News in the spotlight: CO₂ Capture Breakthrough -Prometheus Slashes Direct Air Capture Costs by 80%
According to Prometheus, reducing the cost of CO₂ capture could significantly improve the economic viability of the technology in industrial applications. Independent analysts note that this development may influence the pace of adoption of e-fuel-based solutions.
Products and Services
J.P. Morgan Mansart Launches Global ESG Equity Fund Tracking New Index
J.P. Morgan Mansart has launched a global equity fund designed to track a newly developed sustainability index. The index includes companies meeting specific ESG performance criteria across sectors, aiming to balance environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance standards. The fund targets institutional investors seeking diversified exposure to firms with strong sustainability credentials. Its launch comes amid rising scrutiny of ESG-labelled products, with regulators and investors demanding greater transparency on methodologies and real-world impact. By tying the fund’s portfolio directly to a defined index, the bank seeks to provide measurable benchmarks for performance. Analysts suggest the product may appeal to asset managers looking to align investments with ESG goals without relying on bespoke screening processes. However, success will hinge on the index’s credibility and the market’s confidence in its selection criteria (source: jpmorganmansart.com).
CO₂ Capture Breakthrough: Prometheus Slashes Direct Air Capture Costs by 80%
Prometheus, a climate technology company, has announced a major breakthrough in direct air capture (DAC) technology, claiming an 80% reduction in costs compared to current market rates. The advance could make large-scale CO₂ removal significantly more viable, addressing one of the main barriers to deploying DAC — its high expense. Lower costs could accelerate the adoption of synthetic fuels, which rely on captured carbon as a feedstock, and help industries transition away from fossil fuels. While details on the proprietary technology remain limited, the company suggests its process uses less energy and cheaper materials than conventional systems. Industry analysts caution that cost claims will need independent verification and that scaling the technology to meet global carbon removal targets remains a challenge. Nevertheless, if proven, this development could reshape the economics of carbon removal and bolster climate mitigation strategies (source: bussinesswire.com).
New Free Tool Lets You Compare High-Integrity Carbon Credits Side-by-Side
A new free interactive platform has been launched to help users compare the quality of carbon credits, with a focus on high-integrity offsets. Developed by Carbon Compared, the tool aims to address a growing need for transparency in the voluntary carbon market, where credits can vary widely in their climate impact and verification standards. Users can view and contrast projects based on metrics such as permanence, additionality, and leakage risk. The initiative comes amid increasing scrutiny of offsetting claims by corporations, as watchdogs and researchers highlight the prevalence of credits that fail to deliver promised climate benefits. By making data more accessible, the tool could empower buyers to make informed purchasing decisions and put pressure on lower-quality projects to improve standards. Industry observers note that while the tool will not solve all issues in the offset market, it represents a step toward greater accountability and market integrity (source: carboncredits.com).
Lenovo Launches TruScale DaaS to Cut Carbon and Drive Circular IT
Lenovo has introduced TruScale Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) for Sustainability, a subscription-based model designed to reduce carbon emissions and encourage circularity in IT hardware use. Under the scheme, organizations lease devices that are refurbished, reused, or recycled at the end of their lifecycle, reducing e-waste and the need for new manufacturing. The program also incorporates carbon footprint reporting, allowing clients to track emissions associated with their devices. Lenovo positions the service as a response to growing corporate demand for greener IT solutions, but analysts note it also aligns with a broader trend toward service-based hardware models. Environmental advocates have welcomed the move but stress that emissions from device production remain significant and that reducing demand for new electronics is key. The initiative highlights how technology providers are adapting their business models to meet sustainability goals while responding to evolving customer expectations (source: lenovo.com).
Regulations, Law and Frameworks
China Overhauls Green Taxonomy to Boost Energy Transition Finance
China has announced a major revision to its green taxonomy — the official classification system defining which investments qualify as environmentally sustainable. The update aims to channel more capital into the country’s energy transition by broadening eligible categories and tightening criteria for projects that claim “green” status. Key changes include clearer guidelines for low-carbon technologies, expanded coverage of renewable energy infrastructure, and stricter exclusion of coal-related projects. The move aligns with China’s pledge to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, while also responding to international investor calls for greater transparency and alignment with global standards. Analysts suggest the overhaul could unlock billions in new green financing, though the impact will depend on enforcement and investor confidence in the classification. Critics warn that overly broad criteria risk enabling greenwashing, underscoring the importance of robust verification mechanisms alongside the revised taxonomy (source: greencentralbanking.com).
Switzerland Taps BeZero for Article 6 Carbon Credit Risk Assessments
The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment has selected BeZero Carbon to conduct risk assessments of carbon credits traded under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. These credits, generated through international cooperation, are intended to help countries meet their climate targets while maintaining environmental integrity. BeZero will provide independent ratings evaluating the quality, permanence, and potential risks associated with the credits Switzerland plans to purchase. The decision comes as Article 6 mechanisms move closer to full implementation, amid concerns over inconsistent standards and market credibility. By engaging a third-party assessor, Switzerland aims to ensure that its carbon credit portfolio delivers genuine climate benefits and avoids reputational risks. Experts note that such measures could set a precedent for other nations seeking to use international carbon markets without undermining overall emission reduction efforts (source: bezerocarbon.com).
