New pension rules requiring providers to disclose environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations “is not enough” to protect savers from the risks posed by climate change, according to UKSIF chief executive, Simon Howard.

In a Paris forum, 23 developing countries representing 26 per cent of global GDP and 43 per cent of global carbon emissions are creating a new model for advancing clean energy investment.

Rio Tinto has rejected the idea of setting emission reduction targets for its customers, citing the lack of real control that the company can have over its clients, especially when considering Scope 3 emissions that are indirect.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Shell has stated that it aims to become a major electricity company.

Insurers Mapfre and Uniqa have announced that they are adopting policies to stop or limit insuring coal. With the addition of these two, the total number of insurers now taking action against coal has reached ten.

BNP Paribas Asset Management has announced it will implement an enhanced coal-exclusion policy, accelerating its commitment to tackling climate change by divesting from the single largest source of carbon emissions.

UK insurers hold over £1.8tr in invested assets, and there are also trillions more managed by investment firms and banks. At the moment, only around 1.2 per cent of all these assets under management in the UK are invested in ESG assets.

The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) is partnering with Hermes EOS to provide engagement services to its clients and members.

BlackRock has launched a sustainable ETF range with six new ESG funds that also target a 30 per cent carbon reduction.

The UK car market made a slight recovery last month with 81,969 new vehicles registered in February, up 1.4 per cent from a year earlier according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

IKEA’s SolarVille project has used a model town to evaluate how solar energy systems linked by microgrids and blockchain can open new opportunities, potentially allowing people ‘leapfrog’ the traditional electricity grid.

Greene King has partnered Too Good to Go, an app designed to help businesses reduce food waste across the country, by offering customers surplus carveries at a discount at the end of the day.

Eni, the Italian energy company has said that it will embark on a major tree planting programme as part of its efforts to become net zero by 2030.

Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms generated more electricity than any other source, providing 35.6 per cent, compared to 31.2 per cent by gas, 21.3 per cent by nuclear, 6.7 per cent by biomass, 2.6 per cent by coal, 1.8 per cent by hydro and 0.8 per cent from other sources, between 8 and 14 March 2019, according to data supplied by independent analysts Aurora Energy Research.

British Swimwear brand MARU has announced a partnership with the charity Level Water and will provide equipment and instructors, as well as having dedicated ‘donation weeks’, to help the charity provide specialist one-to-one swimming lessons for children with physical and/or sensory disabilities.

At a recent event at the House of Commons, Microsoft presented research on the impact of its apprenticeship programme. The study, which was comprised of interviews and online surveys, found that as well as providing valuable skills and experience to those enrolled in apprenticeships there were also substantial benefits for businesses, too.

Software group Sage has announced the completion of its US$1 million fundraising effort, and a new intention to double this target.

BREEAM, the sustainability assessment method for projects, infrastructure and buildings, has introduced a pre-approval process for its schemes. The new process enables a general specification that is applicable to multiple projects to be evaluated by BRE Global up-front and at a single point in time.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s First Global Commitment report reveals details of industry and government efforts to tackle plastic waste and pollution and includes for the first time data from some major companies including Carrefour, Colgate Palmolive, MARS, Incorporated, Nestlé, SC Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company, and Unilever.

The European Commission has finally delivered a verdict on biofuel produced from palm oil, concluding that the cultivation of palm oil, mostly undertaken in Indonesia and Malaysia, results in excessive deforestation and should not be eligible to count toward EU renewable transport targets.

This year’s award shortlist has been announced, with a mix of major companies, community-focused organisations, partnering charities and innovative ideas.

Shell is planning to reduce carbon emissions from its operations and sales by 2 per cent to 3 per cent by 2021 relative to 2016.

The Dutch government is to tax companies on their carbon emissions in an attempt to kerb outputs that are allowing the country to fall short of its targets.

The PRA and FCA have hosted the first meeting of the Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF) with the objective of sharing best practice in responses to the financial risks from climate change.

The Government has announced that there are now over 800,000 employees in the UK are now covered by the Women in Finance Charter, with 30 new companies signing up to the plan.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has issued a proclamation that businesses wanting to secure government contracts will need to show that they can also improve society, such as helping address modern slavery or climate change.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined The Carphone Warehouse £29m for its Geek Squad, a mobile phone insurance and technical support product. This follows an FCA investigation which stemmed from whistleblowing reports.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond is expected to use the Spring Statement to unveil a set of green measures.

The new Offshore Wind Sector should triple the number of highly-skilled jobs in the green sector by 2030 and place the UK as a global leader in renewables.

The Church Investors Group (CIG) has informed FTSE 350 companies, ahead of this year’s AGM season, that it will be taking a tougher voting line where it believes reform on key issues is deemed to be too slow.