From policy shake-ups to environmental alarms, this month has brought no shortage of headlines that highlight both momentum and friction in the global sustainability space.
One of the most significant developments came from B Lab, which released the seventh edition of its B Corp certification standards, significantly raising the bar for companies pursuing or maintaining certification.
For the first time, B Corps must now meet minimum verified performance across seven areas, including climate action, human rights justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
In a similar vein, India’s financial regulator SEBI introduced new rules on ESG ratings in late April. The guidelines allow rating agencies to withdraw ESG ratings under specific conditions, including the absence of sustainability reports or lack of investor demand.
Meanwhile, in the EU, a controversial proposal by the European Commission to roll back certain corporate sustainability reporting obligations has sparked legal backlash. A coalition of legal academics warned that the proposed changes, such as eliminating requirements for emissions transition plans, could increase legal exposure for firms by appearing to prioritise optics over real climate alignment.
Geopolitics is creating a widening rift on climate policy. The United States walked back its carbon-cutting plans for the shipping industry, citing cost concerns. In contrast, China is doubling down. President Xi Jinping announced tougher national climate targets, raising the stakes in the race for global environmental leadership.
The planet is also sending clear signals of its own. Scientists have confirmed that more than 84% of the world’s coral reefs are suffering from bleaching due to extreme ocean heat.
This marks the fourth global event of its kind and the most widespread yet, with major reef systems in Australia, Florida, the Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia all affected.
Technology is under the spotlight too. With AI use booming, attention is turning to the environmental cost of the infrastructure behind it. New reporting has revealed the scale of water consumption needed to keep AI data centres cool, prompting fresh calls for transparency from tech giants and sustainable design from the outset.
And in the U.S., a controversial move by the federal government to stop tracking the financial cost of weather-related disasters is raising eyebrows. Experts argue it could distort risk assessments, especially in the insurance sector, and bury the true economic toll of climate change.
Finally, the Tokyo E-Prix stood out as an example of how high-profile events can lead on sustainability. This year’s race was run entirely on renewable power and featured education programmes aimed at inspiring young people to pursue green careers. It’s a small but powerful reminder that real impact also happens off the track.
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