Research by S&P Global Market Intelligence shows investors are wrong to be wary of sustainable investing that takes into consideration environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. The analysis concludes: “Carbon-sensitive portfolios have similar returns and significantly better climate characteristics than portfolios constructed without carbon emission considerations.” It cites studies showing companies with lower carbon emissions are more profitable than those producing more emissions. Highly profitable firms are usually well managed and have the resources to adopt proactive environmental strategies to decrease regulatory liabilities, mitigate business risks and manage important stakeholders, it states.

Electric vehicles are increasing in Europe, but charging points need to come on line to keep up with and encourage this growth. Scenarios estimate there will be 33 to 44 million EVs in the EU by 2030. NGO T&E has designed a methodology, a Public Charging Supply metric, to help policy makers set public charging infrastructure targets. The organisation suggests 1.3 million public charge points will be required EU-wide in five years and close to three million by 2030, requiring investment of €1.8 billion in 2025, 3% of the EU’s annual investment in road transport infrastructure.

A report by the Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) finds a market-based solution is needed to support the US’s clean energy standards (CES) if mid-century climate goals are to be reached. Many states in the US have CES requiring a certain proportion of retail electricity be renewable. But only a few have the most effective approach – a market-based model that prioritises performance and outcome rather than particular technologies. A federal CES could also be adopted that covers the industrial and transportation sectors as well as utilities.