ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 20-01-2026
- Eloise Bell
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
This week’s ESG in 5 shows how sustainability is moving from ambition to execution. From global brands hardwiring innovation into supply chains, to tech giants underwriting clean power and carbon removal at scale, ESG strategy is increasingly about long-term positioning. Policy, capital and infrastructure are converging - and the companies that align all three are pulling ahead.
L’Oréal turns €100m into a fast track for sustainable beauty.
L’Oréal has selected the first 13 startups for its €100 million L’AcceleratOR programme, aimed at scaling sustainability innovation across its global business. Chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants in 101 countries, the cohort focuses on low-impact ingredients, circular packaging, greener materials and better ESG data. Unlike traditional incubators, L’AcceleratOR is built around pilots that can plug directly into L’Oréal’s supply chains. The goal is practical: de-risk new technology, move faster, and turn external innovation into measurable progress toward the group’s 2030 climate and nature targets.
Rolls-Royce puts sustainability and policy under one roof.
Rolls-Royce has appointed Ivanka Mamic, formerly bp’s chief sustainability officer, to a combined role overseeing sustainability and government relations. The structure is telling. For a business spanning aerospace, defence and emerging energy systems, decarbonisation is tightly linked to regulation, public funding and industrial policy. Bringing these functions together suggests Rolls-Royce sees climate strategy less as reporting and more as a core part of how it competes, secures long-term programmes and positions itself in heavily regulated markets.
Google signs 1.2GW clean power deal to fuel data growth.
Google has agreed to buy nearly 1.2 gigawatts of carbon-free electricity from developer Clearway to power data centres across the U.S. The long-term contracts support new solar and wind projects in states including Texas and Missouri, helping bring fresh generation onto local grids. As demand from AI and cloud computing surges, Google is shifting from offsets to infrastructure-backed solutions. The deals show how large tech buyers are increasingly acting as anchor customers, giving developers the certainty needed to finance clean power at scale.
Court ruling puts Equinor’s Empire Wind back on track.
A U.S. court has cleared the way for Equinor to resume construction on Empire Wind, its multi-billion-dollar offshore wind project off New York. The project had been halted under a Trump-era order, creating uncertainty for investors and suppliers. While legal challenges remain, the decision restores momentum and reduces near-term risk for one of the country’s largest offshore wind developments. For the sector, it underlines how regulatory stability and legal process are now as critical as engineering in getting major renewables built.
Microsoft doubles down on soil carbon with long-term deal.
Microsoft has agreed to buy 2.85 million soil carbon credits from Indigo Carbon under a 12-year agreement, supporting regenerative farming practices in the U.S. The scale and duration stand out in a market often criticised for short-term, low-quality credits. By locking in long-term supply, Microsoft is signalling demand for more robust measurement and permanence. As its energy use rises with AI expansion, the company is positioning itself as a cornerstone buyer helping to professionalise the carbon removal market.
