ESG News

Weekly ESG Update 04/2025 (20.01. – 26.01.)

News in the spotlight: NatureAlpha appoints Laura Segafredo as Chief Growth Officer

NatureAlpha, a provider of biodiversity and nature risk analytics, has appointed Laura Segafredo as Chief Growth Officer to lead the firm’s index solutions and strategic initiatives.

Regulatory & Law

TNFD issues new sector guidance

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has published its second set of sector-specific guidance, covering Apparel, Beverages, Construction Materials, and Real Estate, to help companies manage and disclose nature-related risks. This brings the total number of sectors with TNFD guidance to 13. The guidance aligns with TNFD’s LEAP framework (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, and Prepare) and includes sector-specific disclosure metrics. Draft guidance for Fishing, Marine Transportation, and Water Utilities is open for consultation until April 2025. TNFD now supports industries representing 50% of the Sustainable Industry Classification System and is used by over 500 organizations globally. By tailoring guidance to specific industries, TNFD enhances the ability of businesses to address sector-specific risks and opportunities. These efforts aim to advance global sustainability reporting and support nature-positive outcomes (source: tnfd.global).

Platform on Sustainable Finance publishes report on assessing corporate transition plans

The European Commission’s Platform on Sustainable Finance has released a report titled “Building Trust in Transition: Core Elements for Assessing Corporate Transition Plans,” aiming to guide financial market participants (FMPs) in evaluating corporate strategies for aligning with the EU’s environmental objectives and the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. The report identifies four key components for assessing corporate transition plans:

  1. Science-Based and Time-Bound Targets: Companies should set greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets that are aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, covering all emission scopes (1, 2, and 3), with interim goals leading up to 2050.
  2. Decarbonization Levers and Actions: Firms need to outline specific strategies and actions to achieve these targets, including plans for phasing out fossil fuels and avoiding investments that could lock in carbon-intensive practices.
  3. Financial Planning: Transition plans should detail the financial investments and funding mechanisms supporting the proposed actions, ensuring alignment between financial allocations and decarbonization objectives.
  4. Governance and Oversight: Effective governance structures must be in place to oversee the implementation of the transition plan, including clear roles for board members and mechanisms for stakeholder engagement.

The report emphasizes the importance of integrating broader environmental and social considerations into transition plans to ensure a holistic and just transition. It also provides recommendations to the European Commission, such as developing sector-specific transition pathways and offering guidance on selecting credible scenarios for target-setting.

This guidance aims to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of corporate transition plans, thereby facilitating the mobilization of private finance towards sustainable investments and supporting the EU’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 (source: finance.ec.eruropa.eu).

ESG Data & Analytics

EcoVadis introduces CSRD questionnaire to simplify supply chain data collection

EcoVadis has introduced a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) questionnaire to assist companies in navigating complex supply chain disclosure requirements. Aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, the questionnaire covers mandatory supply chain data necessitating direct supplier input. It is available as a paid add-on for enterprise procurement teams using EcoVadis’ IQ Plus with Vitals, while suppliers can complete it free of charge. The tool enables procurement and compliance teams to engage suppliers effectively, aggregate supply chain data, and generate audit-ready CSRD reports based on trusted information. This initiative aims to simplify the reporting process, ensuring companies comply confidently with evolving sustainability regulations.

Products & Services

Emerging markets climate fund of EIB and Allianz Global Investors reaches funding target of €450 million

The Emerging Markets Climate Action Fund (EMCAF), co-established by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Allianz Global Investors, has successfully reached its target size of €450 million. This fund is dedicated to financing climate-focused projects in emerging markets, aiming to mitigate climate change and promote environmental sustainability. The EMCAF will invest in a diversified portfolio of initiatives, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate-related sectors, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The collaboration between the EIB and Allianz Global Investors underscores the growing commitment within the financial services industry to mobilize capital for sustainable development in regions that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. By channeling investments into these critical areas, the fund seeks to generate both positive environmental outcomes and attractive financial returns for its investors.

The successful capitalization of the EMCAF reflects a broader trend of increasing private sector involvement in climate finance, highlighting the pivotal role that financial institutions play in addressing global environmental challenges. This initiative not only aligns with international climate goals but also demonstrates the potential for public-private partnerships to drive meaningful progress in sustainable development (source: eib.com).

Scottish Widows and Robeco announced strategic partnership

Scottish Widows has announced a strategic partnership with asset management firm Robeco to enhance its responsible investment initiatives. This collaboration aims to integrate Robeco’s expertise in sustainable investing into Scottish Widows’ investment strategies, thereby strengthening their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The partnership is expected to bolster Scottish Widows’ efforts in promoting sustainability within the financial services industry.

