ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 02-06-2026
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
This week’s ESG in 5 focuses on the continued growth of clean energy partnerships, sustainable finance and carbon removal markets. Germany and India are expanding cooperation on renewables, grids and green jobs, while New York is using a major rebate plan to help households manage rising energy costs. We also look at new guidance for biomass-based carbon removal, alongside strong investor demand for green bond issuances from Standard Chartered and China.
Germany and India deepen clean energy partnership.
Germany and India are expanding their Just Energy Transition Partnership, with cooperation focused on renewables, electricity grids, green hydrogen, energy storage, e-mobility and hard-to-abate sectors. India is targeting net zero by 2070 and 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, while Germany is aiming for climate neutrality by 2045.
The partnership also places strong emphasis on green jobs, retraining and support for coal-dependent communities, positioning the energy transition as both an industrial and social challenge.
New York approves $1bn energy rebate plan.
New York has approved a $1 billion energy rebate plan to help households manage rising utility costs. Eligible residents will receive one-time payments between September and December, with joint filers able to receive up to $200 and single filers up to $100 depending on income.
The wider budget package also tightens utility oversight, including tougher scrutiny of rate rises and restrictions on passing lobbying, political donation and luxury travel costs onto customers. A further $1 billion will go into the Sustainable Future Program, supporting building emissions cuts, renewables, zero-emission transport and methane reduction.
Microsoft and Stripe back carbon removal sourcing guide.
Carbon Direct has launched a new global guide for sourcing agricultural biomass used in carbon removal projects, with backing from buyers including Microsoft and Stripe. The guide focuses on residues such as corn stover, wheat straw and rice husks, helping buyers assess risks before signing long-term carbon removal agreements.
Biomass-based carbon removal accounted for more than 95% of high-durability carbon removal contracted in 2025, according to Carbon Direct. The framework is built around traceability, community and worker protection, soil and environmental safeguards, and market integrity.
Standard Chartered issues first Green Wonton Bond.
Standard Chartered has issued its first-ever Green Wonton Bond, raising HKD$2 billion, or around $255 million, to finance renewable energy, green buildings and circular economy projects, mainly across Asia. The deal also marks the bank’s first Hong Kong dollar bond and its largest HKD bond issuance to date.
Demand was strong, with the offering drawing an order book of more than HKD$3.8 billion. Proceeds will reference Standard Chartered’s Sustainable Finance asset pool, which includes $17 billion in green assets, with more than 62% located in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
China green bond attracts $9bn order book.
China’s Ministry of Finance has completed its second-ever sovereign green bond offering, raising RMB 6 billion, or around $887 million, for environmental initiatives including clean transport, pollution reduction, water management, resource recycling and ecosystem restoration.
The issuance attracted strong investor demand, with the order book reaching RMB 62.4 billion, or around $9.2 billion, making it more than 10 times oversubscribed. The deal included separate three-year and five-year bonds, each worth RMB 3 billion, and was issued on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
