ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 22-09-2026
Cleaner steel, sustainable aviation fuel and electricity generated from waste heat feature in this week’s ESG in 5. We explore Google’s support for lower-emission steelmaking, FedEx’s latest fuel commitments and Kanin’s industrial energy projects, alongside Europe’s proposed support for industry and India’s expanding wind-power sector.
Google backs cleaner steel production.
Google has signed an agreement with Stegra to support a new steel plant in Boden, Sweden, designed to significantly reduce emissions from steelmaking.
The facility will use hydrogen produced with renewable electricity to replace coal in processing iron ore. Stegra estimates this could cut production emissions by up to 95% compared with traditional blast furnaces. Google will purchase environmental certificates linked to up to 91,000 tonnes of steel from the plant’s first year of production. The agreement helps build demand for cleaner construction materials and supports the commercial development of technology for an industry where emissions are particularly difficult to reduce.
FedEx expands sustainable aviation fuel commitments.
FedEx has signed agreements expected to secure more than 20 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel through 2027, expanding its use across five US airports.
The agreements cover Newark, New York JFK, Dallas Fort Worth, Oakland and Miami. The volume represents unblended sustainable aviation fuel, which will be supplied in blends containing between 30% and 50% SAF. The purchases support FedEx’s ambition to source 30% of its jet fuel from alternatives by 2030. By committing to larger volumes, the company also aims to strengthen demand and encourage the production needed to make lower-emission aviation fuels more widely available.
EU backs support for industry during transition.
EU member states have agreed a negotiating position on proposals to increase free carbon allowances for certain energy-intensive industries between 2026 and 2030.
The measures aim to protect competitiveness and jobs while reducing the risk of production moving to countries with weaker climate policies. The proposal would draw on around 88 million available allowances, which the European Commission estimates could save affected industries €6 billion. The Council also proposes using a further 33 million previously unallocated allowances. The initiative is intended to support businesses through the transition, with the final legislation still subject to negotiations with the European Parliament.
Kanin secures up to $100m to turn waste heat into power.
Kanin Energy has secured commitments for up to $100 million in funding to expand projects that convert industrial waste heat into electricity across Canada and the United States.
The approach captures heat from industrial processes that would otherwise be lost, using it to generate additional power. Kanin finances, builds and operates the equipment, helping industrial customers manage electricity costs, improve reliability and reduce emissions. Its portfolio already includes around 50 MW of waste-heat power projects operating or under construction. The new funding will support further development and deployment, making more productive use of energy already generated by industrial facilities.
India builds momentum in wind power.
India’s installed wind power capacity reached 58.1 GW by July 2026, following a record 6.05 GW of additions during the previous financial year.
Commercial and industrial customers are driving much of this growth, using wind power to manage electricity costs and support emissions reduction targets. Wind also complements solar by generating during evening hours and the monsoon season. Replacing older turbines with more powerful models offers further opportunities to increase output at existing sites. Alongside this expansion, India is preparing for offshore development off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, although the first offshore projects are not expected to begin operating until the early 2030s.
