This week’s ESG in 5 highlights a clear shift from pledges to platform-building. Leading companies are embedding sustainability into governance, procurement and infrastructure, using scale to de-risk innovation and shape markets. Whether through clean power contracts, long-term carbon removal or tighter links between policy and strategy, ESG is increasingly about competitive advantage, regulatory readiness and execution at speed - not signalling intent, but engineering outcom

Global markets moved cautiously higher in mid-January as investors weighed resilient economic data against persistent inflation, policy uncertainty and geopolitical risks. UK equities outperformed, while US gains were modest and uneven, with technology stocks lagging. Inflation dynamics, central-bank independence and safe-haven demand remained in focus, while upcoming inflation data and business surveys are set to shape expectations for monetary policy in the weeks ahead.

EESG developments this week highlight how sustainability considerations are becoming more deeply embedded across technology, finance, defence and supply chains. From next-generation nuclear power supporting AI-driven growth, to green bond financing in emerging markets and stronger ESG transparency in procurement, the stories reflect a broadening and maturing ESG landscape across sectors and geographies.

Markets entered 2026 on a cautious footing, with risk sentiment shaped by geopolitical tensions, mixed equity performance and renewed focus on inflation and central-bank dynamics. UK equities showed modest resilience, while US markets weakened as technology stocks came under pressure. Precious metals strengthened amid heightened uncertainty, offset by softer energy prices. With labour-market data and policy signals ahead, investors remain alert to early indicators shaping the

The first ESG in 5 of the year highlights a shift from ambition to delivery as 2026 begins. From digital platforms enabling clean energy at scale to low-emission agriculture, EV adoption, supply-chain decarbonisation and green finance in emerging markets, this week’s stories show how policy, capital and technology are aligning to drive practical, system-wide progress across the global transition.

Markets entered 2026 on a cautious footing, with risk sentiment shaped by geopolitical tensions, mixed equity performance and renewed focus on inflation and central-bank dynamics. UK equities showed modest resilience, while US markets weakened as technology stocks came under pressure. Precious metals strengthened amid heightened uncertainty, offset by softer energy prices. With labour-market data and policy signals ahead, investors remain alert to early indicators shaping the

This week’s ESG in 5 captures how climate ambition is translating into action, from the EU locking in a tougher 2040 emissions target to companies scaling clean power, AI-driven efficiency and carbon removal as the transition accelerates.

Global markets were mixed over the week as investors balanced signs of easing inflation against continued caution from central banks and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. US equities diverged, with strength in the Dow offset by weakness in technology stocks, while UK markets were broadly flat. Attention remains firmly on incoming inflation and labour-market data, which will be critical in shaping interest-rate expectations as markets move toward year-end.

This week’s review covers market movements, central-bank signals and notable ESG developments, including new climate-risk rules and major corporate sustainability initiatives. It offers a concise view of the economic and regulatory forces steering investor sentiment as year-end approaches.

This week’s review highlights mixed equity performance, fresh signals from central banks and key developments across commodities, ESG and geopolitics. With major data releases limited, markets are focused on policy direction as we head into year-end. The update provides a concise view of global conditions and what to watch in the days ahead.