The changing landscape for responsible investment, from Donald Trump’s victory amid a US ‘anti-woke’ backlash to the trouble with ESG data. Plus the global green subsidy race; backing biodiversity; minerals critical to the energy transition; and avoiding modern slavery risk
Thames Water stinks out the sector
And investors don’t care
A $500mn blue loan is still in place despite upheaval, thanks to robust monitoring and a tight legal framework
Colombia’s pioneering initiative aims to protect the environment as the country moves from conflict to peace
Sustainable debt raises $273bn in first quarter, in contrast to downturn in ESG stock funds
Investors are increasingly focused on environmental and social issues, but how does impact investing compare with buying ESG funds? Plus: India’s VC impact funds, a boost for blue bonds, and the US entrepreneur helping former prison inmates
Issuance of debt linked to companies’ climate promises has fallen but green bond market proves robust
Interest in projects focused on water and the marine environment is picking up, giving the nascent sector a boost
Also in today’s newsletter, why corporate clean energy demand is making trouble for accountants
How green is your railway?
Sovereign bond sale follows a flurry of corporate issuance
Bond will fund recycling projects in Ghana and Indonesia that generate offset credits
A new fund seeks to kick-start the nascent sector
Banks need to prove to investors that green finance initiatives are more than just a promotional exercise
New investigation shines light on an obscure corner of the green debt market in Brazil
The Nature Conservancy drops term that has been criticised for suggesting all money raised goes to marine conservation
Green debt issuance will be a test of investor appetite for Lula’s environmental agenda
New financing instruments spur concerns over validity of some ‘green’ investments
The factors driving the outperformance of green stocks are changing, prize-winning professors argue
We have allowed the natural capital on which we all depend to be depreciated off the books
Sovereign issuers plan ‘sustainability-linked bonds’ as a way of trying to woo ethical investors
European Union aims to define what counts as sustainable debt finance and bring in independent reviewers
Also in today’s newsletter, in first interview as chief executive Mars boss warns companies against fleeing ESG issues
New rules could sharply reduce the volume of bonds that qualify for a green label, say analysts
