Erste Group launched a long-planned review of the fossil fuel chapters in its “Responsible Financing Policy” at the end of 2020, following a delay due to the global pandemic. The increased urgency brought about by rising global temperatures has led Erste Group to tighten its financing parameters for thermal coal related activities. “The Corona pandemic is an obvious chance for an ecological reboot for the whole economy. I believe that future growth must come from sustainable projects,” said Bernd Spalt, CEO of Erste Group.

In a year where business has had to transform the way it meets the needs of society and the environment, family owned businesses risk falling behind, according to a new global survey of 2,801 family business owners.  While more than half (55%) of respondents saw the potential for their business to lead on sustainability, only 37% have a defined strategy in place. European and American businesses are lagging their Asian counterparts in their commitment to prioritising sustainability in their strategy. 79% of respondents in mainland China and 78% in Japan reported ‘putting sustainability at the heart of everything we do’ compared to 23% of US and 39% in the UK. Larger businesses and those owned by later generations also buck the trend, with greater focus on sustainability.

CTP B.V. raised €500 million with their third green bond issue on February 18th 2021, increasing the total raised from Green Bonds to €1.55 billion since their inaugural issuance in September 2020.

Future hydrogen projects almost double current operational projects in Europe Private investment in hydrogen projects will be vital in building back a greener economy