Here is today’s sustainability, Net Zero and circular economy news, research and analysis. This daily update is designed for technology partners, management consultants, CIOs, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and c-suite members.
Send Us Your News Tips: Got news or chatter to share? Please email me.
Our updates for Friday, March 31, 2023 include…
A. Sustainability and Net-Zero News and Research
1. Research - Small Business ESG Reporting: The proportion of major buying organizations that require their suppliers to disclose ESG information is expected to reach 92% in 2024, according to research from BDC, a bank that positions itself for Canadian entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, one-third of SME suppliers that do not currently need to report on ESG believe they will have to do so within the next five years, the report found.
2. Talent - Energy Management: KULR Technology Group, which develops an energy management platform for sustainable electricity, has hired Shawn Canter as CFO.
3. Wind Power - Manufacturing: Mercedes-Benz has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Spain's Iberdrola for 140 megawatts (MW) of wind energy from a Baltic Sea wind park, part of automakers' push to make production costs more predictable, Reuters said.
4. Reorganization - Fossil & Sustainable Energy: Shell is splitting up its renewables and low-carbon division as part of CEO Wael Sawan's shake-up to boost the energy giant's returns, Reuters reported.
5. Carbon Credit Debate: A widely touted effort to clean up the embattled carbon-offsets market has been met with disappointment among experts, Bloomberg Reported. The new guidelines from the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, released following three years of work, present incremental improvements to a system that allows corporations and individuals to pay for credits that compensate for their climate damage, Bloomberg added. Still, it remains to be seen how carbon crediting organizations adopt the ICVCM’s standards, The Wall Street Journal reported.
B. Sustainability and Net-Zero Government Policies
1. The Philippines - Offshore Wind Power: The Philippines' Department of Energy signed three contracts with a Danish fund manager for offshore wind energy development projects with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatts, Reuters reported. There will be a 25-year operating period for the service contracts with Copenhagen Infrastructure New Markets Fund (CINMF), which is the first foreign firm allowed to have a 100% interest in Philippine offshore wind energy, Reuters said.
2. United Nations - Climate Change Policy: The United Nations General Assembly voted to pass a resolution asking the world's top court to define the obligations of states to combat climate change, a legal opinion that could drive countries to take stronger measures and clarify international law, Reuters reported.
C. Sustainability Funding, Financing, Mergers & Acquisitions
Nothing to see here today. Move along. Move along.
D. Sustainability Partnerships, Alliances and Associations
1. Higher Education: Humber College of Toronto, Canada, is partnering with Siemens Canada to develop a Sustainable Microgrid and Renewable Technology Lab (SMART Lab) at its North Campus. The SMART Lab is an "educational and experimental environment designed to train students and professionals in the use of a microgrid system and to conduct research with industry partners," the organizations said.
E. Sustainability Conferences, Summits and Events Calendar
Here are five upcoming sustainability conferences and ESG events for business and technology partners:
Bonus: See our complete Sustainability Conference Calendar here
F. Send Us Your News Tips
Got news tips, research or data to share? Please email me the details.
