Anna Stacey

The EU’s goal of cutting vehicle CO2 emissions to zero by 2035 is no longer achievable, industry leaders warned. Meanwhile, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance has paused activities after an exodus of members including HSBC, Barclays, and UBS.

The European Central Bank faces calls to toughen climate-risk penalties. Meanwhile, UN negotiations to finalise the world’s first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution collapsed after three years of talks.

Ford will invest $5 billion to expand its U.S. electric vehicle production and has plans for what will be the most affordable electric pickup truck on the market. Elsewhere, one of the largest nuclear power plants in France has been shut down after a massive jellyfish swarm clogged cooling systems.

Italy has fined fast fashion giant Shein €1 million for making misleading environmental claims on its website. Elsewhere, a database documenting the billion-dollar impact of increasingly severe weather events will be revived this autumn.

Australia is ramping up its renewable energy efforts by expanding its key clean energy investment scheme by 25%. Meanwhile, China's massive coal expansion is sparking alarm, with over 450 new mine projects in development, and 40% already under construction, posing a serious threat to global climate targets.

F1’s climate emissions have dropped 26% since 2018, halfway to its minimum 50% reduction target. Elsewhere, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres urged tech companies to use 100% renewable energy to power data centres by 2030.

Amazon’s emissions grew by 6% in 2024, the first time that they have risen in three years. Meanwhile, in the UK, drivers are being encouraged away from petrol and diesel cars by discounts of up to £3,750 on electric vehicles.

The UK Government is set to ban bosses from using NDAs to silence workers who have been the victim of harassment and discrimination. Meanwhile, T-Mobile US has halted DEI policies to appease the Federal Communications Commission’s Chairman as the company seeks approval for two major deals.

The outgoing chair of Aberdeen Group Douglas Flint claimed asset managers made a “huge mistake” by overstating their role in environment, social and government issues. Meanwhile, Barclays’ head of sustainable and transition finance Daniel Hanna has criticised climate finance practices for falling short on social commitments.

Findings suggest major US corporations are scaling back their climate messaging to tackle competing pressures on ESG disclosures despite upholding their environmental commitments. Meanwhile, Sierra Club, one of the largest environmental organisations in the US, has dropped Blackrock as asset manager due to the company’s refusal to address the systemic financial implications of the climate crisis.