In 2025, the partnership will focus on two initial priorities. The first is the co-design and creation of new customized equity indices for developed and emerging markets, embedding responsible investment principles at their core. These bespoke indices will incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) tilts aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and various forward-looking climate measures, while fully applying Scottish Widows’ exclusions policy. The resulting Robeco-Scottish Widows indices will be implemented across Scottish Widows’ investment offerings for UK pension savers, ensuring that responsible investing becomes a standard feature.

Additionally, Scottish Widows will collaborate closely with Robeco’s sustainable investing center of excellence to co-publish analyses and papers on priority themes such as the energy transition, nature, and deforestation. This joint thought leadership aims to further refine Scottish Widows’ responsible investment approach and inform their forthcoming Climate Action Plan, scheduled for publication later this year (source: scottishwidows.co.uk).

BNP Paribas Solar Impulse Venture Fund raised €172m

BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) has announced the final close of its BNP Paribas Solar Impulse Venture Fund (BNPP SIVF), surpassing its target by raising €172 million. This fund, a collaboration between BNPP AM and Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse Foundation, aims to invest in approximately 15 high-potential growth startups across Europe and North America. The fund focuses on sectors pivotal to the ecological transition, including energy, sustainable agriculture and food, circular economy, biodiversity, smart cities, sustainable mobility, and industrial innovation. The fund’s initial investments encompass a range of innovative companies:

  1. NatureMetrics: A UK-based startup specializing in biodiversity measurement and monitoring through environmental DNA samples.
  2. Phenix: A French scale-up dedicated to reducing food and non-food waste within the circular economy framework.
  3. Axioma: A French bio-solutions startup aiming to advance sustainable agriculture by mitigating plant hydric stress.
  4. Hello Watt: A French energy renovation platform simplifying and enhancing accessibility for homeowners.
  5. Chemix: A US tech company revolutionizing next-generation battery design using a GenAI-powered self-driving lab.

Yann Lagalaye, Managing Partner of BNPP SIVF, expressed enthusiasm about exceeding the initial target in a challenging funding environment and highlighted the fund’s commitment to supporting leading climate tech companies in accelerating the global ecological transition. Bertrand Piccard, Founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation, emphasized the fund’s role in combining environmental leadership with tangible impact and financial returns, underscoring the importance of private capital in driving sustainable innovation. 

This development reflects the financial industry’s increasing dedication to fostering sustainable growth and addressing climate change through strategic investments in innovative technologies (source: mediaroom-en.bnpparibas-am.com).

Leadership Announcements

NatureAlpha appoints Laura Segafredo as Chief Growth Officer

NatureAlpha, a provider of biodiversity and nature risk analytics, has appointed Laura Segafredo as Chief Growth Officer to lead the firm’s index solutions and strategic initiatives. Segafredo brings two decades of experience in sustainable finance, including eight years at BlackRock as Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainable Product & Portfolio Research, where she advanced the firm’s global sustainability commitments.

Her prior roles include U.S. Executive Director at the 2 Degrees Investment Initiative, Senior Economist at ClimateWorks Foundation, and Research Economist at Électricité de France, focusing on climate policy and environmental regulation. Nick Hough-Robbins, CEO of NatureAlpha, emphasized the increasing demand for reliable nature data among asset managers and expressed enthusiasm for Segafredo’s expertise to drive the company’s growth. Segafredo highlighted the momentum behind nature investing and the anticipated advancements in data and investment products in 2025.

Josephine Tucker appointed as lead of new Energy Advisory and Sustainability practice

JLL has launched the Energy Advisory and Sustainability practice to enhance its sustainability services for real estate investors and occupiers. Led by Josephine Tucker, the team offers expertise in engineering, finance, energy modeling, and project management to help clients achieve sustainability goals amid evolving energy markets and regulations. Services include energy sourcing, efficiency improvements, and integration of technologies such as electric vehicle charging stations, renewable energy installations, battery storage, and microgrids.

Sanjay Rishi, CEO of JLL Work Dynamics, Americas, highlighted the growing demand for energy advisory services, emphasizing Tucker’s leadership in clean energy. Tucker noted the increasing need for businesses to reduce carbon footprints while managing rising power demands from sectors like data centers and manufacturing. This initiative positions JLL to support clients in navigating the transition to sustainable energy solutions.

Download our Weeky ESG News Magazine here incl. updates such as the appointment of Laura Segafredo as Chief Growth Officer, EIB and Allianz’ climate fund and much more. Feel free to explore all of our Weekly News here.