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’s theme is all about strategic pivots. Whether driven by politics, profit, or long-term positioning, we saw a wave of redirection – some bold, some baffling.
Let’s unpack the week.
📉 Policy & Regulation
- UK Scraps Plans for Green Taxonomy
In a major reversal, the UK government has officially abandoned its long-delayed plan to develop a green investment taxonomy – a key tool meant to define what counts as “sustainable” in financial markets. The decision signals a step back from alignment with EU and global efforts, raising concerns about regulatory clarity and investor confidence. Read more→
🧵 Reporting & Standards
- GRI Advances Sector-Specific Standards for Fashion & Textiles
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched a draft of its new Sector Standard for Textiles and Apparel, offering tailored reporting guidance on issues like waste, water use, forced labor, and product end-of-life. The move reflects growing pressure on the fashion industry to improve supply chain transparency and take responsibility for its climate and social impacts. Read more→
⚡ Corporate Moves & Clean Energy Strategy
- Stellantis Pulls Plug on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program
Automaker Stellantis has announced it will discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell R&D program to focus entirely on battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The move comes after several hydrogen pilots failed to scale and underscores an industry-wide shift toward electrification as the most viable decarbonization path for passenger vehicles. Read more→
- BP Exits U.S. Onshore Wind Market
BP has agreed to sell its U.S. onshore wind portfolio to LS Power, in a move that repositions the company’s renewables focus on offshore wind and green hydrogen. The pivot reflects BP’s broader strategy to streamline its low-carbon assets and prioritize areas with stronger synergies and growth potential. Read more→
- Google Signs $3B Hydropower Deal to Power AI Expansion
Google inked the largest-ever corporate hydropower agreement, partnering with Brookfield to secure 3.5 GW of firm clean energy in the U.S. The deal is designed to support the company’s AI data center growth while keeping its net-zero goals intact. It’s a milestone for corporate energy procurement and for hydropower’s role in 24/7 carbon-free electricity. Read more→
That’s a wrap on this week’s #ElevatingNews!
From taxonomies scrapped to hydrogen dropped and hydropower scaled, this week made one thing clear: the path to net zero isn’t linear, but it’s never dull.
Which pivot caught your attention?
Let’s keep the conversation going! 👇
