News in the spotlight: Schneider Electric Unifies Consulting Services
Schneider Electric has announced the launch of a new global consulting practice aimed at helping organizations advance sustainability… Read more below.
Products and Services
Schneider Electric Unifies Consulting Services to Launch Global Sustainability Advisory Practice
Schneider Electric has announced the launch of a new global consulting practice aimed at helping organizations advance sustainability, energy efficiency, and digital transformation. The practice will deliver strategic advisory services focused on decarbonization, energy management, digitization, and the integration of sustainable technologies across various sectors including industrial, commercial, and public institutions. As part of this move, Schneider Electric will bring together existing consulting capabilities under one unified structure to address growing demand from clients navigating energy transition and sustainability challenges. The practice will focus on lifecycle consulting—from strategy to implementation—helping companies develop and execute decarbonization roadmaps, modernize infrastructure, optimize energy performance, and adopt digital tools. The new practice is led by industry veterans and supported by a global network of experts, offering localized expertise aligned with Schneider Electric’s broader mission to accelerate global sustainability and innovation goals.
BNP Paribas AM launches Article 9 fund targeting environmental infrastructure
BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched the BNP Paribas Environmental Infrastructure Income Fund, a new Article 9 fund classified under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). The fund focuses on generating long-term yield by investing in listed companies that own and operate environmental infrastructure assets, particularly those contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy. Target sectors include renewable energy, water treatment, resource recovery, and sustainable mobility. The fund adopts a high-conviction, bottom-up approach and aims to offer diversification and stable income through access to real asset-backed listed infrastructure globally. It is managed by the Environmental Strategies Group in collaboration with the Listed Real Assets team, boasting combined expertise in environmental impact and listed infrastructure investing. The fund aligns with BNP Paribas AM’s commitment to sustainable investment, aiming to deliver both financial returns and positive environmental outcomes.
APG Commits USD 350 Million to European Battery Storage Venture with RPC
Dutch pension investor APG has committed EUR 300 million (approximately USD 350 million) to establish a new large-scale energy storage investment platform in Europe in partnership with Renewable Power Capital (RPC), the European renewable energy firm backed by CPP Investments. The investment will support Return, a new energy storage business focused on developing grid-scale battery storage systems across key European markets, beginning with the UK. The platform targets addressing increasing grid volatility and supporting the energy transition by providing flexible capacity to balance intermittent renewable energy sources. APG’s capital injection secures it a significant minority stake in Return, reflecting institutional investor demand for scalable and sustainable infrastructure. The initiative also signals APG’s long-term confidence in energy storage as a critical component of decarbonizing power systems. Return will be led by CEO Nicholas Beatty and aims to become a leading storage player in Europe, contributing to energy system resilience and decarbonization.
Regulations, Law and Frameworks
French Court Finds TotalEnergies Misled Consumers with 'Carbon Neutral' Fuel Ads
A French court has ruled that TotalEnergies misled consumers by labeling its petrol and gas products as ‘carbon neutral’ in a 2022 advertising campaign. The decision marks the first time a French fossil fuel company has been sanctioned for greenwashing. The court found that TotalEnergies’ ads wrongly suggested environmental benefits of using their fuel, violating consumer law by creating a misleading commercial practice. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace France and Notre Affaire à Tous, initiated the lawsuit, calling the ruling a victory for climate truth and corporate accountability. The company stated it may appeal the ruling and maintains that the emissions from its energy products are offset by certified carbon credits. However, the court emphasized that consumers were likely misled into believing the products had no climate impact. The ruling underscores growing regulatory scrutiny over climate-related claims in corporate advertising and may set a precedent for future greenwashing cases in France and Europe.
Glass Lewis to Regionalize Proxy Voting Recommendations Amid Diverging ESG Priorities
Glass Lewis, a leading proxy advisory firm, has announced it will no longer apply uniform proxy voting recommendations globally, citing diverging investor expectations between the U.S. and Europe, particularly around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The firm will now tailor its recommendations to regional investor perspectives, allowing greater flexibility in responding to differing regulatory environments and shareholder priorities. This move reflects growing polarization in ESG approaches, with U.S. stakeholders increasingly scrutinizing ESG-related shareholder proposals, while European investors continue to advocate for stronger sustainability efforts. Glass Lewis emphasized that the change intends to better serve diverse global institutional clients and maintain relevance in a shifting regulatory landscape. The update follows criticism from U.S. lawmakers and regulators over proxy advisor influence and signals a strategic pivot to regionalize recommendations in areas such as climate disclosures, human capital management, and board diversity. The shift also sets a precedent for proxy firms navigating geopolitical tensions and challenges facing ESG investing globally.
CDP and GRI Unveil Joint Tool to Streamline Climate and Energy Disclosures
CDP and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have launched a new joint tool to support companies in aligning their climate and energy disclosures with both organizations’ frameworks. The tool aims to reduce reporting duplication and enhance transparency by helping users understand overlaps and differences across CDP and GRI standards. It addresses data related to greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and climate-related risks, supporting organizations in delivering consistent information to both stakeholders and regulators. The initiative supports improved decision-making and advances reporting practices compatible with evolving sustainability regulations and expectations globally.
ESG Data and Analytics
Diligent and Persefoni partner to offer integrated climate and sustainability reporting solutions
Diligent, a provider of modern governance solutions, and Persefoni, a leading climate management and accounting platform, have announced a strategic partnership to deliver integrated sustainability and climate reporting solutions. The collaboration aims to help organizations meet evolving ESG and regulatory requirements, notably around carbon accounting and climate disclosure standards like the ISSB’s IFRS S1 and S2. By combining Diligent’s governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) platform with Persefoni’s carbon accounting capabilities, the partnership intends to streamline data management, improve transparency, and support corporate leaders in making climate-informed decisions. Customers of both companies are expected to benefit from a more automated and comprehensive solution to support sustainability initiatives and mandatory reporting obligations.
Net Zero Commitments
Airbus and Cathay invest USD 70 million to boost sustainable aviation fuel production
Airbus and Cathay have announced a USD 70 million co-investment partnership aimed at accelerating the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This joint initiative seeks to support SAF projects and infrastructure, with the goal of scaling up global availability and use. The partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to decarbonizing the aviation sector and is aligned with their broader sustainability strategies. The investment will be directed toward the development of innovative SAF technologies and feedstock solutions, as well as enhancing production capabilities across different regions. The agreement reflects growing industry momentum to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with SAF viewed as a key contributor to this target. Airbus and Cathay aim to leverage their combined expertise and networks to expedite commercial viability and deployment of SAF solutions across the supply chain.