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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ECB President calls for stronger climate resilience and a more flexible European energy system
ECB President Christine Lagarde said Europe needs better protection against the financial consequences of climate change and a more flexible energy system. In a blog post, Lagarde cited more than 30,000 excess deaths during this summer’s European heatwaves and 400,000 hectares burned by wildfires in Spain and France. ECB analysis indicates that economic activity in affected regions is, on average, 1.5% lower two years after a heatwave and 3% lower four years after a drought. “Europe needs better protection against the financial fallout of climate change and a more flexible energy system that makes the most of clean power,” Lagarde commented.
Global project tracker identifies $4.8 trillion clean industry investment pipeline
The latest Mission Possible Partnership Global Project Tracker has identified more than 800 clean industrial projects in development across 70 countries, representing an estimated $4.8 trillion in potential investment. It records 99 projects that have reached final investment decision, of which 89 are operational. China and emerging economies secured more than US$50 billion of clean industry investment during the latest reporting period. The tracker also identifies sustainable aviation fuel as a significant area of investment, accounting for one-third of major projects.
Research highlights gaps in Africa’s early-warning systems
Research led by the University of Bristol has found that early-warning systems are not consistently translating forecasts into protective action across Africa. Surveys in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique found that although 90%, 80% and 77% of respondents respectively received warnings about approaching tropical cyclones, fewer than half evacuated after receiving an alert. Researchers identified barriers including late warnings, scepticism about their accuracy and limited resources or ability to evacuate. “Africa is hugely vulnerable to the devastating impacts of severe weather events,” commented Lizzie Kendon, professor of climate science at the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute for the Environment.
SINBON links executive remuneration to ESG performance as emissions fall 27.68%
SINBON Electronics has linked sustainability performance to executive remuneration for the first time, with ESG criteria accounting for 20% of annual performance assessments for its CEO, president, vice-presidents and senior business-unit and support-function managers. Its 2025 Sustainability Report records a 27.68% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against its 2021 baseline. The Taiwanese company also completed its first living-wage survey, covering more than 75% of directly employed workers, and reported an 85% supplier commitment signing rate. Supplier empowerment satisfaction averaged 4.89 out of five.
UN Global Compact launches CEO-led coalition for Latin America
The United Nations Global Compact has launched the Latin America Business Leaders Coalition at its regional Leaders Forum in Montevideo, Uruguay. The new CEO-led platform brings together companies to coordinate action on shared business and sustainability priorities. Its founding members include Grupo AJE, Motiva, Natura, Softtek, LATAM Airlines, UNACEM, Grupo Sancor Seguros and Grupo Mariposa. The forum brought together more than 300 representatives from business, government, finance, the UN and academia. The region has more than 4,300 companies participating in the UN Global Compact, nearly 60% of them SMEs.
Report says EU regulatory change could unlock €9.3bn in circular phosphorus investment
A new report, commissioned by environmental company Ragn-Sells and undertaken by RMG Consulting, argues that a change to EU rules could unlock up to €9.3 billion in investment in circular phosphorus production. Recovering phosphorus from waste streams offers an opportunity to return a valuable agricultural nutrient to productive use, reducing reliance on primary phosphate resources and supporting more circular fertiliser production. The report identifies a potential regulatory adjustment as a way to stimulate investment in the sector. “The findings suggest that Europe may be overlooking a significant opportunity,” commented Magnus Ericsson, co-founder of RMG Consulting and adjunct professor at Luleå University of Technology.
Mandarin Oriental launches MO.RE sustainability strategy for luxury hospitality
Mandarin Oriental has introduced MO.RE, a group-wide sustainability platform built around three pillars: resilience, reconnection and regeneration. The strategy includes climate-risk profiles for individual hotels, a pathway towards net zero emissions by 2050 and improved visibility of Scope 3 emissions. Mandarin Oriental added that it has already reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 33% over the past 15 years and recorded more than 80,000 hours of employee volunteering. “Mandarin Oriental’s pioneering spirit has long driven us to advance sustainability in luxury hospitality,” said Laurent Kleitman, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental.
DanChurchAid calls for increased climate adaptation finance ahead of COP31
DanChurchAid is calling on governments to increase climate adaptation funding ahead of COP31 in Türkiye, warning that developing countries face a substantial shortfall in resources to protect communities from climate impacts. The appeal follows the UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2026, which estimates annual adaptation finance needs of $305 billion by 2035. International public adaptation finance reached $28.2–31.7 billion in 2024, an increase of just $1 billion on the previous year. Even tripling finance by 2035 would meet only 20–29% of estimated needs. “When adaptation finance falls short, families lose their homes, farmers lose their harvests, and communities lose their livelihoods. This is not just a financial gap. It is a human tragedy,” commented Mattias Söderberg, global climate lead at DanChurchAid.
Tunley Environmental launches sustainability maturity assessment for businesses
Tunley Environmental has launched a Sustainability Maturity Assessment to help organisations evaluate their existing sustainability practices and identify priorities for further development. The assessment covers six areas: business strategy, carbon, circularity, water, nature, and compliance and reporting. Organisations receive an overall maturity score, individual ratings across the six themes, three identified strengths and three priority gaps, alongside recommended actions.
Study examines how Southern Ocean currents influence global nutrient cycling
Researchers at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences have examined how two major Southern Ocean water masses recycle nutrients as they move through the global ocean circulation system. The study finds that nitrogen and phosphorus are regenerated more rapidly in Subantarctic Mode Water, potentially supporting phytoplankton that do not require silica. Antarctic Intermediate Water, meanwhile, has higher silicate regeneration, which may favour diatoms. The research also identifies changes in temperature and salinity linked to the age of the water masses, potentially preserving a record of changing Southern Ocean conditions.