ESG International Weekly News 3/11 - 3/17

The LEGO Group announced that 33% of its bricks in 2024 were made from renewable sources, nearly tripling from the previous year. The update, part of LEGO’s 2024 Sustainability Statement, aligns with its goal to transition fully to sustainable materials by 2032, achieve net zero by 2050, and reduce carbon emissions by 37% by 2032 (from 2019 levels). The company also increased sustainability investments by 68% in 2024 and expanded its use of mass balance approaches, ensuring that 47% of purchased resins come from certified renewable and recycled sources. Additionally, LEGO reported that 93% of its packaging weight is now paper-based, with a target of 95% by 2025.
 

2.Amazon、Google、Meta 加入全球核能產能翻倍倡議
Amazon, Google, Meta Pledge to Help Triple Global Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050
 

科技巨頭 Amazon、Google 和 Meta 宣布加入 「大型能源使用者承諾」（Large Energy Users Pledge），承諾 到 2050 年將全球核能產能提高三倍。該倡議由 世界核能協會（World Nuclear Association） 領導，並獲 Siemens Energy、Dow、Occidental 等多家企業支持。隨著 AI 數據中心能源需求激增，科技公司正尋找 穩定、清潔能源的替代方案。

📌 關鍵亮點：

• Meta 收到 50 多份核能開發提案，計劃在美國擴建 1-4 GW 的核能發電容量。
• Amazon 已投資 10 億美元於核能，以支持 2040 年淨零排放承諾。
• Google 簽署 核能供電協議，推動 2030 年達成 24/7 無碳能源運營。

世界核能協會 預計未來將有更多企業加入倡議，涵蓋 航運、航空、石油天然氣 等行業。該協會強調，核能是確保全球技術與經濟發展的關鍵清潔能源解決方案。

Tech giants Amazon, Google, and Meta have joined a global initiative to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, aligning with their efforts to meet growing AI-driven energy demands while maintaining carbon reduction goals. The "Large Energy Users Pledge," led by the World Nuclear Association, includes signatories such as Siemens Energy, Dow, and Occidental.

📌 Key Developments:

• Meta received 50+ proposals from nuclear developers for 1-4 GW of capacity in the U.S.
• Amazon invested $1 billion in nuclear energy to support its net-zero by 2040 commitment.
• Google is deploying advanced nuclear technology for data centers, aiming for 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.

The World Nuclear Association anticipates more companies from aviation, maritime, and oil & gas sectors to join the pledge. Leaders emphasized that nuclear power is essential for ensuring reliable, firm clean energy to sustain technological growth and economic development.


3.美國參議院共和黨推動立法 保護美企免受歐盟永續盡職調查規範影響
Senate Republicans Introduce Legislation to Shield U.S. Companies from EU Sustainability Rules

 

美國參議員 比爾·哈格蒂（Bill Hagerty） 宣布提出 《保護美國法案》（PROTECT USA Act），旨在阻止美國企業受歐盟《企業永續盡職調查指令》（CSDDD）約束。該指令要求企業對供應鏈中的 童工、奴役、污染、碳排放、森林砍伐、生態破壞 等問題進行風險評估與整改。

📌 法案關鍵內容：

• 農業、採礦、能源、木材、製造業等美企 將不受 CSDDD 約束
• 不承認外國法院 依據 CSDDD 作出的裁決
• 阻止歐盟對美國企業實施相關懲罰

哈格蒂批評 歐盟過度監管影響美國主權，並強調美國企業應遵循 本國法律 而非 外國立法者的規範。該提案獲得 參議院銀行委員會 支持，並反映美國政府對 歐盟可持續發展法規的強烈反對。

U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty introduced the "PROTECT USA Act", a bill designed to shield American companies from compliance with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The directive, adopted in 2024, requires companies to assess and mitigate sustainability risks such as child labor, pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions across their supply chains.

📌 Key Provisions of the Bill:

• U.S. companies in agriculture, mining, energy, timber, and manufacturing will not be subject to CSDDD
• Foreign court rulings based on CSDDD will not be recognized in the U.S.
• Prevents EU-imposed penalties on U.S. firms

Hagerty called the EU’s directive “an ideological regulatory overreach” that infringes on U.S. sovereignty, stating that American businesses should be governed by U.S. laws, not foreign regulations. The bill aligns with growing Republican opposition to international sustainability mandates impacting U.S. businesses.

4.英國渣打銀行發行 10 億美元社會債券 支持新興市場永續發展
Standard Chartered Issues $1 Billion Social Bond to Fund Sustainable Development in Emerging Markets

 

英國跨國銀行 渣打銀行（Standard Chartered） 宣布發行 首支社會債券，成功籌集 10 億歐元（約 11 億美元），用於支持 新興市場低收入國家的永續發展。

📌 關鍵亮點：

• 資金將 提供中小企業（SMEs）貸款，並支持醫療、教育等基本服務
• 促進基礎建設、糧食安全發展，符合渣打永續金融承諾
• 99% 社會資產配置於亞洲、非洲及中東，回應這些市場的資金需求

渣打永續長 Marisa Drew 表示，此發行 強調該行對社會發展的承諾，並藉此大規模動員資本 促進包容性成長。集團 CFO Diego De Giorgi 則指出，渣打憑藉其全球資本市場優勢，將資金從已開發市場引導至最需要永續金融的新興市場，推動 全球超過 4 兆美元的年度投資需求。

Standard Chartered has issued its first-ever Social Bond, raising €1 billion ($1.1 billion) to support sustainable development in low-income emerging markets.

📌 Key Highlights:

• Proceeds will finance SMEs and expand access to essential services like healthcare and education
• Supports affordable infrastructure and food security in alignment with the bank’s sustainability goals
• 99% of social finance assets are directed towards Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, addressing acute financial needs

Marisa Drew, CSO of Standard Chartered, emphasized the bank’s commitment to mobilizing large-scale capital to promote inclusive growth. Group CFO Diego De Giorgi highlighted Standard Chartered’s role in channeling capital from developed markets into emerging economies, where $4 trillion in annual investment is required to support long-term sustainable development.


資料來源：ESG TODAY