News in the spotlight: WeeFin announces Series B €25 million financing for global expansion
WeeFin has raised €25 million in a Series B funding round, led by BlackFin Capital Partners, with support from IRIS, Asterion Ventures, and Ring Capital. The investment will help expand WeeFin’s international presence, particularly in the UK, and enhance its SaaS platform, which supports financial institutions in managing sustainability strategies such as ESG and climate.
Products & Services
ISS STOXX launches sustainability bond ratings for issuance-level assessment
ISS ESG, the sustainable investment division of ISS STOXX, has launched a new Sustainability Bond Rating that provides issuance-level sustainability risk and impact assessments for green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bonds (GSSS+). The rating helps investors compare labeled bonds by evaluating their alignment with international standards, environmental and social impact, and issuer sustainability strategies. It uses a 12-point scale (A+ to D-) and assesses around 150 indicators per bond, drawing from a pool of 400. Designed for multiple use cases—including risk management, EU Taxonomy reporting, and impact analysis—the solution is available via data feeds and API (source: insights.issgovernance.com).
NORD/LB and EIB announce EUR 165 Million partnership for renewable energy projects across Europe
On April 1, 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and NORD/LB announced a €165 million financing partnership to accelerate renewable energy projects across the EU. The EIB will contribute €125 million, complemented by NORD/LB financing, to support small and medium-sized projects in photovoltaics, onshore wind, and battery storage. The agreement was signed at Hannover Messe by EIB Vice President Nicola Beer and NORD/LB CEO Jörg Frischholz. The partnership aims to boost clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security, and support EU climate goals (source: eib.com).
Mizuho participates in NextGen CDR facility and concludes purchase agreement for CDR credits
Mizuho Financial Group has joined the NextGen CDR Facility, becoming the first Japanese bank to sign a long-term agreement for the purchase of technology-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits. Operated by a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and South Pole, NextGen aims to promote innovative carbon removal technologies. By participating, Mizuho supports the development of a global CDR credit market and contributes to net-zero goals. Technology-based CDR, which enables the permanent storage of CO2, is seen as essential for achieving net-negative emissions. Through this initiative, Mizuho will gain expertise in CDR project implementation and support the commercialization of such technologies in Japan. The bank also plans to assist Japanese companies in this sector, both financially and non-financially. Project partners welcomed Mizuho’s involvement, emphasizing its leadership in advancing carbon credit initiatives (source: mizuhogroup.com).
Regulations, Law and Frameworks
DWS fined $27mn for overstating products’ sustainability
Deutsche Bank’s asset management arm, DWS, has been fined €25 million ($27 million) in Germany for misleading ESG-related marketing—marking one of the largest greenwashing penalties globally. Prosecutors found that between 2020 and 2023, DWS promoted products as sustainable without substantiating those claims, stating, for example, that ESG was “an integral part of our DNA.” The investigation was triggered by whistleblower Desiree Fixler and led to multiple raids and the resignation of DWS’s CEO in 2022. Although the firm accepted the fine and acknowledged past “exuberant” marketing, it claims to have since improved. Greenpeace called the penalty historic and accused DWS of retreating from sustainable investing and continuing fossil fuel investments. The scandal adds to Deutsche Bank’s troubled history and highlights growing scrutiny of ESG claims. It also reflects new EU rules aimed at curbing greenwashing in the finance sector.
Finance for Biodiversity Foundation increases engagement for biodiversity in the textiles and apparel industry
The FABRIC initiative, launched by the Finance for Biodiversity (FfB) Foundation, is engaging 16 major textiles and apparel companies—such as Adidas, H&M, Nike, and LVMH—to promote biodiversity and sustainable practices. Led by 16 investor members, the initiative targets sectors with high environmental impact, like fast fashion and luxury wear. Investors are calling for improved supply chain traceability, circular economy adoption, and biodiversity-positive commitments. The initiative supports the global goal of halting biodiversity loss by 2030. FABRIC will continue engaging companies to push for transparent, nature-positive business strategies.
ESG Data and Analytics
Robeco, Mirova, Edmond de Rothschild AM, I Care and Quantis launch Avoided Emissions Platform (AEP)
Robeco, along with Mirova, Edmond de Rothschild AM, I Care, and Quantis, launched the Avoided Emissions Platform (AEP) on April 3, 2025. The platform standardizes the assessment of avoided emissions—so-called “scope 4″—from 65 climate solutions, helping investors quantify the climate impact of their portfolios. Backed by over $4 trillion in assets, AEP provides transparent data to guide financial flows toward companies enabling decarbonization. It supports financial institutions, companies, policymakers, and researchers with robust, harmonized metrics. The goal is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy by improving decision-making and accountability in climate-related investments.
WeeFin announces Series B €25 million financing for global expansion
WeeFin has raised €25 million in a Series B funding round, led by BlackFin Capital Partners, with support from IRIS, Asterion Ventures, and Ring Capital. The investment will help expand WeeFin’s international presence, particularly in the UK, and enhance its SaaS platform, which supports financial institutions in managing sustainability strategies such as ESG and climate. WeeFin currently serves over 40 clients across Europe, managing €6.9 trillion in assets. The company plans to grow further by entering new markets and hiring more than 100 new employees in the next three years. BlackFin Capital Partners is excited to support WeeFin’s ambition to become the leading ESG data management platform for large financial institutions. Grégoire Hug, CEO of WeeFin, emphasized the importance of sustainability for financial institutions, validating their platform’s relevance.
Intertek launches solution to support EUDR compliance for commodities
Intertek has launched a comprehensive suite of solutions to support companies in complying with the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which affects the import and export of key commodities like wood, rubber, cocoa, coffee, cattle, soy, and palm oil. The EUDR, effective from December 30, 2025, mandates companies to submit a due diligence statement confirming their products are deforestation-free, with non-compliance risking fines of up to 4% of EU revenue. Intertek’s solutions, including the EUDRtrace blockchain platform, offer end-to-end compliance support, such as regulatory assistance, training, product mapping, and verification. The platform ensures transparency and traceability in supply chains, helping businesses avoid penalties and maintain access to the EU market.
ESG and Green Bond Issuances
China issues its first USD 825mn green bond on London Stock Exchange
China issued its first sovereign green bond on the London Stock Exchange, raising 6 billion yuan ($825 million). The bond is split into two parts: a 3-billion-yuan bond with a three-year term at 1.88% interest, and another 3-billion-yuan bond with a five-year term at 1.93%. The offering attracted strong international interest, with total subscriptions reaching 41.58 billion yuan, 6.9 times the issuance value. The issuance is a significant step in China-UK cooperation and a part of China’s broader commitment to green development, supporting the country’s goals of peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.