Sustainability weekly update

Corporate & policy Leadership

BBC Focuses on Climate Action
The BBC is committed to halving emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050. They’re integrating climate themes into shows like Blue Planet and Top Gear to raise environmental awareness.

BBVA Sets Sustainability Record
BBVA hit a new high, channeling €26 billion into sustainable business in Q2 2024, with a total of €46 billion for the first half of the year, driven by growth in renewable energy and cleantech finance.

UK to Regulate ESG Ratings
The UK will propose new laws in 2024 to regulate ESG rating providers, aiming to improve transparency and strengthen its role in sustainable finance.

Investors See Climate Action Essential
Despite anti-ESG sentiment, most investors still view climate action as key to business success, linking environmental responsibility with financial performance.

Innovation & technology

Nissan’s Cool Paint Technology
Nissan is testing a new paint that lowers vehicle cabin temperatures by up to 9°F, reducing energy use for air conditioning.

MIT’s Hydrogen Fuel Breakthrough
MIT engineers developed a sustainable method to produce hydrogen fuel using aluminum, seawater, and coffee grounds, potentially lowering carbon emissions.

Paris Olympic Pool Heated by Data Center
The Paris Olympic pool used for artistic swimming and diving is heated using waste heat from a nearby data center, showcasing an innovative approach to energy efficiency.

Environmental impact & solutions

Paris Olympics Goes Plant-Based
The 2024 Paris Olympics doubled its plant-based food offerings, making it the most vegan-friendly Games ever, with 80% of products sourced from within France.

Reusable Packaging at Paris Olympics
The Paris Olympics replaced single-use beverage cups with reusable ones, demonstrating large-scale waste reduction and inspiring global interest in similar systems.

Ancient Techniques for Modern Floods
Asian cities are adopting ancient agricultural techniques like rice terraces to manage flooding, with innovative designs helping urban areas absorb and purify rainwater.

Global risks & challenges

Extreme Heat Threatens Global Workforce
A UN report warns that over 2.4 billion workers are at risk from extreme heat, with heatwaves predicted to claim 1.6 million lives by 2050.

Climate Change Behind Paris Olympic Heatwaves
WWA analysis shows that the extreme temperatures at the Paris 2024 Olympics would have been much cooler without human-induced climate change, highlighting the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel use.

Market trends & investments

Pivot Energy & Microsoft Solar Partnership
Pivot Energy and Microsoft are partnering to develop 500 MW of community-scale solar projects across the U.S., aiming to cut emissions and benefit local communities.

Private Equity Drives Impact Investing
Private equity is leading growth in impact investing, with major firms like KKR and TPG making significant commitments to sustainability, driving the market to $495.82 billion in 2023.

RMI’s Clean Growth Tool
RMI launched the Clean Growth Tool to identify U.S. regions best suited for cleantech manufacturing and investment, spotlighting areas like Arizona and Michigan for their potential in solar, batteries, and EV industries.

 illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.