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Diego Mesa Puyo takes over as CEO and chairperson of the Global Environment Facility
Diego Mesa Puyo has taken over as CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), succeeding Carlos Manuel Rodríguez. Mesa Puyo previously served as Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy and has held senior roles in government and international development. The GEF provides funding for projects addressing climate change, biodiversity, land degradation, chemicals and waste, and international waters. “Investing in nature is investing in resilience and sustainable development for people and planet,” Mesa Puyo commented.
EY launches Sustainability Value Bridge framework
EY has launched the Sustainability Value Bridge framework at New York Climate Week, designed to help companies assess the financial value at risk from climate and other sustainability impacts and quantify potential effects on profitability and margins. EY says its research found that businesses in its study could face a 25–50% impact on profitability over the next five years if no action is taken to protect and create value.
McKinsey finds 2026 Strait of Hormuz disruption affected 13.8% of global oil and gas supply
McKinsey has estimated that the 2026 Strait of Hormuz disruption affected 13.8% of global oil and gas supply at its peak, more than twice the relative impact of the 1970s oil shocks and more than six times the peak impact from the war in Ukraine in 2022. The consultancy says inventories, bypass pipelines and other measures cushioned the disruption, although inventories are now declining.
Compass Group launches sustainable seafood culinary initiative
Compass Group North America has launched The Better Catch, a culinary initiative developed with sustainable seafood advocate and chef Barton Seaver. The programme will provide thousands of Compass chefs and culinary professionals with ongoing training, recipes, sourcing information and tools focused on responsibly sourced seafood. Its initial recipes feature Faroe Island salmon, whiteleg shrimp and haddock, with additional species and resources planned quarterly. Compass has used Seafood Watch recommendations in its sourcing decisions for more than 20 years.
Antora announces 5.8GWh thermal battery project in Kansas
Antora Energy has announced a 5.8GWh multi-day thermal energy storage project at Pratt Energy’s biorefinery in Pratt, Kansas. The project will provide energy to the facility and is backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Grok Ventures and University Pension Plan Ontario. Antora says the project will be one of the world’s largest battery-storage systems when completed and will create jobs and workforce-training opportunities.
Swiss protective forests weakened by drought even at high altitudes, study finds
Swiss protective forests are increasingly affected by summer droughts at altitudes up to 2,219 metres, according to researchers from Bern University of Applied Sciences. Analysis of Swiss national forest inventory data from 1983–2022 found that declining stands in the highest subalpine belts rose to 18.8% in recent years, while the historic relationship between higher altitude and lower drought stress disappeared after 2017. Tree density also declined across all vegetation belts.
Lydian Energy closes $300m facility for solar and battery projects
Lydian Energy and Infranity have closed a $300 million holding-company credit facility to finance the development, construction, acquisition and operation of utility-scale battery-storage and solar projects. Lydian says its portfolio spans 6GW of operating, construction-ready and development-stage projects across the US. The company was founded in 2023 and says the financing will allow it to accelerate its project pipeline while retaining ownership of operating assets.
NTT DATA publishes 2026 sustainability report
NTT DATA has published its 2026 Sustainability Report, covering its sustainability initiatives across 13 material issues grouped under three pillars: Planet positive, Prosperity positive and People positive. The report covers the company’s fiscal 2026 activities and sets out its sustainability-management approach under CEO Kazuhiko Nakayama, who took on the role in June. NTT DATA operates in more than 70 countries and reports annual revenue of more than $30 billion.
UN climate talks focus on using transparency data to strengthen climate action
UN Climate Change has reported that a high-level transparency dialogue in Baku focused on using climate reporting to strengthen policy, investment priorities and measurable results. Participants discussed the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement and the challenges countries face in preparing biennial transparency reports. The meeting also examined how national reporting systems can provide information to support climate action and implementation. “We are entering a new phase of climate diplomacy,” commented Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister and COP29 lead negotiator.
EU-backed Black Sea programme targets marine data and investment
The European Commission’s CINEA has highlighted new work to strengthen environmental data, preparedness and investment in the Black Sea region. The initiative focuses on the pressures facing the sea and the need for improved information to support planning and investment. The programme is linked to EU efforts to strengthen cooperation around the Black Sea and address environmental pressures affecting coastal communities and marine ecosystems.