Today’s ESG Updates
- Microsoft & Carbon Direct: Released new science-based standards for ocean carbon removal, promoting scalable, high-integrity ESG solutions.
- Greece’s €5.75B Green Push: Major investment in solar, hydrogen, and cleantech to create 22,000 jobs and power a renewable future.
- Australia Cyberattacks: 20,000+ pension accounts breached; cybersecurity flagged as urgent ESG risk.
- Market Turmoil: Trade tensions deepen; firms lean on ESG strategies to build resilience and attract investors.
Microsoft & Carbon Direct Set Gold Standard for Ocean Carbon Removal
Carbon Direct and Microsoft have released new science-based criteria to guide high-quality, scalable marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). These standards emphasize environmental integrity, social impact, monitoring, and long-term durability. With the IPCC estimating that up to 1000 GtCO₂ must be removed by 2100, the guidelines ensure responsible deployment of mCDR technologies. Updated annually, they support safe, transparent, and effective projects that align with global climate goals and promote high-integrity carbon credit purchases and ecosystem protection; companies can use ESG solutions.
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Further reading: Microsoft, Carbon Direct Set New Standards for High-Quality Marine Carbon Removal
Greece Powers Ahead: €5.75 Billion Green Energy Push to Boost Jobs and Clean Tech
Greece’s Public Power Corporation (PPC) will invest €5.75 billion to create a green energy and technology hub in Western Macedonia, generating 20,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent roles. Key plans include €1.2 billion in solar parks on former mining sites, a €2.3 billion data centre, €940 million in energy storage, and converting the Ptolemaida 5 plant to gas. PPC also partners to develop Greece’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen unit in Amyntaio, accelerating clean energy goals.
Photo Credit: Wikicommons
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Further reading: Greece’s Western Region to Get $6.4B for Green Energy Shift
Major Cyber Attacks Hit Australian Pension Funds, Over 20,000 Accounts Compromised
Hackers have targeted Australia’s major pension funds, compromising over 20,000 accounts and stealing funds from members, including A$500,000 from four AustralianSuper accounts. The government is coordinating a response, with agencies and regulators involved. AustralianSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, Rest Super, Insignia Financial, and Hostplus were all impacted. Rest shut down its portal after detecting unauthorized activity, while others locked affected accounts. Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the growing threat, noting cyberattacks occur every six minutes in Australia.
Photo Credit: KeepCoding
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Further Reading: Hackers strike Australia’s largest pension funds in coordinated attacks
Market Turmoil Deepens as Trade Tensions Mount and Rate Cut Bets Rise
Global markets tumbled as Asia’s Nikkei dropped 3%, marking a 9.6% weekly loss—its worst since March 2020. U.S. futures fell, and European markets followed suit. The dollar slid sharply amid escalating U.S. trade tensions, sparking investor fears over policy unpredictability. Tariffs on allies and adversaries have rattled confidence, with companies like Apple facing major cost hikes. Investors now expect nearly 100 basis points in Fed rate cuts, anticipating a recession over inflation. All eyes turn to Powell’s speech. Businesses are embracing ESG solutions to boost resilience and attract sustainable investment
Photo Credit: Wikicommons
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Further reading: Morning Bid: Wall Street has most to lose from trust lost
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Wikicommons
