Published on 16/03/2026
The Iran crisis is making the case for renewable energy, experts argue
The ongoing war with Iran has triggered the largest disruption to global oil supplies, causing Brent crude prices to soar to around $100 per barrel. This crisis highlights the fragility of the global energy system, heavily dependent on fossil fuels and vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts.
As the conflict continues, approximately 20% of global oil supply and 31% of seaborne oil trade have been affected, leading to significant economic ramifications across the globe. The International Energy Agency's release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves aims to mitigate the impact, but experts warn that this is only a temporary solution.
The volatility in oil prices reinforces the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources produced locally. Clean energy advocates argue that fossil fuel dependency exposes consumers to unpredictable price hikes, making a strong case for long-term energy independence through renewables. Governments and energy companies will likely continue to monitor the situation closely, weighing the potential for further price increases and considering long-term strategies to mitigate reliance on fossil fuels. This could accelerate the adoption of renewable energy solutions, particularly in countries like India, China, and Pakistan.
"High fossil fuel prices will accelerate adoption of renewables, but the real frustration is that political decisions have turned what some called an 'undeniably beneficial' economic proposition into an ideological fight" said Jon Gordon, Senior Director, Advanced Energy United.
Source: Illuminem
"Young impact-driven companies" will now receive tax benefits in France
This is one of the proposals included in the 2026 budget, definitively adopted by the Parliament in February. A new budgetary measure has created the status of "jeune entreprise innovante à impact" (JEII—Young Innovative Impact-Driven Company), allowing companies under 8 years old working on social and environmental innovation to benefit from tax and social advantages.
Specifically, companies with JEII status can now qualify for social contribution exemptions for employees working on innovative models for ecological and social transition. They will also be exempt from corporate tax for 24 months. Individuals investing in these companies will benefit from a 40% tax reduction. The goal of these measures is to support the development of business models contributing to sustainable transformation.
While the measure will have a financial cost for the state, it could ultimately bring greater long-term benefits to public finances. By funding impact-driven companies, public authorities help strengthen business models with multiple positive externalities for society. A recent study by Mouvement Impact France and Wavestone shows that companies' social and environmental commitments already generate significant economic benefits. By investing in ecological transition, social inclusion, or territorial development, engaged companies generate millions of euros in "avoided costs" for society.
Sources: Novethic, Impact France
Amsterdam banning all fossil fuel and meat adverts in public
Amsterdam is set to ban fossil fuel and meat advertising in public spaces, becoming the first city in the world to introduce such a policy. Approved by the city council in January 2026, the ban includes advertisements for air travel, cruises, and petrol-powered cars. The initiative, which is part of a broader trend across Dutch cities, will come into effect on May 1st 2026, reinforcing the city's commitment to the Paris Agreement. Other cities like Utrecht, The Hague, and Florence are also enacting similar measures, with France passing national legislation banning fossil fuel ads in 2022.
This landmark move in Amsterdam aims to reduce the promotion of fossil fuels and meat consumption, both major contributors to climate change. By limiting their presence in public advertising, the city hopes to promote more sustainable choices and raise awareness of the urgent need to shift toward greener alternatives. The measure's implementation in Amsterdam will serve as a model for other cities aiming to restrict climate-damaging ads. Global momentum is growing for similar actions to tackle the climate crisis through policy changes and sustainable urban planning.
“Just as anti-smoking policies are ineffective when tobacco ads are everywhere, we can’t have effective climate policy while fossil fuel products are promoted on every street corner.” — Femke Sleegers, Fossil Free Advertising Initiative.
Transparency is improving on several fronts
Sustainable finance has faced scepticism as the idea that investments can deliver both financial returns and environmental benefits is now being challenged. Investors focused on risk-return optimization struggle to accept the "win-win" argument in today’s volatile geopolitical climate, while sustainability-minded investors are disillusioned by greenwashing, cases where funds labelled as "green" or "responsible" failed to deliver meaningful impact. Studies, media investigations, and legal actions have exposed exaggerated claims, eroding the investor’s trust.
Yet signs of progress offer hope. Transparency is improving, with 877 companies earning an A rating for environmental disclosure from Carbon Disclosure Project, a 70% annual increase, while the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) validated decarbonization plans for 10 000 companies in early 2026. China’s new disclosure framework, aligned with global standards, and a decline in greenwashing reported by the Border to Coast Pensions Partnership further signal positive shifts. Institutional investors are also advancing: the 2025 Global Pension Transparency Benchmark showed responsible investment scores rising from 47 to 71 out of 100 over five years.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. The UK government rejected pension funds’ calls for better defence sector transparency, and groups like the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change and Principles for Responsible Investments are pushing for stricter sustainability disclosure rules. While some still challenge sustainable finance’s credibility, its push for corporate transparency over the past 20 years stands as a major achievement. If current trends including more data and less greenwashing continue, confidence in the sector could rebound, reigniting investor interest in sustainability.
