News & Views

Global climate action gained momentum this week as Microsoft signed a major carbon-removal deal, Heineken unveiled a renewable heat project in Portugal, and Google expanded its clean-energy investments. Meta boosted its solar portfolio in Texas, while Brazil cut Amazon deforestation to an 11-year low — a strong signal of progress ahead of COP30.

This week’s ESG roundup covers regulatory action, sustainable innovation, and major investment in clean energy. From Shein’s greenwashing fine in Italy to Meta’s push to reduce embodied carbon in data centres, and HSBC’s high-profile exit from a major climate alliance, we bring you the key developments shaping the ESG landscape in under five minutes.

Amazon buys 9.4 million litres of sustainable jet fuel, Meta taps geothermal energy, and the UK backs a £200M carbon capture project. Vietnam launches its first emissions trading scheme, covering 50% of its CO₂ output. In this week's ESG in 5, Anthony Walters breaks down what these global moves mean for the transition to net zero.