Latest News | ESG Analysis & Insights | OneStop ESG

Pentagon Chief Scraps Women, Peace, and Security Program Originated Under Trump

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has officially canceled the Women, Peace, and Security program—a pioneering law passed under President Trump to integrate women in global peace and security efforts. Though once hailed as a bipartisan achievement and international model, the program is now being dismantled by the very administration that launched it. The move reflects a broader rollback of inclusion-focused policies at the Pentagon and has drawn criticism from global institutions like the United Nations.

Nestlé, ofi Launch Project to Reduce Emissions and Deforestation from Cocoa Supply Chain

Nestlé and ofi have launched a cocoa agroforestry initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions and deforestation. By engaging 25,000 farmers across Brazil, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, the initiative plans to convert farms to regenerative agriculture practices, including planting over 2.8 million trees and cultivating 72,000 hectares of agroforestry. The project is expected to cut over 1.5 million tons of CO2 over the next 30 years, supporting Nestlé’s net-zero emissions commitment by 2050.

Brazil Targets $2B in Sustainable Finance to Restore 1 Million Hectares of Degraded Land

Brazil’s Eco Invest Brazil program is launching a $2 billion blended-finance auction to support large-scale sustainable land restoration, with a focus on degraded pastures. With $1 billion in public funds and significant international private capital required, the program is set to become a pioneering effort in climate-aligned investment in emerging markets and a cornerstone of Brazil’s ecological transformation.

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.

Cooling Earth's climate with commercial aircraft may be possible

A groundbreaking study from University College London finds that commercial aircraft may already be capable of performing climate-cooling aerosol injections over polar regions. While less efficient than tropical, high-altitude deployments, this method could offer a faster and cheaper stopgap in the race to cool Earth—though serious equity and environmental challenges remain.

Sectarian clashes near Damascus leave 13 dead as tensions rise in Druze town

Sectarian violence in Jaramana, near Damascus, has left at least 13 dead after a voice recording allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammad sparked Sunni-Druze tensions. The clash highlights deep-seated fears among minority groups and growing instability under Syria’s new Islamist-led government.

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.

Microsoft Signs 44,000-Tonne Carbon Removal Deal with Carba Using Biochar Burial

Microsoft has signed a five-year agreement with Carba to purchase 44,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits beginning in 2025. Carba uses a pyrolysis process to convert biogenic waste into biochar for permanent carbon storage. The partnership represents a significant step toward scalable, monitored carbon removal technologies.

France Launches Charter to Support Use of High-Integrity Carbon Credits

France’s new charter for carbon credits emphasizes high integrity and transparency in the carbon market, aligning with the Paris Agreement. Companies are now required to prioritize emissions reductions while using carbon credits only as a complement to their decarbonization efforts. This initiative aims to provide a credible framework for the global carbon market and encourage businesses to invest in high-quality, impactful projects.

Why is South Africa rising? The answer lies in a drying Earth

New research reveals that South Africa’s land is rising—not because of deep Earth forces, but due to drought-driven water loss. GNSS data shows that as groundwater disappears, the land rebounds upward. This shift, tracked precisely by satellite and GPS networks, could reshape how we monitor water stress in the climate era.

Mobile CO₂ Capture Tech to Decarbonise Diesel Freight Trains

Carbon is captured as the train moves, then cooled and compressed into a liquid state. Investors are hopeful that the technology has great potential to scale and decarbonise the freight industry.

Goldman Sachs shareholders stand firm on DEI, reject conservative rollback push