ESG News | April

Selected Monthly ESG News

Carbon Finance

France Grounds Select Short-Haul Flights in a Bid to Reduce Carbon Emissions

In a landmark environmental move, the French government has imposed a ban on certain domestic short-haul flights. Any journey that can be completed by train within 2.5 hours will no longer have an associated flight route. This initiative, part of President Macron's comprehensive legislative package to combat climate change, has sparked some controversy, with several airlines appealing to the European Commission to examine its legality.

Microsoft Signs Up for Clean Energy from the World’s First Fusion Power Plant

In a groundbreaking move, Microsoft announced plans to source energy from Helion's fusion power plant. This will be the world's first operational fusion power plant, slated to come online in 2028. David Kirtley, the co-founder and CEO of Helion, sees the deal as an important milestone in the adoption of fusion power.

Sustainable Investments

Shanghai Unveils Supportive Measures for Energy Conservation in Industrial Communication Sector

On April 13, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, together with the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, released a joint notice for energy conservation and emission reduction in the industrial communication sector. The notice, which provides guidelines for financial aid eligibility and emphasizes an upgrade to green, low-carbon technology, aims to optimize the use of fiscal funds in supporting energy-saving, carbon-reducing, and green development initiatives.

China Ushers in the First Zero-Carbon Industrial Park Standards

The curtain has officially risen on China's inaugural "Zero-Carbon Industrial Park Construction Standards" this April 28th in Inner Mongolia. Offering guidelines on the core principles of building a zero-carbon industrial park and the integral elements of its infrastructure, energy, and transportation systems, these standards are expected to lead the charge for the country's future green development initiatives.

China Debuts First Standard for Carbon Assets in ETC Traffic

Anhui Yitong Information Technology Co., Ltd., in collaboration with DIGICARBON from the Central University of Finance and Economics, has created the nation's first standard for evaluating carbon assets in ETC traffic. The research indicates that, as of the end of 2020, the use of ETC resulted in an average daily saving of 730.4 tons of fuel, a yearly energy saving of 240 million liters, and a reduction of over 650,000 tons in carbon dioxide emissions.

Green Finance

JPMorgan Chase Makes Landmark Investment in Carbon Removal

Recently, Wall Street giant JPMorgan Chase has announced a $20 million investment in Swiss start-up Climeworks, marking one of the largest single corporate transactions in the field of carbon removal. Climeworks, a pioneer in direct air capture technology, has made significant strides in recent years and is currently building its second factory in Iceland.