Ahren Lester

News Round Up: HSBC financing criticised, GE net-zero pledge, TPI growth surge

S&P: Gas 'squeezed' by downturn, but renewables face 'crucial' 2020

The energy demand slump caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is set to "squeeze" gas demand, said S&P Global, amid "sticky" coal generation and persistent renewables growth - although renewables face their own challenges.

Nuveen Global Impact Fund makes first investment

Nuveen Global Impact Fund has invested in battery storage technology firm Advanced Battery Concepts (ABC), representing its first investment after securing a first close in July.

Bond round-up: Paris, Unedic, NRW, Enel, Mizuho ... and more

BNP Paribas launches first blue economy ETF

BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched the first exchange-traded fund focused on the blue economy, with the €35 million fund investing in listed equities that contribute to the sustainable economic use of the ocean resources

$20trn of investors urge firms to set science-based targets

ESG news round-up: BMO secures engagement mandate, NextEnergy makes maiden Portuguese investment, IETA urges UK ETS and more

Climate risk vulnerability significantly hikes emerging economy borrowing costs

Emerging economies that are highly vulnerable to climate risk have been hit with "significant rises" to their cost of borrowing, according to a report, more than doubling the sovereign bond yield premium compared with lower risk peers.

Sound climate risk management needs sound measurement, says Macklem

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said that robust measurement of climate risk in the economy is required to manage the "accelerating" risk posed by climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy, with global initiatives starting to "bear fruit".

Hydrogen's explosive potential to green the economy

'Green' hydrogen promises many benefits to help decarbonise our economies, but it may need EU carbon prices to be five times higher by 2030. Ahren Lester reports.