Finance, Markets & Investing News | ESG & Sustainability | OneStop ESG

Breathe Battery Technologies Secures $21M to Revolutionize Battery Innovation

Schroders Greencoat Buys $610M Stake in Ørsted’s UK Wind Farm

Mining Waste Reimagined: Exterra’s $14 Million Push for Circular Sustainability

Montreal-based Exterra Carbon Solutions has raised $14.5 million to scale its clean-tech platform that converts asbestos mining waste into essential materials for electric vehicles and low-carbon construction. Backed by top-tier climate investors and the Quebec government, the startup is building the world’s largest asbestos mitigation facility, aiming to reprocess over 300,000 tons of waste per year. With vast reserves of legacy tailings across the region and strong public-private support, Exterra is redefining what mining can mean in a circular, sustainable economy.

Power Move: $330M Fund Fuels Decarbonization Drive Across North America

Power Sustainable, a subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada, has launched a $330 million private equity strategy focused on accelerating decarbonization in North America. The fund, backed by major institutions like Canada Life and Export Development Canada, targets established U.S. and Canadian middle-market companies in high-impact sectors such as energy, industry, transportation, and the built environment. Rather than speculative startups, the focus is on proven businesses that need capital and support to scale their climate-positive solutions. Led by Karine Khatcherian and Martin Aares, the strategy emphasizes collaboration with management teams to build long-term resilience and sustainability. This initiative signals a growing role for private capital in bridging the climate investment gap and future-proofing the economy.

Ara Partners Secures $800 Million for Decarbonization Infrastructure Fund

Ara Partners has raised over $800 million for its debut Ara Infrastructure Fund I, exceeding its $500 million target, to invest in mid-market decarbonization infrastructure across Europe and North America. Launched in 2022 and led by George Yong and Teresa O’Flynn, the fund focuses on building or repurposing assets in sectors like energy efficiency and green fuels, addressing the underserved middle market. It has made three investments—Lincoln (U.S. terminal services), USD Clean Fuels (renewable fuel logistics), and Natural World Products (Irish organics recycling)—with a fourth pending, managing 12 assets. The fund aims to capitalize on rising energy demand and decentralized systems, delivering emissions reductions and economic returns, supported by Ara’s operational expertise and a diverse investor base.

Pioneer Raises $1.2 Billion for Article 9 Sustainable Infrastructure Fund

Pioneer Point Partners, a London-based sustainable infrastructure firm, raised €1.1 billion (USD$1.2 billion) for its second fund, Pioneer Infrastructure Partners II, exceeding its €800 million target in just 12 months. Classified as Article 9 under the EU’s SFDR, the fund focuses on energy transition and environment sectors in Western Europe’s lower mid-market. It attracted pension funds, insurers, and endowments, with over 50% of commitments from existing investors. The fund has invested in Yeager Energy (Dutch geothermal) and OG Clean Fuels (clean fuel stations), with a third investment planned for Q2 2025. Pioneer’s strategy aligns with UN SDGs, targeting high-impact projects like renewable energy and circular economy initiatives to support Europe’s climate neutrality goals.

Brazil’s Mombak Raises $30 Million to Scale Amazon Reforestation and Carbon Removal Projects

Mombak, a Brazilian carbon removal startup, has raised $30 million in Series A funding led by Union Square Ventures to expand large-scale reforestation in the Amazon. Backed by over $150 million in carbon credit contracts and growing global demand, Mombak is positioning itself as a key player in turning restoration into climate action—though challenges remain in ensuring long-term forest stewardship and equitable benefit sharing.

UNDP launches global sustainable finance office in Dublin with €7.5M Irish support

UNDP and the Irish Government have launched a new Project Office for Sustainable Finance in Dublin with €7.5 million in funding. The office will support over 40 countries by advancing climate, nature, and development-aligned finance, while reinforcing Ireland’s emerging leadership in global sustainable finance.

Green Steel Startup Electra Raises $186 Million to Scale Clean Iron Production

Green Isn’t Always Clean: The Dark Side of ESG Certifications

Not all that’s labeled “green” is truly sustainable. As ESG certifications and ratings flood the market, many finance and sustainability professionals are beginning to ask tough questions. Why do some green bonds fund fossil fuel-linked projects? How can a company score high on ESG while harming the environment? In this editorial, we explore how current frameworks and certifications often miss the mark—and how that gap fuels widespread greenwashing. Through global examples—from the EU Taxonomy to MSCI ratings to LEED-certified buildings—we unpack where the system breaks down, and what credible sustainability really looks like. If you’re navigating ESG decisions, this article offers a practical lens to assess labels more critically and avoid being misled by appearances.

Crux Raises $50M to Build Central Capital Markets Platform for Clean Energy Financing

Crux’s $50 million Series B marks a critical milestone in scaling a centralized capital markets platform purpose-built for the clean economy. Backed by an expanding network of institutional capital and driven by a mission to streamline clean energy financing, Crux is well positioned to play a pivotal role in deploying billions into the infrastructure needed to meet climate and energy goals worldwide.

NovoMOF Raises $5.4M to Scale Low-Cost Carbon Capture Technology

With new funding and a bold 2030 target, novoMOF is advancing one of the most promising carbon capture solutions on the market. Its precision-engineered MOFs offer a rare combination of high efficiency, low cost, and broad deployment potential—from factories to freight ships. If successful, the company could play a pivotal role in enabling net-zero targets across multiple sectors.