United Nations COP26 summit News

Where Do Climate Pledges Stand a Year After COP26?

A year ago at the U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, countries, banks and business leaders announced a slew of climate plans and pledges. Here is an update on how some of the biggest promises have since progressed. NATIONAL EMISSIONS …

Britain to Write Rules Forcing Companies to Publish Plans for Net Zero Transition

Britain unveiled a new taskforce on Monday to write rules forcing financial firms and listed companies to publish plans from next year for transitioning to a net zero economy by 2050. Last November at the COP26 UN Climate Summit, British …

New Global Standard Setter for Corporate Sustainability Drafts 1st Guidelines

A new global standard setter for company sustainability reporting set out its first draft guidelines on Thursday [March 31], entering a crowded field as trillions of dollars pour into investments marketed as “green.” The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) published …

U.N. to Hold Companies to Their Net-Zero Pledges With Group of 16 Experts

The United Nations on Thursday announced the members of an expert group that will scrutinize corporate pledges to achieve net-zero emissions, an effort to prevent greenwashing as private sector climate plans proliferate. U.N. Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres said the group of …

Climate Change Litigation: Why Better Disclosure Is Vital as Cases Rise

With the effects of climate change becoming more palpable, a rise in climate litigation cases could have significant financial and reputational repercussions for corporates. Thomas Englerth, associate director at S&P Global Ratings, explores how the potential risks associated with this …

Container Shipping Giant Maersk Speeds Up Decarbonization Target by a Decade

COPENHAGEN – Container shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk now plans to achieve net zero emissions in its business by 2040, a decade earlier than previously announced, on the back of rising customer demand for green transportation and technical leaps. With about …

Global Shipping Industry Faces Growing Pressure to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ocean freight costs are likely to remain high in 2022 as investors and regulators scramble to accelerate decarbonization of the shipping industry and companies grapple with green financing, sources say. Shipping, which transports about 90% of world trade and accounts …

This Year’s 10 Worst Climate Disasters Cost $170 Billion: Study

Ten of this year’s most destructive weather events cost a combined $170 billion in damages, according to a new study. Hurricane Ida, a tropical storm that pummeled much of the eastern U.S. with lashing rain in August, killed at least …

Leading Marine Re/Insurers Join Push to Decarbonize Global Shipping

Leading companies in the marine insurance industry have joined an initiative linking their underwriting activities with the cutting of carbon emissions from global shipping as pressure builds on the sector to go fully green. Last month countries including the United …

Update: Zurich Insurance Will No Longer Underwrite New Oil Exploration Projects

Zurich Insurance Group will no longer underwrite new greenfield oil exploration projects, Europe’s fifth-largest insurer said on Thursday in an investor day presentation that sought to burnish its green credentials. It also committed to a full phase-out of thermal coal …