Welcome to this week’s edition of #ElevatingNews, where we cut through the noise and spotlight what’s actually shaping the ESG and sustainability landscape – across markets, policy, culture, and capital.
This week was a masterclass in contrasts. While some governments pulled back on ESG rules, others doubled down on bold climate action and sustainable finance. Meanwhile, fashion and music brands quietly expanded the edges of circularity, proving sustainability can go mainstream without losing momentum.
Let’s break it down.
🌍 Policy & Regulation
- France Senate Passes Fast Fashion Crackdown Law
France approved a landmark bill targeting ultra-fast fashion. The law includes stricter environmental labeling, advertising bans, and financial penalties for low-cost, high-volume apparel retailers. It’s the strongest regulatory response to date against fashion’s “quantity over quality” model and could ripple across the EU. Note that the government still needs to notify the European Commission of the vote, and will then need to set up a joint committee to reach a compromise between the Senate and lower house versions of the law before it is implemented. Read more→ - European Commission Reportedly Drops Anti-Greenwashing Rule
In a controversial move, the European Commission has reportedly decided to scrap its long-awaited “Green Claims Directive”, which aimed to regulate how companies communicate environmental claims. Critics argue this leaves a dangerous vacuum in consumer protection as greenwashing risks grow. Note that it is very unusual for the Commission to withdraw a legislative proposal and only happens if the co-legislators are not able to find a consensus, or if the Commission believes that compromise doesn’t respect the original idea of the law. The decision to withdraw the legislation would still need to be approved by the College of Commissioners. Read more→
- SEC Withdraws Proposed ESG & Shareholder Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission withdrew two proposed rules -one on ESG disclosures and another on shareholder submissions. This signals a cooling of regulatory momentum in the U.S., especially amid political pressure and legal challenges. Read more→ - European Commission Reportedly Drops Anti-Greenwashing Rule
Australia has released its first national sustainable finance taxonomy, providing market participants with a common language for green and transition investments. It aligns with international frameworks while recognizing national sectoral realities. Read more→
📈 Sustainable Finance & Investment
- CDPQ Unveils 2025–2030 Climate Strategy
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), one of the world’s largest institutional investors, launched its updated climate strategy. It includes targets for reducing portfolio emissions, scaling up climate solution investments, and advancing transition finance. After exceeding its climate targets at the end of 2024, La Caisse aims to reach $400 billion in climate action investments by 2030. Read more→ - Octopus Energy Launches Landmark Africa Clean Energy Fund
UK-based Octopus Energy announced a new fund to invest in distributed renewable energy across Africa. The goal is to accelerate access to clean electricity, support local entrepreneurs, and help close the continent’s energy equity gap. Africa’s energy market is one of the fastest-growing globally, driven by an unmatched abundance of sunshine and wind. The launch of OEPA is the next step in Octopus’ mission to bring affordable, green energy to more people globally, and comes hot off the heels of its investment in MOPO – a solar battery innovator powering off-grid homes and businesses to accelerate clean energy access across Africa. Read more→
⚙️ Corporate Action & Circular Innovation
- Norway Launches World’s First Full CCS Value Chain
Norway has launched the world’s first end-to-end commercial carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain – from industrial site to offshore storage. It’s a milestone for scaling heavy industry decarbonization and could serve as a blueprint for hard-to-abate sectors globally. Read more→
- Mango and Renewcell’s Circulose Partner on Textile Recycling
Spanish fashion brand Mango has teamed up with Renewcell’s Circulose to develop recycled textiles made from post-consumer garments. The collaboration supports Mango’s circularity targets and gives a second life to cotton garments through innovative pulp-based fiber regeneration. Read more→
- Coldplay to Reissue Albums on Vinyl Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
In a blend of climate awareness and cultural influence, Coldplay announced it will reissue classic albums on records made entirely from recycled PET bottles. Produced by Evolution Music, the vinyls reduce emissions by 85% compared to traditional LPs. Read more→
That’s a wrap on this week’s #ElevatingNews!
Policy shifts. Creative circularity. And the slow, steady rise of climate-aligned finance. The transition is still in motion, but the tension between regulation, reputation, and results is becoming harder to ignore. The companies and countries that stay agile and credible will lead the next chapter.
What caught your eye this week?
Let’s keep the conversation going 👇
