News in the spotlight: Big Tech Bets on Carbon Removal - Google, Meta & Stripe Fund $41M Climate Deal.
In a landmark climate investment, tech giants including Google, Meta, and Stripe have committed $41 million to carbon removal startup Arbor. The deal will fund a commercial BECCS facility capable of eliminating over 100,000 tons of CO₂ by 2030. This signals a shift from pledges to real capital deployment in the race to net zero.
Products and Services
Fujitsu Launches CO₂ Data-Sharing Platform to Drive Net‑Zero With Suppliers by 2040
Fujitsu has introduced a cutting-edge CO₂ data-sharing platform designed to support its suppliers in achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The platform enables real-time collaboration on emissions data, offering digital tools that help track, calculate, and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across the supply chain. This innovation aims to reduce carbon impacts at scale while ensuring transparency and accountability. Fujitsu positions the platform as a response to increasing ESG reporting requirements worldwide, especially under CSRD and SEC rules. It allows smaller vendors, often left behind in digital transformation, to integrate ESG analytics seamlessly. The platform also supports lifecycle carbon assessments and integrates with existing enterprise systems. As sustainability becomes a supply chain priority, Fujitsu leads by example with this open innovation. This tool aligns business strategy with climate action, helping partners lower their carbon footprint while enhancing data integrity and regulatory readiness globally (source: fujitsu.com).
Shell, Accenture & Amex GBT Launch Blockchain Platform to Scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Shell, Accenture, and Amex GBT have joined forces to launch one of the first blockchain-powered platforms aimed at scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption globally. The digital platform uses a “book-and-claim” system that lets companies purchase SAF credits even when SAF isn’t physically delivered. Blockchain ensures full traceability, verifiability, and audit readiness for carbon reduction transactions. This innovative solution is especially valuable for multinational corporations aiming to decarbonize business travel while meeting science-based targets. The platform also supports emissions reporting under global ESG frameworks and allows for transparent carbon credit retirement. Aviation remains a hard-to-abate sector, and this partnership reflects how blockchain can enable scalable, verifiable decarbonization solutions. For sustainability officers and procurement leaders, it provides a practical route to demonstrate credible ESG impact. The collaboration signals that SAF is moving beyond pilot programs into the mainstream, with measurable climate benefits (source: shell.com).
Regulations, Law and Frameworks
EU Parliament Rejects EUDR Country Risk List – What’s Next for Deforestation Protection?
The European Parliament has rejected the European Commission’s proposed country risk list tied to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This decision comes after criticism from lawmakers and industry groups claiming the list could violate WTO rules and disproportionately affect certain economies. The rejection delays the regulation’s full enforcement and raises uncertainty for companies importing forest-risk commodities like soy, palm oil, cocoa, and wood. Without clear classifications, businesses are left unclear on due diligence expectations. Environmental NGOs worry the delay weakens the EU’s climate and biodiversity goals, while trade-focused stakeholders call for a more data-driven risk methodology. Moving forward, the EU must revise the proposal and develop a system that balances sustainability with fair trade practices. The rejection reflects deeper tensions between regulatory ambition and political practicality. A new version of the risk list is expected in the coming months (source: eppgroup.com).
California Issues Climate Reporting FAQ – Mandatory ESG Disclosure Approaches
California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) has released a comprehensive FAQ clarifying key expectations under Senate Bills 253 and 261, which mandate climate-related disclosures from large companies operating in California. The FAQ outlines definitions, reporting timelines, and which emissions scopes must be disclosed—especially Scope 3. It also offers guidance on estimating emissions and how companies can ensure data reliability and consistency. The regulation applies to both public and private entities with over $1 billion in revenue. California’s ESG rule mirrors some aspects of the EU’s CSRD but includes local enforcement. This landmark law makes California one of the first U.S. jurisdictions to enforce mandatory climate reporting. Businesses should prepare now by building GHG data infrastructure, engaging auditors, and developing internal ESG teams. The FAQ is essential reading for legal, compliance, and sustainability officers navigating this new regulatory frontier (source: ropesgray.com).
ECB Flags Nine Banks Over Climate Risk Shortfalls – Fines Possible
The European Central Bank (ECB) has named nine banks across the eurozone that failed to meet minimum expectations in managing climate-related risks. These institutions may face regulatory fines and further supervisory actions. According to the ECB, several banks lacked robust risk frameworks and failed to embed environmental risks into governance, loan underwriting, and capital allocation. The announcement follows the ECB’s 2022 climate stress tests and ongoing ESG benchmarking efforts. It marks a shift from guidance to enforcement, showing that ESG failures now carry real financial and reputational costs. For banks, it’s a wake-up call to prioritize sustainability risk as a core part of enterprise risk management. The ECB emphasized the need for action, not just reporting. This move reinforces that climate oversight is not optional—and that supervisors will hold laggards accountable. The financial sector is officially in the ESG enforcement era (source: ecb.com).
