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Clever.

Clever.

Clever.

ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 04-08-2026

  • Aug 4
  • 2 min read

This week’s ESG in 5 highlights major investment in emerging clean technologies, from thermal batteries and sustainable aviation fuel to fusion energy and renewable power. We also look at Lenovo’s support for clearer sustainability standards across the technology sector.



Antora raises $550m for thermal batteries.


Antora Energy has raised $550 million to expand production and accelerate the deployment of its thermal battery technology across the United States.


The company’s batteries use renewable electricity to heat solid carbon blocks, storing energy that can later be supplied as industrial heat or converted back into electricity. Antora recently deployed a 5 GWh system in South Dakota and said the new funding will support larger projects for industrial businesses and data centres, establish a second US manufacturing hub and strengthen its domestic supply chain.



Lydian secures $43m for cleaner jet fuel.


Lydian has raised $43 million to support the development of its lower-cost synthetic sustainable aviation fuel platform.


Led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the funding will help commercialise technology that produces jet fuel using captured CO₂, hydrogen and renewable electricity. Lydian said its modular PIVOT platform could reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% and plant capital costs by more than 50% compared with competing technologies. A commercial demonstration facility is targeted for 2028, followed by its first full-scale deployment in 2030.



Commonwealth raises $1bn for fusion.


Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised $1 billion to accelerate the commercial development of its fusion energy technology.


The MIT spin-out is completing the assembly of SPARC, a demonstration machine designed to produce more energy than it consumes, while progressing plans for its first commercial power station in Virginia. The proposed ARC facility is expected to begin supplying electricity in the early 2030s, with Google and Eni already agreeing to purchase more than half of its planned output. The latest round brings Commonwealth’s total funding to approximately $4 billion.



Brookfield launches $600m India platform.


Brookfield has launched Lumara, a new renewable energy platform expected to deploy approximately $600 million across India.


The platform will begin with a portfolio of more than 6 GW of solar, wind and battery storage capacity. It aims to address delays caused by power purchase agreement contracting, grid connections and land acquisition by advancing projects earlier and providing credit solutions to developers. Lumara will also support the decarbonisation plans of businesses and data centre operators requiring reliable, long-term clean power.



Lenovo backs clearer technology standards.


Lenovo has been recognised as an EPEAT 2.0 Launch Partner, supporting updated sustainability standards for electronic products.


EPEAT is an independent global ecolabel that helps organisations compare technology using consistent environmental criteria. Its updated framework covers areas including climate change, circularity, potentially harmful chemicals and responsible supply chains. Lenovo said the standard complements its existing work on product carbon footprints, closed-loop recycled plastics and device recovery and refurbishment, helping customers better understand the environmental impact of the technology they purchase and use.



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