ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 25-08-2026
From Europe’s growing wildfire exposure to new investment in cleaner concrete and water resilience, this week’s ESG in 5 explores how climate risk, innovation and policy are shaping the sustainability landscape. We also examine New Zealand’s restrictions on climate litigation and strong investor demand for the World Bank’s latest sustainable bond.
Europe’s wildfire exposure could almost triple.
The area affected by wildfires across Europe could increase substantially by the end of the century, according to research led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
Annual burned areas could rise by 39% under a low-emissions scenario and by 192% under a high-emissions scenario. The Mediterranean and parts of Western and Central Europe face the greatest increases. Researchers said stronger prevention, early detection and firefighting could significantly reduce the damage, but emissions reductions remain essential as extreme conditions may eventually overwhelm fire-management resources.
New Zealand’s Neocrete raises $3.5m for cleaner concrete.
Neocrete has raised $3.5 million to expand its lower-carbon concrete technology into Europe and the United States while continuing commercial deployment across Southeast Asia.
The company’s additives allow lower-quality materials, including fly ash and volcanic ash, to replace between 30% and 50% of the cement used in concrete without reducing its strength or durability. A project in Brunei has already cut embodied carbon by 25%. Neocrete’s largest planned deployment, at Muara Port, is expected to avoid 5,200 tonnes of CO₂ and save approximately $300,000.
Google invests $60m in US water projects.
Google has committed $60 million to new water stewardship projects across the United States, supporting its goal of replenishing more water than its data centres consume by 2030.
The investment expands Google’s support to more than 165 projects across 97 watersheds in 12 states. New schemes in Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Virginia will restore natural streamflows, improve wastewater reuse, reduce agricultural runoff and remove water-intensive invasive trees. Other projects will install stormwater filtration systems to improve water quality across the Chesapeake Bay and Roanoke River watersheds.
New Zealand limits climate lawsuits against emitters.
New Zealand has introduced legislation preventing courts from finding companies civilly liable for climate-related damage caused by their greenhouse gas emissions.
The law applies to an existing case brought against six major emitters, including dairy company Fonterra, which had been due to reach trial in 2027. The government said climate obligations should be managed through national legislation and the Emissions Trading Scheme, rather than individual court cases that could create uncertainty for businesses. Environmental groups criticised the decision, although companies’ existing responsibilities under the emissions scheme remain unchanged.
World Bank raises $4bn through sustainable bond.
The World Bank has raised $4 billion through a seven-year Sustainable Development Bond, attracting more than $11 billion of orders from over 150 investors.
The bond carries a 4.50% annual coupon and will mature in August 2033. Banks and corporate treasuries accounted for 43% of allocations, while central banks and official institutions received 30%. The remaining 27% went to asset managers, insurers and pension funds. The proceeds will support the World Bank’s wider sustainable development activities, with the bond aligned with international Sustainability Bond Guidelines.
Sources.
https://www.esgtoday.com/neocrete-raises-3-5-million-to-cut-carbon-and-cost-of-concrete/ https://www.esgtoday.com/google-invests-60-million-in-new-water-stewardship-projects-across-the-u-s/
https://esgnews.com/new-zealand-curbs-climate-litigation-against-major-emitters/ https://esgnews.com/world-bank-raises-4b-in-sustainable-bond-deal/ Image Istock.com
