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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World Bank report highlights water constraints facing agriculture
The World Bank says irrigated agriculture occupies about 20% of the world’s arable land but produces 40% of global food while accounting for around 70% of freshwater withdrawals. Its latest analysis says existing agricultural water-management practices can sustainably feed only 3.4 billion people, compared with a projected global population approaching 10 billion by 2050, and highlights micro-irrigation, direct-seeded rice and water reuse as potential measures.
EQS Group validates climate targets with SBTi
EQS Group’s near-term and net-zero greenhouse-gas reduction targets have been validated by the SBTi. The Munich-based company has committed to reaching net-zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2050, while reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 85% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, against a 2022 base year. Its Scope 3 emissions target is a 51.6% reduction per euro of value added by 2030. “Our customers and partners expect the same transparency and accountability from us that we help them achieve,” commented Achim Weick, founder and CEO of EQS Group.
Germany backs new biodiversity finance facility
Germany has announced €15 million in additional biodiversity finance as governments meet at COP17 to address the funding gap facing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The contribution will support blended-finance projects designed to reduce investment risks and attract private capital to conservation and restoration. The Nature Investment Facility will initially focus on critical landscapes in Africa and South-East Asia. “Nature is our most vital asset, yet it remains chronically underfunded,” said Carsten Schneider, Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), Federal Republic of Germany.
3E secures investment to expand renewable-energy software and AI
Brussels-based renewable-energy technology company 3E has secured a majority investment from Hg, with climate-focused investor Galvanize Climate Solutions joining as a minority co-investor. 3E’s SynaptiQ platform monitors more than 50 GW of solar, wind and battery-storage assets. The investment will fund AI product development, international expansion and potential acquisitions, with the US identified as a particular growth market.
Charwood Energy reports 57% revenue growth as biomass projects progress
French biomass-energy company Charwood Energy reported first-half 2026 revenue of €5.5 million, up 57% from €3.5 million a year earlier. Its secured third-party order book reached €12 million, up 20%, while EBITDA was negative €1.8 million during the project ramp-up. The company develops biomass recovery systems including anaerobic digestion and pyrogasification, with projects producing renewable gas, biochar and carbon credits.
Ocean Power Technologies plans renewable-powered offshore data-centre demonstration
Ocean Power Technologies and Stratum Holdings have signed a non-binding letter of intent covering a proposed demonstration of offshore data-centre infrastructure powered by wave, wind and solar energy. The project would combine OPT’s PowerBuoy platforms with Stratum’s GPU infrastructure to test edge-AI computing without a power connection to shore. The companies will assess system integration, performance and data collection before considering commercial applications.
Climate-focused funds back 500 MWp Philippine solar project
The Climate Investment Fund, managed by Norfund, and Impact Fund Denmark are investing in the 500 MWp Ixus Bugallon Solar Power Project in Pangasinan, Philippines. The funds will jointly hold 49% of the project, while the development has secured about $310 million in senior loans from eight international banks. The project is expected to avoid about 530,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and generate electricity equivalent to the consumption of 650,000 Philippine households.