ESG Data & Analytics
Meta, Georgia Tech & Cusp AI Release AI-Powered Dataset for Carbon Removal Breakthroughs
Meta, in collaboration with Georgia Tech and Cusp AI, has released an open-access dataset designed to accelerate research in carbon removal technologies. The AI-powered resource combines high-resolution chemical and material data, enabling scientists to model and predict the effectiveness of different carbon capture approaches. By making this information freely available, the project aims to foster innovation across academia, startups, and industry. The dataset is expected to support breakthroughs in direct air capture, biochar production, and other negative-emission solutions. This initiative comes at a time when carbon removal is gaining recognition as an essential tool for achieving net-zero goals, complementing emissions reductions. Researchers welcome the move, but emphasize that translating data insights into scalable technologies will require sustained funding and cross-sector collaboration. The partnership reflects a growing trend of tech companies contributing resources to climate science (source: carbonherald.com).
Blackstone Acquires Energy Data Leader Enverus in Major ESG Analytics Deal
Blackstone has announced the acquisition of Enverus, a leading provider of energy sector data and analytics, in a deal positioned to strengthen the firm’s ESG-focused investment capabilities. Enverus specializes in tracking oil, gas, and renewable energy markets, offering tools for forecasting, operational efficiency, and risk management. While the company’s roots are in fossil fuel analytics, it has increasingly expanded into clean energy and transition-related datasets. The acquisition signals the growing value of energy intelligence in navigating the shift toward low-carbon economies. Blackstone plans to integrate Enverus’s capabilities into its broader investment strategy, potentially enhancing portfolio management and due diligence processes. Market watchers note that the deal underscores both the financial potential of ESG analytics and the competitive pressure among investment firms to secure high-quality data sources in the race toward sustainable finance leadership (source: blackstone.com).
Net Zero Commitments
UBS Exits Net-Zero Banking Alliance in Major Setback for Climate Finance
Swiss bank UBS has withdrawn from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), citing an internal review of its sustainability commitments and industry memberships. The NZBA, part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, commits members to aligning lending and investment portfolios with net-zero emissions by 2050. UBS’s exit follows similar moves by other major banks, raising concerns about the alliance’s cohesion and long-term influence. Supporters of the NZBA see the withdrawal as a blow to coordinated climate finance efforts, particularly given the role of large banks in funding the energy transition. Critics of the alliance, however, argue that its targets are vague and that banks retain too much flexibility in meeting them. UBS has stated it remains committed to supporting clients’ transition to a low-carbon economy but will pursue these goals outside the NZBA framework, prompting questions about accountability and transparency (source: ubs.com).
Bank Australia Expands Nature Lending as a Growth Opportunity
Bank Australia has announced plans to significantly grow its “nature lending” portfolio, which finances projects aimed at protecting and restoringnatural ecosystems. The bank views the sector as both a business opportunity and a way to integrate biodiversity into mainstream lending practices. Current initiatives include loans for regenerative agriculture, habitat restoration, and conservation-focused enterprises.
The expansion aligns with rising investor and regulatory interest in
nature-related financial disclosures, as highlighted by the Taskforce on
Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Supporters say such lending can deliver dual benefits: generating returns while enhancing ecosystem resilience. However, scaling the model will depend on building a pipeline of bankable projects and managing the complexity of valuing nature-based outcomes. The move reflects a broader shift in sustainable finance, where biodiversity is emerging as a critical focus alongside climate change (source: bankaust.com).
ESG- and Green Bond Issuances
Standard Chartered Partners with Brazilian State to Finance Rainforest Protection
Standard Chartered has entered into a partnership with the Brazilian state of Acre to sell carbon credits generated from jurisdictional forestry projects over the next five years. The credits are intended to support rainforest conservation and sustainable land use, offering a revenue stream that incentivizes environmental stewardship. This marks the bank’s first subnational-level agreement in Brazil and reflects growing interest in jurisdictional approaches to carbon markets, which operate at the scale of entire regions rather than individual projects. Proponents argue this can deliver more comprehensive and verifiable results in reducing deforestation. The deal comes as scrutiny of carbon credits intensifies, with calls for higher quality and transparency. While financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement signals confidence in large-scale forestry-based climate solutions as a viable part of corporate and governmental decarbonization strategies (source: sc.com).
Nature Bonds Gain Momentum: Mizuho Calls It a ‘Natural Next Step’
Japanese bank Mizuho has declared the development of “nature bonds” a logical progression in sustainable finance following the country’s inaugural issuance by Nagoya City. Nature bonds are a sub-category of sustainable bonds designed to fund projects that protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, or manage natural resources sustainably. Interest in the instrument is rising as investors seek to align portfolios with both climate and biodiversity goals. Mizuho reports strong demand from domestic and international buyers, framing the bond type as a strategic growth area. However, experts caution that robust criteria and monitoring will be essential to avoid greenwashing. The move is part of a broader trend in Asia and globally, where financial products targeting nature-positive outcomes are gaining traction alongside more established green and social bonds (source: mizuhogroup.com).
Taiwan Issues First Biodiversity-Linked Sustainable Bond
Chunghwa Telecom has issued Taiwan’s first sustainable bond to include biodiversity projects, raising TWD 3.5 billion (USD 117 million). Proceeds will finance initiatives such as habitat preservation, ecological restoration, and pollution prevention, alongside traditional green infrastructure investments. The bond reflects growing recognition that biodiversity loss is an urgent environmental crisis comparable to climate change. Taiwan’s financial regulators have encouraged such innovations to diversify the sustainable finance market and meet investor demand for nature-positive investments. Market observers note that linking bonds to biodiversity outcomes is still rare globally, making this issuance a noteworthy development. As with other thematic bonds, the credibility of environmental benefits will depend on transparent reporting and measurable impacts. If successful, the model could inspire similar issuances in other markets seeking to address biodiversity through capital markets (source: tpex.com).