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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Geothermal energy could cut industrial emissions across 30 European clusters
A new analysis has identified 30 industrial clusters across 11 EU countries where geothermal energy could replace fossil fuels for industrial heat. The researchers estimate that converting these sites could displace more than €850 million in annual fuel spending and avoid 4.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. The report identifies opportunities in countries including Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Austria and the Netherlands, with a further 152 candidate clusters identified for potential development.
Mitti Labs and Salesforce agree deal to scale water-saving rice farming
Mitti Labs has signed a five-year carbon-credit agreement with Salesforce, which will purchase 500,000 methane-reduction credits by 2030. The partnership will support climate-smart rice farming across tens of thousands of smallholder farms in India. The approach uses alternate wetting and drying to reduce water consumption and methane emissions, with satellite data used to verify results. Mitti Labs estimates the partnership could save 700 billion litres of water.
Envision Energy unveils AI-powered system for industrial decarbonisation
Envision Energy has unveiled an AI-powered energy system for mining and metal-processing operations, combining wind and solar power, battery storage and integrated energy management. The system is designed to improve reliability at sites with limited grid access and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Envision says the configuration targets a renewable electricity share above 80% and energy costs around 20% lower, depending on site conditions.
Essity achieves EcoVadis Platinum sustainability rating
Swedish hygiene and health products company Essity has received an EcoVadis Platinum medal, achieving a score of 90 out of 100, compared with 88 in 2025. The rating assesses corporate sustainability performance across areas including environmental management, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.
UPM reports progress at German biorefinery
Finnish forest-industry group UPM reported that its Leuna biorefinery in Germany has reached production readiness for renewable functional fillers, following the start of industrial-scale biochemical production. The company said two of the facility’s three core processes have been tested and are in production, while integrated production is now expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027, around six months later than previously anticipated.
DTE Energy brings 132 MW solar park online in Michigan
DTE Energy has brought its 132 MW Fish Creek Solar Park near Sheridan, Michigan, into operation. The $268 million project is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 30,000 homes. The development was funded through the utility’s voluntary MIGreenPower programme, which allows participating customers to support additional renewable energy generation. “Our customers expect us to keep the lights on and keep bills as affordable as possible,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer, DTE Electric.
Sinopec publishes sustainability report covering five years of African operations
Sinopec has released a sustainability report covering its African operations from 2021 to 2025. The company reports that it implemented 33 projects across 16 African countries, with cumulative investment exceeding $5.7 billion. Its operations directly created 16,000 local jobs in 2025. The report also highlights environmental protection initiatives, renewable-energy cooperation and infrastructure projects, including more than 70 water-supply plants and over 4,300 kilometres of water pipelines supported by the company across Africa.
SunPower opens European orders for new solar panel range
TCL SunPower Global has opened European orders for its SunPower Origin solar panel range, featuring eighth-generation back-contact technology and a 40-year warranty. The launch expands the company’s residential solar offering in Europe. “Back-contact is where solar mass market is heading, but very few companies can manufacture it at scale. We were the first to put it into commercial production, in 2004, and Origin is our eighth generation,” said Steven Zhang, general manager, TCL SunPower Global.