ESG- and Green Bond Issuances
Zurich & Amundi Launch Retail Green Bond Fund for Life-Insurance Clients
Zurich Insurance Group and Amundi have launched a new global green bond fund aimed at retail life insurance clients. The fund provides access to a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities financing climate and environmental projects worldwide. It focuses on green infrastructure, renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transport, and sustainable water management. This launch marks a significant step in democratizing ESG investments, previously accessible mostly to institutional players. The initiative aligns with Zurich’s net-zero strategy and Amundi’s leadership in green fixed income. The fund complies with ICMA’s Green Bond Principles and seeks to provide both impact and returns. It enables policyholders to invest in environmental change without sacrificing performance or liquidity. As retail demand for sustainable finance grows, this collaboration creates a new model for integrating ESG into insurance-linked savings. It reflects a broader trend: sustainable investing is no longer niche—it’s mainstream (source: zurich.com).
Net Zero Commitments
Microsoft & Carbon Direct Set 2025 Standards for High‑Quality Carbon Removal
Microsoft and Carbon Direct have co-developed a new framework defining high-quality carbon dioxide removal (CDR) standards for 2025. The guidance outlines six essential criteria: durability, additionality, quantifiability, risk of reversal, sustainability co-benefits, and verification. The goal is to ensure that carbon credits reflect permanent, measurable, and independently validated carbon removal—raising the bar for the voluntary carbon market. These standards are open-source and intended for broad adoption by buyers, sellers, and regulators. Microsoft plans to use them to vet its carbon removal partners and investments as part of its commitment to become carbon negative by 2030. By leading this standardization effort, Microsoft is helping professionalize a fragmented CDR space. The initiative is expected to influence procurement practices across sectors. For ESG-conscious organizations, this framework adds credibility to claims of carbon neutrality and strengthens trust in carbon offset mechanisms (source: carbon-direct.com).
Google and Frontier Alliance Invest $41M in Arbor for Carbon Removal Scale-Up
Google, Meta, Stripe, and other members of the Frontier Alliance have committed $41 million to Arbor, a bioenergy company with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) expertise. The deal secures 116,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through 2030 and helps Arbor build its first commercial-scale plant in Louisiana. Frontier’s advance market commitment (AMC) model sends strong price signals to carbon removal innovators. The agreement focuses on high-durability removals, which are verifiable and permanent—aligning with long-term net-zero goals. Arbor’s technology uses biomass waste to generate energy while capturing and storing emissions underground. This collaboration illustrates how private sector leadership can fast-track new CDR markets. It’s also an important case study in how corporate ESG commitments are now backed by real capital, infrastructure, and risk. With scaling challenges ahead, this deal sets a precedent for climate-tech procurement at scale (source: carbonherald.com).
Piauí Launches Jurisdictional REDD+ Credit Program in Partnership with Silvânia
The Brazilian state of Piauí has launched a pioneering jurisdictional REDD+ program in partnership with Silvânia to tackle deforestation and reduce carbon emissions. The initiative is certified under the ART TREES framework and is projected to generate over 20 million carbon credits by 2030. Unlike traditional REDD+ projects, this jurisdictional approach applies across government boundaries and integrates environmental protection with local development. It ensures credit quality through robust monitoring, local community involvement, and third-party validation. Funding is expected to reach $2–4 million for initial phases, enabling enforcement, education, and land stewardship. The program targets a 10% annual deforestation reduction, helping Brazil move closer to its NDC targets. Piauí becomes a case study in using nature-based solutions to access voluntary carbon markets. For climate finance and ESG investors, this program showcases how regional leadership can align with biodiversity, carbon, and equity outcomes (source: impactful.com).
ESG Data & Analytics
UL Solutions Launches New Scope 3 Emissions & Sustainability Reporting Tools
UL Solutions has introduced new software tools to help companies accurately measure, manage, and report Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Scope 3 emissions—those coming from upstream suppliers and downstream users—are often the largest and most difficult to calculate. These tools aim to improve supply chain transparency and ensure compliance with regulatory and voluntary ESG reporting frameworks, including the EU CSRD and SEC’s proposed climate rules. The platform allows companies to aggregate supplier data, calculate embedded emissions, and automate disclosure workflows. With growing investor scrutiny on full-scope emissions, UL’s solution is timely and much-needed. It also includes benchmarking and audit features for greater verification. These tools will help sustainability teams strengthen climate strategies, reduce reputational risks, and meet stakeholder expectations. UL’s innovation bridges the gap between ESG ambition and implementation, supporting companies on their journey to net-zero emissions (source: ul.com).
ISS STOXX Unveils New Sovereign Climate Impact Report for Public Portfolios
ISS STOXX has launched a comprehensive climate impact report for sovereign bond portfolios. The new tool assesses more than 150 countries based on their exposure to physical and transition climate risks. Metrics include projected GDP loss from climate shocks, emissions reduction policies, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. Designed for institutional investors, the report helps users integrate climate risks into sovereign debt strategies and align with frameworks like TCFD, CSRD, and SFDR. With growing interest in public finance ESG metrics, this launch fills a critical gap in the market. The tool also allows for comparative benchmarking across regions and provides portfolio-level analytics. It empowers asset managers and pension funds to factor national climate resilience into bond selection. ISS continues to expand its suite of ESG products tailored to long-term investors. Sovereign risk has never been more climate-relevant, and this product meets the moment (source: insights.issgovernance.com).