ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 15-09-2026
From methane reductions in India’s rice fields to new carbon removal projects, businesses are expanding their climate efforts. This week’s ESG in 5 covers Google’s latest deal, Whirlpool’s technology portfolio and Standard Chartered’s support for suppliers, alongside record global temperatures and proposals to address growing pressure on UK water supplies.
Google signs its largest superpollutant deal.
Google has agreed to buy one million carbon credits from Mitti Labs over four years, supporting more than 70,000 smallholder farmers in India to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation.
The projects will introduce alternate wetting and drying, where rice fields are periodically drained rather than continuously flooded. According to Mitti Labs, this can cut methane emissions by around 50% and irrigation water use by nearly 40%, without reducing yields. The agreement aims to bring more than 100,000 hectares under the practice by 2030, with satellite monitoring and field data used to measure results.
Whirlpool backs four carbon removal technologies.
Whirlpool has secured a portfolio of carbon removal projects through ClimeFi, supporting four different technologies across the United States and Brazil.
The portfolio includes marine carbon removal, biogenic carbon capture and storage, enhanced rock weathering and biochar, supplied by CREW Carbon, Gevo, InPlanet and Liferaft. The agreement combines firm purchase commitments with options to secure additional removals at fixed prices in future. This gives Whirlpool access to an initial supply while retaining flexibility to expand its purchases. The selected projects also reflect the company’s geographical footprint, including support for rural and farming communities.
Standard Chartered helps suppliers cut emissions.
Standard Chartered has launched Supply Net Zero, a free platform designed to help suppliers measure their carbon footprint and develop practical plans to reduce emissions.
Open to all the bank’s suppliers, the platform brings together emissions tracking, tailored action-plan templates, sustainability webinars and dashboards for monitoring progress. It particularly aims to support smaller businesses that may lack the resources or expertise to get started. The launch supports the bank’s wider supply-chain ambitions, including a goal to direct 50% of supplier spending towards businesses with science-based emissions reduction targets. Standard Chartered said its supplier emissions intensity fell by 6% over the past year.
August matches global temperature record.
August 2026 was the warmest August on record and jointly the hottest month ever measured globally, alongside July 2023, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The global average surface air temperature reached 16.96°C, around 1.65°C above the pre-industrial average for the month. Sea surface temperatures outside the polar regions also matched their highest monthly average, at 21.07°C. Western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, exceeding the previous peak in 2003. Copernicus said a developing El Niño could strengthen further, increasing the potential for high global temperatures during the remainder of 2026.
UK considers higher water prices for industry.
UK ministers are exploring higher water charges for industrial users as shortages increase pressure on supplies.
The Environment Agency has been asked to examine water pricing and abstraction licensing, with concerns that low costs discourage businesses from managing consumption efficiently. Without action, England could face a daily supply shortfall of five billion litres by 2055. Discussions also cover reducing the use of drinking-quality water for industrial processes and cooling. The proposals remain at an exploratory stage.
Sources.
https://www.esgtoday.com/google-signs-its-largest-ever-superpollutant-carbon-credit-deal/ https://www.esgtoday.com/whirlpool-procures-multi-technology-carbon-removal-portfolio/ https://www.esgtoday.com/standard-chartered-launches-platform-to-enable-suppliers-to-track-reduce-carbon-footprint/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/climate/august-hottest-month-global-warming.html https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/10/water-shortages-uk-supply-raising-price Image Istock.com
