Welcome to this week’s edition of #ElevatingNews, where we cut through the noise and spotlight the ESG stories that matter.
This week was about scale, speed, and substance. Europe is simplifying its carbon rules while injecting close to €1B into green hydrogen. Energy majors are pivoting to renewables (with mixed signals), and capital is flowing toward SME decarbonization and ESG capacity-building.
Let’s break it down.
🌍 Policy & Regulation
- EU Parliament Approves Simpler Carbon Border Tool (CBAM)
The European Parliament backed a proposal to streamline the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, making it easier for companies to navigate emissions-related import rules. This simplifies compliance while reinforcing Europe’s stance against carbon leakage, signaling a shift from complexity to clarity. Read more→ - EU Commission Awards €720M to Renewable Hydrogen Projects
Fifteen large-scale green hydrogen initiatives have been selected in the EU’s first Hydrogen Bank auction, unlocking €720 million in public funding to scale clean electrolysis. It’s a critical moment for industrial decarbonization, as the bloc accelerates its hydrogen economy with real capital. Read more→
⚙️ Corporate Action & Innovation
- Aramco Pilots Renewable Energy Storage in Gas Operations
Saudi Aramco has launched a solar-powered battery storage system at one of its gas compression sites – a first in integrating renewables into its core infrastructure. While limited in scale, it’s a clear signal that even fossil players are testing decarbonization tools from within. Read more→ - TotalEnergies Opens Europe’s Largest Solar Field in Spain
TotalEnergies inaugurated its biggest solar farm to date – a massive project in Spain with more than 500 MW of capacity. This not only deepens its renewables footprint but strengthens Spain’s role as a clean energy powerhouse in the EU grid. Read more→ - PepsiCo Revises Packaging Targets, Ups Regenerative Agriculture Goals
PepsiCo scaled back its sustainable packaging commitments citing infrastructure gaps but raised its regenerative agriculture target to cover 7 million acres by 2030. It’s a pragmatic move, trading circularity delays for greater land-use impact. Read more→
📈 Sustainable Finance & Metrics
- BNP Paribas and EIF Sign €200M Fund for SME Decarbonization
A €200 million fund has been launched by the European Investment Fund and BNP Paribas to help SMEs adopt low-carbon technologies. The partnership will finance green equipment, innovation, and energy efficiency improvements – a much-needed boost for smaller players in the net zero race. Read more→ - Singapore Publishes ESG Training Guidebook for Reporting Professionals
Singapore has released a national guidebook to standardize the quality of ESG training for sustainability reporting professionals. It outlines learning outcomes, technical competencies, and trainer expectations, setting a benchmark for Asia’s ESG education ecosystem. Read more→
That’s a wrap on this week’s #ElevatingNews!
Europe is in the path of making climate rules easier to apply. Capital is scaling hydrogen and SME solutions. And slowly, major players are wiring renewables into the backbone of operations. We’re watching the transition grow up, one pragmatic step at a time.
Which of these stories signals the strongest shift for you?
Let’s keep the conversation going 👇
