ESG in 5 Sustainability News - 30-09-2025
- Eloise Bell
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
This week shows ESG in action across data, supply chains, climate tech, infrastructure, and finance — from IBM’s emissions tools to Brineworks’ frontier carbon capture, with corporates like Levi’s and Amazon turning pledges into practical initiatives.
IBM makes carbon accounting easier.
IBM has launched the Envizi Emissions API, giving companies a way to plug greenhouse gas calculations directly into spreadsheets, apps, and other tools. With access to more than 140,000 emissions factors, it’s designed to help firms replace messy Excel sheets and prepare for tightening disclosure rules.
Levi’s helps suppliers go renewable.
Levi Strauss is rolling out the LEAP program with Schneider Electric to make renewable energy more accessible across its supply chain. The initiative, starting in India, offers suppliers financing and technical support for solar, RECs, and group PPAs. The move backs Levi’s target to cut supply-chain emissions 42% by 2030 and hit net-zero by 2050.
Brineworks raises $7.3m for carbon capture + clean fuels.
Dutch startup Brineworks has secured $7.3 million to scale its combined carbon capture and electrolyser tech. The system pulls CO₂ from the air while also producing hydrogen for use in synthetic fuels like e-methanol. With pilots planned before 2026, the company is targeting a cost of under €100 per tonne of CO₂ removed.
Amazon targets data center water use.
Amazon has teamed up with partners to launch the Water–AI Nexus Centre of Excellence, aimed at tackling the water footprint of AI and data centers. The group will create best-practice guidance and research to help operators cut consumption. Amazon is aiming to be water positive by 2030, with AWS already reporting it’s more than halfway there.
One-third of corporate capex now tied to sustainability.
A new survey from Risilience shows that 36% of corporate capital expenditure is now linked to sustainability goals. Over half of companies already have a net-zero plan in place, and almost a third are developing one. Despite regulatory uncertainty, boardrooms are pushing climate risk and ESG spending higher up the agenda.