Source: Illuminem
Uzbekistan rewriting the rules on women's rights
Uzbekistan is rapidly advancing gender equality through sweeping legal reforms and social programs that have expanded women’s access to education, entrepreneurship and political representation. The country has climbed 51 places in the global Gender Equality and Governance Index, reflecting reforms embedded across its constitution and more than 110 laws. Women now hold 38% of seats in the Legislative Chamber, 27% in the Senate, and 32.5% of local council positions, following the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Why it matters for the planet: advancing gender equality can significantly strengthen environmental and sustainability outcomes. Studies consistently show that countries with higher female participation in leadership adopt stronger climate and environmental policies. On the top of that, empowering women economically can accelerate sustainable development and resilience to climate impacts.
“Legal and educational progress is significant, but sustainable gender equality requires men to become active allies in households, workplaces and communities” said Akiko Fujii, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan.
Source: Illuminem
TotalEnergies signs its biggest U.S. renewable energy deal to power Google data centers
- Companies: TotalEnergies, Alphabet
- Sectors: Energy, Technology
- Clover ratings: 3/5, 1/1
France-based energy giant TotalEnergies announced last month that it has signed two new long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Google, providing the tech giant with 1 GW of solar capacity for 15 years to power its Texas-based data centers. The agreement marks TotalEnergies’ largest renewable energy deal to date in the U.S., and will deliver the equivalent of 28 TWh of renewable electricity over the term of the PPAs.
The agreement marks the second major clean energy deal to be announced by Google over the past months, following a 1.2 GW deal with Clearway in January, to provide power to data centers in Missouri, Texas, and West Virginia. Clearway is 50% owned by TotalEnergies. Google’s environmental targets include 2030 goals to reach net zero emissions across its operations and value chain, and its "24/7 CFE ambition", aiming to run its entire business on carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030, matching electricity demand with CFE supply every hour of every day, in every region where the company operates.
Toyota to build circular factory in Poland to recycle end-of-life vehicles
- Company: Toyota Motor
- Sector: Automobiles
- Clover rating: 5/5
Toyota Motor Europe announced the launch of a new circular factory in Walbrzych, Poland, aimed at scaling the company’s capabilities to process vehicles at the end of their life cycle and advance its circular economy strategy. According to the company, the factory is expected to process close to 20,000 end-of-life vehicles annually and will facilitate the recovery and recycle of key components including batteries and wheels. Materials such as copper, steel, aluminium and plastics will be recovered and reused in the production of new vehicles.
The new investment marks the second circular factory for Toyota in Europe, following the launch last year by the company of the first circular facility in the UK, with an initial capacity to recycle around 10,000 cars annually. The company said that the investment enhances its strategy to develop a circular economy model based on the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle, lowering the demand for carbon-intensive raw materials and reducing emissions. Toyota has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality in its entire business across Europe by 2040.
Source: ESG Today
Colgate-Palmolive plans to defend DEI criteria for board selection
- Company: Colgate-Palmolive Co
- Sector: Consumer Non-Cyclicals
- Clover rating: 3/5
Colgate-Palmolive told the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) that it intends to ask investors to vote against the conservative shareholder group's proposal to remove DEI-related criteria in the company's selection process for its board members, according to a letter viewed by Reuters. The proposal comes as several companies including Goldman Sachs, Walmart, Target and Meta dropped or considered altering their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as U.S. President Donald Trump and conservative groups in the country ramp up pressure on firms to curtail these programs.
Companies added or beefed up their DEI programs starting in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement, but they have rolled back their DEI commitments over the past year as pressure mounted from the Trump administration. Colgate would join a small list of companies such as Costco and Apple in sticking to their DEI policies over the past year. The company said in its response to the NLPC that about two-thirds of its net sales came from markets outside the United States. "It is important that our directors bring a broad range of skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds to the Board".
"Biodiversity loss is one of the most serious threats to businesses," scientists warn in a report
In a new report on "the impact and dependence of businesses on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people," the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (also known as the "IPCC for biodiversity") listed over 100 actions to engage businesses in environmental protection. These UN-mandated international experts emphasize that "all businesses depend on biodiversity." While their activities "have an impact" on the environment, few "bear the financial cost of their negative impacts," and "many fail to benefit from their positive impacts."
"Biodiversity loss is one of the most serious threats to businesses," echoes another co-author of the report, Stephen Polasky. In 2023, global financial flows with direct negative impacts on nature were estimated at $7.3 trillion, including around $2.4 trillion in public spending on environmentally harmful subsidies, the IPBES highlights. By comparison, public and private financial flows directed toward biodiversity conservation and restoration activities amounted to $220 billion that same year (just 3% of the public sector’s so-called "harmful" subsidies).
To help economic and political actors carry out this essential transformation, scientists have listed over 100 concrete tools, including the creation of financial incentives, promoting transparency across value chains, and collaborating with local and Indigenous communities. This report, approved by representatives of more than 150 IPBES member governments meeting in Manchester (UK), is not just another warning, it also serves for the first time as a solution manual.
Sources: Franceinfo, Carbon Brief