ESG Today: Week In Review, Sunday, March 31

This week in ESG news: Biden admin invests $6 billion in industrial decarbonization projects; Microsoft signs one of largest-ever biochar carbon removal deals; Mississippi orders BlackRock to ‘cease and desist’ from ESG investing; Walmart invests in 1 GW of new clean energy projects; Vanguard found guilty of misleading green investing claims in Australia; Persefoni launches free emissions tracking and reporting tool; Starbucks certifies more than 6,000 “greener stores”; EU’s Nature Restoration Rule in jeopardy after failing to gain member states’ approval; LEGO signs carbon removal deal with Climeworks; BlackRock CEO says “I’ve never seen more demand for energy infrastructure”; capital raises for sustainable packaging, clean hydrogen, energy storage, green cement solutions, and more.Image via ESG TodaySee below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:Sustainability Goals, Initiatives and AchievementsMicrosoft Signs 400 MW Renewable Energy Purchase Deals from New Texas Solar ProjectsJDE Peet’s Launches New Series of Climate and Deforestation GoalsSLB Acquires Majority Stake in Aker Carbon Capture for $380 MillionWalmart Invests in Nearly 1 GW of New Clean Energy Projects Across the U.S.Starbucks Certifies Over 6,000 Locations as Greener StoresLEGO Group Signs 9-Year Carbon Removal Deal with DAC Provider ClimeworksMicrosoft Signs 95,000 Ton Biochar Carbon Removal Deal with Climate Solutions Startup The Next 150Government & RegulatorsAustralia Court Finds Vanguard Guilty in Greenwashing SuitUK Fashion Retailers ASOS, Boohoo and Asda to Change Green Claims after Regulator InvestigationEU Council Fails to Approve Landmark Nature Restoration LawBiden Administration Invests $6 Billion in Industrial Decarbonization ProjectsESG Services and ToolsPersefoni Launches Free Emissions Measurement and Reporting SolutionSustainability Advisory Firm Anthesis Acquires Purpose-focused Consultancy GivenPrivate Equity & Venture CapitalHeat Pump Tech Startup Evari Raises $7.5 MillionUtility-Scale Energy Storage Provider Lightshift Raises $100 Million from Climate-Focused Investor GreenbackerClean Fuel Startup WASE Raises Over $10 Million to Scale Waste-to-Energy SolutionWatttron Raises $13 Million for Sustainable Packaging SolutionsCleantech Startup EVOLOH Raises $20 Million for Low Cost Clean Hydrogen TechnologySustainable Materials Sourcing Platform Circular Raises $10.5 MillionGreen Cement Startup Cemvision Raises €10 MillionESG InvestingMississippi Seeks Multimillion Dollar Penalty Against BlackRock Over ESG InvestingBlackRock’s Fink Says Energy Transition Remains an Investment “Mega Force” Despite Political PushbackExec MovesGrowth Investor Verdane Expands Decarbonization Team with New Senior HiresReports, Studies & SurveysMSCI Study Reveals Heavier Net Zero Transition Opportunities Exposure for Private vs Public Climate FundsMore By This Author:Heat Pump Tech Startup Evari Raises $7.5 Million
Microsoft Signs 400 MW Renewable Energy Purchase Deals From New Texas Solar Projects
Shell Sets 2030 Goal To Reduce Emissions From Customers’ Use Of Gasoline And Diesel