This week in ESG news: Biden admin invests $6 billion in industrial decarbonization projects; Microsoft signs one of largest-ever biochar carbon removal deals; Mississippi orders BlackRock to ‘cease and desist’ from ESG investing; Walmart invests in 1 GW of new clean energy projects; Vanguard found guilty of misleading green investing claims in Australia; Persefoni launches free emissions tracking and reporting tool; Starbucks certifies more than 6,000 “greener stores”; EU’s Nature Restoration Rule in jeopardy after failing to gain member states’ approval; LEGO signs carbon removal deal with Climeworks; BlackRock CEO says “I’ve never seen more demand for energy infrastructure”; capital raises for sustainable packaging, clean hydrogen, energy storage, green cement solutions, and more.

Image via ESG Today

See below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:

Sustainability Goals, Initiatives and Achievements

Microsoft Signs 400 MW Renewable Energy Purchase Deals from New Texas Solar Projects

JDE Peet’s Launches New Series of Climate and Deforestation Goals

SLB Acquires Majority Stake in Aker Carbon Capture for $380 Million

Walmart Invests in Nearly 1 GW of New Clean Energy Projects Across the U.S.

Starbucks Certifies Over 6,000 Locations as Greener Stores

LEGO Group Signs 9-Year Carbon Removal Deal with DAC Provider Climeworks

Microsoft Signs 95,000 Ton Biochar Carbon Removal Deal with Climate Solutions Startup The Next 150

Government & Regulators

Australia Court Finds Vanguard Guilty in Greenwashing Suit

UK Fashion Retailers ASOS, Boohoo and Asda to Change Green Claims after Regulator Investigation

EU Council Fails to Approve Landmark Nature Restoration Law

Biden Administration Invests $6 Billion in Industrial Decarbonization Projects

ESG Services and Tools

Persefoni Launches Free Emissions Measurement and Reporting Solution

Sustainability Advisory Firm Anthesis Acquires Purpose-focused Consultancy Given

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Heat Pump Tech Startup Evari Raises $7.5 Million

Utility-Scale Energy Storage Provider Lightshift Raises $100 Million from Climate-Focused Investor Greenbacker

Clean Fuel Startup WASE Raises Over $10 Million to Scale Waste-to-Energy Solution

Watttron Raises $13 Million for Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Cleantech Startup EVOLOH Raises $20 Million for Low Cost Clean Hydrogen Technology

Sustainable Materials Sourcing Platform Circular Raises $10.5 Million

Green Cement Startup Cemvision Raises €10 Million

ESG Investing

Mississippi Seeks Multimillion Dollar Penalty Against BlackRock Over ESG Investing

BlackRock’s Fink Says Energy Transition Remains an Investment “Mega Force” Despite Political Pushback

Exec Moves

Growth Investor Verdane Expands Decarbonization Team with New Senior Hires

Reports, Studies & Surveys

MSCI Study Reveals Heavier Net Zero Transition Opportunities Exposure for Private vs Public Climate Funds

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Heat Pump Tech Startup Evari Raises $7.5 Million
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