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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Citi says electricity demand is driving progress towards $1tn sustainable finance target
Citigroup has allocated approximately $647bn towards its $1tn sustainable finance target, with rising demand for electricity supporting investment in low-carbon energy, grids and storage. Chief sustainability officer Valerie Smith said demand for sustainable, green and resilience bonds remained strong, driven by electrification in transport, cooling and data centres. The bank aims to reach its target by 2030 and has expanded its eligibility criteria to include nuclear energy and nature-based solutions.
AIB doubles green and transition lending target to €60bn by 2030
AIB has doubled its 2030 green and transition lending target from €30bn to €60bn, following the deployment of €28bn since 2019. The new target was announced by chief executive Colin Hunt at COP31. The bank provided €6.3bn in green and transition lending during 2025, representing 43% of new lending, and a further €5.3bn in the first nine months of 2026. AIB continues to target 70% of all new lending being classified as green or transition by 2030. “Our commitment is to stay the course, work with our customers and help turn those opportunities into sustainable projects, while supporting a transition that leaves nobody behind,” Hunt commented.
UNFCCC launches framework to recognise progress towards net-zero commitments
The UNFCCC has moved its Net-Zero Recognition Framework (NZRF) from a pilot phase to implementation, providing a mechanism to recognise and track the progress of businesses, financial institutions, cities and regions towards net-zero commitments. Through the NAZCA portal, participating initiatives can disclose their criteria, transition plans and progress against targets. The framework is intended to improve transparency and accountability, with recognition covering progress from public commitments through to interim targets and net-zero achievements. “By making their net-zero journeys transparent, the initiatives taking part in the NZRF are showing vital leadership,” said Xuehong Wang, transparency director at UN Climate Change.
The Fairtrade Foundation urges UK to protect smallholder farmers in new deforestation regulations
The Fairtrade Foundation is calling on the UK Government to protect smallholder farmers as it consults on new Forest Risk Commodities regulations, which would require large companies importing cocoa, coffee, palm oil and soy to demonstrate that products are not linked to illegally deforested land. Fairtrade warns that compliance costs and administrative requirements could exclude smaller producers from UK supply chains. An open letter signed by more than 100 cocoa and coffee producer organisations calls for costs and responsibilities to be shared across supply chains, alongside support for farmers and protection of their data rights. “Protecting forests and protecting farmers’ livelihoods must go hand in hand,” commented Marie Rumsby, director of advocacy at the Fairtrade Foundation.
UN Global Compact calls for faster corporate climate action at COP31
The UN Global Compact has called on businesses to accelerate the delivery of climate commitments, with business and UN leaders meeting at the 14th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate at COP31 to discuss corporate climate action. Discussions focused on credible transition plans, accountability, science-based targets and measurable emissions reductions. Participants also examined barriers to implementation, including policy uncertainty, infrastructure gaps and financing constraints. “We meet at a defining moment for climate action,” said Sanda Ojiambo, UN assistant secretary general, CEO and executive director of the UN Global Compact. “The magnitude and duration of the overshoot depends on the choices we make today, and returning to 1.5 degrees remains possible but only through urgent and sustained emissions reductions.”
Ali Y Koç says energy transition is becoming central to industrial competitiveness
Ali Y Koç, vice-chair of Turkish industrial and services conglomerate Koç Holding, has said that the energy transition has become a “decisive factor” in industrial competitiveness, as businesses and countries respond to changing energy markets and the need for greater resilience. Speaking at COP31, he called for progress to be measured through investment, projects delivered and emissions reductions, rather than commitments alone. “Countries are now building new worlds. At the heart of it lies the objectives of economic independence, resilience and greater competitiveness,” he commented. “Consequently, this new equation means energy transition, energy independence and economic competitiveness. For this reason, reducing fossil fuel use is no longer merely a priority, but an economic necessity.”
The Hague removes more than 500,000 paving slabs to make room for nature
The Dutch city of The Hague has removed more than 500,000 paving slabs as part of an initiative to increase green space and make urban areas more resilient to heat and heavy rainfall. The project encourages residents, businesses and public organisations to replace paved surfaces with plants and other natural features. The initiative is intended to improve water absorption, reduce heat build-up and create more space for biodiversity in the city. “This award recognises the enthusiasm and hard work of so many residents, businesses, schools and other community organisations that have made their surroundings greener,” commented Isabelle Broeders, Alderman responsible for public space.
Masdar City generates 10,797 MWh of renewable electricity
Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s sustainable urban community and business and investment hub, generated 10,797 MWh of renewable electricity in 2025. The total included 9,906 MWh exported to the electricity grid. The city also reported a 42% reduction in energy-use intensity against its stated baseline and 2,517 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions avoided through exported renewable electricity. “Sustainability must be measured not only by the ambitions we set, but by the results we deliver,” commented Ahmed Baghoum, chief executive officer of Masdar City.
Meta signs long-term agreements to support lower-carbon cement, steel and recycled plastics
Meta has announced long-term purchasing agreements covering lower-carbon cement, near-zero-emission steel, electric freight and recycled plastics for its data centre supply chains. An agreement with Sublime Systems will support at least 180,000 tonnes of lower-carbon cement production and the development of its first commercial-scale facility. A separate commitment supports Swedish company Stegra’s near-zero-emission steel production. Meta is also backing an electric freight corridor between California and Arizona and a recycled PET plant with planned capacity of 5,000 tonnes a year.
