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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COP31 host Antalya develops local climate and zero-waste roadmap
Antalya, in Türkiye, has developed a local roadmap for climate action and zero waste following a Zero Waste Workshop held ahead of COP31. The roadmap identifies the city’s environmental priorities and proposals for local action, covering climate and waste-management measures intended to contribute to Türkiye’s national climate and zero-waste policies. Antalya is due to host COP31 this November.
Citi crosses $640bn in sustainable finance
Citigroup has committed $647.2 billion towards its $1 trillion sustainable-finance target for 2030, including $91.3 billion during 2025, according to reports. Renewable energy was the largest category of sustainable-finance activity during the year. Citi has also introduced new 2030 goals covering sustainable finance, affordable housing and community development, with the bank saying its sustainable-finance activity is being directed towards environmental and social priorities.
Coles, Origin expand solar and battery programme across Australian stores
Retailer Coles and Origin are expanding their renewable-energy partnership, which will see the installation of 15MW of solar at 75 sites, as well as 15MWh of battery assets. The battery systems will provide backup power and participate in Origin’s Virtual Power Plant platform, allowing stored electricity to be traded in the energy market. The initiative is intended to reduce emissions while improving resilience across Coles’ store network.
Otovo agrees $11m acquisition of Green Panel Solar Energy Systems
Norwegian energy-services company Otovo has agreed to acquire Green Panel Solar Energy Systems for $11 million in its eighth and largest acquisition. Green Panel is expected to add $12.8 million of 2026 revenue and $2.9 million of adjusted EBIT when the transaction closes. The combined business will operate across 15 European markets and cover solar, battery, EV-charging and load-management systems.
Aarhus Vand to deploy 69,000 connected water meters in Denmark
Danish utility Aarhus Vand is working with Netmore and Kamstrup to deploy approximately 69,000 connected water meters across Aarhus in Denmark. The rollout follows a pilot involving about 1,000 households and will provide real-time water-consumption data to the utility and customers. Netmore will operate the LoRaWAN network supporting the meters, with the system intended to improve resource management and help households reduce water use.
Extreme heat events could cost Germany €36 billion to €42 billion this summer
Greenpeace estimates that extreme heat events could cost Germany between €36 billion and €42 billion this summer, equivalent to about 1% of annual GDP, according to reports. The estimate includes losses and damage associated with transport disruption, health impacts, forestry, agriculture, productivity and education. The analysis was published as Germany continues to experience extreme summer temperatures and its effect across economic sectors.
US carbon-capture firm Mantel raises further $18m
US carbon-capture company Mantel Capture has raised an additional $18 million in a Series A extension, bringing its total funding to $50 million. CEO Cameron Halliday told Axios that the company plans to seek between $50 million and $200 million in additional funding next year.
US solar-panel recycling practices challenged in new white paper
A new white paper from Sustainable Source Studios suggests that much US solar-panel material earmarked for recycling is instead landfilled, exported or otherwise disposed of. The paper highlights a January 2027 certification deadline and examines the treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic modules. The findings concern recycling practices in a sector expected to generate increasing volumes of retired panels as installed capacity expands.
ASEAN companies increase plans for sustainable debt
A survey of companies across the ASEAN region found that 67% plan to issue green or sustainability-linked debt, according to a report from Standard Chartered. The findings point to increased use of sustainable debt instruments among companies in the region, against an estimated annual climate-finance gap of about $400 billion.
