ESG International Weekly News 8/5 -8/11

1.🌲 Meta Pilots Mass Timber to Cut Data Center Carbon Footprint

Meta is piloting the use of industrial-scale mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam) in place of steel and concrete in its data center buildings. The first administrative facility in Aiken, South Carolina, achieved an estimated 41% reduction in embodied carbon, covering all life cycle phases from timber harvesting, processing, and transport to construction and demolition. Prefabricated components shorten build times, reduce on-site emissions, and cut concrete use; lighter weight reduces foundation requirements. Mass timber also offers high strength, fire resistance, and biophilic benefits to improve worker well-being and productivity. Meta plans to roll out similar projects at its Wyoming and Alabama campuses as part of its 2030 net-zero emissions strategy.
 

2.💻 Lenovo Launches TruScale DaaS for Circular IT

Lenovo has launched TruScale Device-as-a-Service for Sustainability, a subscription-based IT lifecycle management program requiring no upfront payment. The service includes a Carbon Impact Portal for real-time device footprint tracking, certified refurbished device options, asset recovery, and carbon offset add-ons. Organizations have reported up to 35% IT cost savings, with returns on investment in a matter of weeks. The program integrates refurbishment, reporting, and sustainability tracking to extend device lifespans, reduce e-waste, and optimize carbon reduction efforts.
 

3.💹 China to Implement New Unified Green Finance Taxonomy in Oct 2025

China’s central bank (PBoC), National Financial Regulatory Administration, and China Securities Regulatory Commission have jointly issued the updated Green Finance Endorsed Project Catalogue, effective October 1, 2025. The unified standard merges previous green bond and loan frameworks and expands eligible categories to include energy conservation, resource recycling, green trade, and industrial low-carbon transitions. The new taxonomy aims to lower project identification costs, boost market liquidity, and improve capital allocation efficiency while enhancing the global credibility of Chinese green finance products.
 

4.♻ EU Opens Public Consultation on Circular Economy Act

On August 1, 2025, the European Commission opened a public consultation and call for evidence on its upcoming Circular Economy Act, running until November 6, 2025. The Act aims to raise the EU’s overall circularity rate, create a unified single market for secondary raw materials, improve e-waste recovery and reuse, digitize cross-border waste shipment tracking, and harmonize “green list” waste classifications. It will also coordinate extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, product design requirements, and public procurement rules. The proposal is expected to be tabled in 2026 as part of the EU’s clean industry strategy.
 

5.⚖ Shein Fined €1 Million for Greenwashing in Italy

Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) has fined Infinite Styles Services, the Dublin-based entity operating Shein’s European websites, €1 million (approx. $1.16 million) for misleading or vague environmental claims. AGCM found that sustainability statements in its “#SHEINTHEKNOW” section and “evoluSHEIN by Design” collection exaggerated recyclability and environmental benefits, while the claimed carbon reduction targets (25% by 2030, net-zero by 2050) were inconsistent with actual emissions, which have risen since 2023. This follows a €40 million fine imposed by France for similar issues. Shein stated it has cooperated fully, strengthened internal review processes, and updated website content to meet regulatory requirements.