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Clever.

Clever.

Clever.

ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 09-09-2025

  • Writer: Eloise Bell
    Eloise Bell
  • Sep 8
  • 2 min read

This week’s ESG in 5 highlights bold moves across industries as businesses and investors push sustainability into new territory. From Netflix investing in forest restoration and Microsoft backing nuclear power, to pension funds demanding stronger ESG integration, the landscape is shifting fast. Regulatory tech consolidation and regenerative agriculture are also in focus, showing how climate priorities are reshaping finance, technology, and supply chains.



Netflix Buys Forests, Not Just Shows.


Netflix has signed a 15-year agreement with the American Forest Foundation to purchase verified carbon credits. The initiative will support landowners in converting agricultural land into forests, enhancing carbon sequestration and biodiversity across the U.S. Unlike traditional offsetting schemes, this project focuses on long-term ecological restoration and community engagement. As scrutiny grows around corporate climate claims, Netflix is backing a nature-based solution with measurable impact, and setting a precedent for media giants to invest in real-world sustainability.



Dutch Pension Fund Says “No Thanks” to $34B in ESG Mandates.


PFZW, one of the Netherlands’ largest pension funds, has withdrawn €29 billion in mandates from asset managers including BlackRock and LGIM, citing insufficient ESG integration. The fund is shifting toward sustainability-focused strategies and active stewardship, demanding clearer climate action from its partners.

Institutional investors are no longer content with ESG lip service. PFZW’s move sends a strong signal that climate alignment is now a baseline expectation—not a bonus.



ESG Software Gets a Power-Up: Position Green Buys Greenomy.


Scandinavian ESG platform Position Green has acquired Belgian compliance firm Greenomy, expanding its capabilities in sustainability reporting and regulatory alignment. The deal positions Position Green to support companies navigating Europe’s evolving ESG disclosure landscape, including CSRD and taxonomy requirements.

As ESG regulation intensifies, software providers are racing to offer integrated solutions. This acquisition reflects the growing demand for tech-enabled compliance across global markets.



Microsoft Goes Nuclear (In a Good Way).


Microsoft just became the first tech giant to join the World Nuclear Association, and it’s not just for show. With AI workloads and data centres guzzling power like never before, the company is betting big on nuclear to meet its carbon-free energy goals.

They’ve already inked a 20-year deal to restart a U.S. nuclear plant and signed one of the first commercial fusion energy agreements with Helion. Now, by joining the WNA, Microsoft is doubling down on small modular reactors, advanced nuclear tech, and supply chain reform.

This isn’t just about energy - it’s about influence. When a company like Microsoft backs nuclear, it sends a signal that clean baseload power is no longer optional for the digital economy.



Rainforest Alliance Brews Up New Coffee Certification.


The Rainforest Alliance has launched a fresh certification focused on regenerative agriculture — and it’s starting with coffee. The new standard goes beyond traditional sustainability, aiming to restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and support farmer livelihoods. It’s designed to help coffee producers meet growing demand for climate-smart farming while giving buyers a clearer signal of environmental impact.



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