With so much happening in the world of corporate sustainability, SustainabilityOnline has introduced The Sustainability Brief – a regular round-up of some of the top stories making headlines around the world.
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WMO warns El Niño is likely to persist into February 2027
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is firmly established and is expected to intensify to very strong levels, with a nearly 100% probability of persistence through to February 2027. Tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures are already well above average, while subsurface temperatures in some areas were more than 8°C above normal in July and early August. “The race now is between rising risks and our commitment to take climate action and protect people. We must win that race,” commented UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres.
Northern Ireland renewable electricity reaches 50% of consumption
Renewable generation supplied 50% of Northern Ireland’s gross final electricity consumption in the year to June 2026, according to the Department for the Economy, up from 44% in the preceding 12-month period. Renewable generation totalled 4,431GWh against gross final consumption of 8,865GWh. Renewable sources also accounted for 53% of total electricity generated, marking the first period in the statistical series since 2018 in which renewables exceeded non-renewable generation.
Coca-Cola FEMSA reaches water target linked to sustainability bonds
Coca-Cola FEMSA has achieved the 1.26-litre water-use ratio per litre of beverage required under its KOF 21L sustainability-linked bonds, with compliance confirmed by an independent verifier. The target means the bond interest rate will remain unchanged for the period beginning 17 September. The company has invested more than $82 million since 2022 in water-efficiency measures, with August 2026 performance more than 20% better than its 2018 baseline.
Perpetual Next and PreZero agree waste-wood supply for biomethanol and biomethane
Perpetual Next and PreZero Netherlands have agreed a long-term supply arrangement under which PreZero will provide low-grade waste wood to Perpetual Next facilities being developed in Delfzijl and Moerdijk. The waste wood will become feedstock for biomethanol and biomethane production rather than being treated as a disposal stream. “A reliable supply of raw materials is crucial for stable production and predictable output in our factories,” commented Jurre Hijman, Perpetual Next’s CCO.
PowerBank awarded contract for 1.63MW solar project in New York
PowerBank Corporation has been awarded a New York Power Authority contract to develop and construct a 1.628MW DC ground-mounted solar project at SUNY Oneonta, according to reports. The array will be the campus’s first MW-scale solar installation and is expected to qualify for approximately $1.4 million in federal investment tax credits.
Solaq raises pre-seed funding for atmospheric drinking-water technology
Amsterdam-based Solaq has closed a pre-seed investment round led by Connect the Drops, with Graduate Ventures participating. The company is developing liquid-desiccant technology to extract drinking water from atmospheric air, designed to operate in environments ranging from humid coastlines to dry regions where conventional cooling-based atmospheric-water systems perform poorly.
