Today’s ESG updates highlight blockchain as an ESG reporting tool, Microsoft’s carbon removal partnership with Ebb, EY’s survey on ESG data challenges, new German study ranking ESG concerns and the potential of global carbon markets for sustainable investments.
Dimitra leverages blockchain to strengthen ESG compliance in agriculture
Dimitra, an AgTech project, aims to help companies meet ESG requirements through blockchain-based services. The aim is to help farmers improve their productivity and sustainability while ensuring traceability. Leveraging Blockchain, AI and IoT technologies, Dimitra offers solutions such as its Due Diligence Service platform to streamline ESG reporting and compliance with new European and US regulations. Another more sustainable way to track your company’s ESG compliance is ESG reporting software.
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Further reading: Here’s How Blockchain Helps Companies Automate ESG Reporting
Microsoft partners with Ebb to remove carbon from oceans
Microsoft has partnered with Ebb on a 10-year carbon removal deal. Using electrochemical methods that accelerate the ocean’s natural absorption of CO₂, Ebb can store up to 350,000 tonnes of Co2 for the tech giant over the next decade. This technology supports Microsoft’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.
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Further reading: Microsoft enters into ocean carbon removal deal with Ebb Carbon
EY survey finds finance executives concerned about reliability of non-financial data
EY’s 2024 Global Corporate Reporting Survey reveals that 96% of finance executives doubt the robustness of non-financial data, hindering ESG decision-making. Additionally, the report states that only 50% believe the Sustainable Development Goals are achievable in the near future. Despite expected high compliance costs, 78% of investors view the new reporting standards as potential improvements. The report identifies AI as a key tool for transparency. Although skepticism remains, industry leaders tend to use AI-powered ESG rating software.
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Further reading: AI poised to transform corporate reporting on ESG concerns
Roland Berger study: ESG compliance is the main challenge for companies after inflation
A 2024 Roland Berger study reveals that ESG compliance is now a critical challenge for businesses, second only to inflation. According to the study, only 7.6% of companies believe they excel in ESG practices. Leaders of the most successful companies view ESG as a strategic advantage, not just a legal requirement, and are aligning their corporate culture and resources accordingly.
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Further reading: Building green organizations
Are global carbon markets the future of sustainable investing?
As climate change emerges as an undeniable global challenge, the development and integration of carbon markets emerge as essential tools for a sustainable future. Runo Oberle, president of the World Resources Forum Association (WRFA), spoke about the transformative potential of ESG investments to drive economic growth at the ESG Global Leaders 2024 conference. Still, the path to a unified global carbon market is complex , requiring international consensus, effective pricing strategies and management of geopolitical differences.
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Further reading: Global carbon markets and the future of ESG investing
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, and not those of impakter.com — Cover photo credit: Alex Wigan
