ESG 國際新聞週報 9/23 - 9/29

Resource:ESG NEWS, ESG Today

1.BlackRock, Microsoft Partnership to Raise $30 Billion to Invest in AI Infrastructure and Energy
貝萊德（BlackRock）與微軟（Microsoft）宣布合作計劃籌集300億美元，投資於人工智慧基礎設施和能源項目
 

BlackRock, Microsoft, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Abu Dhabi-based AI company MGX announced the formation of the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP), aimed at investing in new and expanded data centers and the energy infrastructure needed to power them. The partnership seeks to raise $30 billion in private equity, mobilizing up to $100 billion when including debt financing. GAIIP will primarily invest in the U.S., with a focus on scaling data centers and supporting AI with decarbonization and energy investments.

As AI drives higher demand for computing power, the need for additional energy has challenged tech companies' decarbonization efforts. Microsoft’s Scope 3 emissions rose by more than 30% from 2020 to 2023, largely due to the increased energy requirements of AI-related data centers. Similar challenges have affected Google and Amazon. The partnership aligns with BlackRock’s investment mega-trends, such as infrastructure and energy transition, and seeks to unlock long-term investment opportunities while supporting economic growth and job creation.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink emphasized the multi-trillion-dollar potential of investing in AI infrastructure, calling data centers the foundation of the digital economy. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the importance of building sustainable infrastructure to power future innovations in AI.

 

BlackRock、微軟、全球基礎設施投資者Global Infrastructure Partners及阿布扎比專注於AI發展的公司MGX今日宣布，成立全球AI基礎設施投資夥伴關係（GAIIP），這是一個專注於AI的新投資夥伴關係，旨在投資新建和擴展的數據中心以及為這些設施提供能源的新基礎設施。

該夥伴關係的目標是從投資者、資產擁有者和企業籌集300億美元的私募股權資金，並通過債務融資動員多達1000億美元的資金。GAIIP的投資主要集中在美國，該夥伴關係旨在推動數據中心的高效擴展，並為相關的AI基礎設施提供能源、電力和去碳化的投資能力。

AI的迅速增長推動了對計算能力的巨大需求，進而需要大量能源來支持數據中心的運營。雖然數據中心的快速增長和所需的能源對技術公司如微軟的去碳化目標造成了挑戰，但該夥伴關係計劃以可持續的方式建設未來的基礎設施，推動經濟增長。

微軟董事長兼首席執行官Satya Nadella表示，這一合作將推動各行業的創新和增長，並在全球範圍內建設支持AI發展的可持續基礎設施。

BlackRock、微軟、基礎設施投資者Global Infrastructure Partners與阿布扎比的AI開發公司MGX宣布成立全球AI基礎設施投資夥伴關係（GAIIP），專注於投資新數據中心及其能源基礎設施，為AI提供支持。該合作夥伴計劃從投資者籌集300億美元，總動員資金達1000億美元。隨著AI對計算能力的需求增加，數據中心的擴張面臨能源挑戰，此合作旨在推動相關基礎設施的可持續發展。

2.EU Commission Proposes Carbon Footprint Labels for Flights
歐盟委員會提議為航班引入碳足跡標籤
 

The European Commission announced the launch of a consultation for the proposed EU Flight Emissions Label (FEL), which aims to provide passengers with information about the carbon footprint of their flights. Part of the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulations aimed at decarbonizing aviation, FEL will standardize flight emissions data, ensuring passengers can access consistent and verified CO2 information when booking flights. Currently, only 5% of passengers have access to such data, though 80% want to know their flight’s carbon impact.

Airlines operating within or departing from the EU will be able to voluntarily join the FEL initiative by 2025. The label will display emissions data based on standardized factors like aircraft type, passenger load, and fuel usage. A website will also allow the public to compare airlines' emissions and view rankings of companies with the lowest emissions per route. This initiative is expected to improve transparency, protect passengers from greenwashing, and incentivize airlines to invest in cleaner fuels and more efficient operations.

EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Transport Wopke Hoekstra emphasized that the FEL will help consumers make informed decisions and create a level playing field for airlines that prioritize environmental performance. Feedback from EU residents will be collected via a Public Consultation.

 

歐盟委員會今日宣布啟動針對「歐盟航班排放標籤（FEL）」提案的公眾諮詢，該標籤旨在向乘客提供其航班碳足跡的詳細信息。這項提案是歐盟去年通過的RefuelEU航空法規的一部分，目的是實現航空業的去碳化。根據這一計劃，乘客在網上訂票時將能看到標準化的航班碳排放信息。調查顯示，雖然80%的乘客希望了解航班的碳排放量，但目前只有5%的乘客能夠獲得這類信息。

目前，航空公司提供的排放數據方法不一，有時導致誤導性或不清晰的環境影響聲明，甚至被指控「漂綠」。FEL將確保所有航班排放的估算基於統一的標準和受監管的方法，考慮飛機型號、平均乘客數量、貨物運輸量以及所使用的航空燃料等因素。FEL將自2025年起自願供在歐盟內部或從歐盟起飛的航空公司參與。乘客在訂票時將看到FEL標誌及相應的排放數據，幫助他們做出更明智的選擇，同時保護他們免受不實排放聲明的影響。

此外，該計劃還將推出一個網站，允許公眾比較不同航空公司在相同航線上的排放數據，並查看每條航線上排放最低的航空公司排名。這不僅提高了透明度，還有助於乘客選擇環境表現更好的航空公司。

歐盟氣候行動與交通事務專員Wopke Hoekstra表示：「未來的航班排放標籤將讓我們更容易在購票前獲得經過驗證的航班二氧化碳排放信息，並確保競爭同航線的航空公司在公平競爭的基礎上運營。這將激勵航空公司通過使用更高效的飛機和更可持續的航空燃料來改善其環境表現。」

歐盟居民可以通過委員會設置的公眾諮詢平台對這一提案發表意見，該提案被認為是航空業實現全球氣候目標的重要一步。

3.U.S. Boards Deprioritizing ESG, with Most Saying it’s Not the Same as Sustainability: PwC Survey
普華永道（PwC）最新調查顯示，美國公司董事會逐漸減少對ESG議題的關注
 

Corporate boards in the U.S. are experiencing a declining focus on ESG issues, with fewer than half (47%) regularly including ESG on their agenda, down from 52% last year, according to PwC’s latest Annual Corporate Directors Survey. The report highlights confusion surrounding the term ESG, with many directors viewing it as ambiguous, and only 7% agreeing that ESG means the same as sustainability. Larger companies are more likely to connect ESG with performance, with 32% of directors seeing a direct impact on financial results, compared to only 15% at smaller firms.

The survey also found that only 57% of boards feel prepared to oversee upcoming mandatory ESG disclosures, and 56% are aware of how climate commitments will affect capital allocation. While many boards are grappling with how to integrate ESG effectively, topics such as data security and talent management are receiving the most attention, with 95% of respondents discussing these issues at least once over the past year. Directors are urged to go beyond terminology and focus on sustainable value creation and strategic risk management to ensure long-term success.

 

根據普華永道最新的《美國年度企業董事調查報告》，美國公司董事會對ESG（環境、社會和治理）議題的關注度逐漸減少，僅有47%的董事會將ESG列入常規議程，低於去年的52%和2022年的55%。報告指出，對於ESG的定義，許多董事感到不確定，66%的受訪者認為「ESG對不同的人有不同的含義」，超過三分之一的人認為ESG已成為一個具爭議性的術語，不再具有價值。只有7%的董事認為ESG與可持續性具有相同的含義。

報告還顯示，對於ESG的理解存在不足，僅有42%的受訪董事認為董事會內對ESG有一致的理解。這一問題在小型公司尤為明顯，僅36%的小公司董事認為他們理解ESG，相比之下，大公司中有52%的董事表示理解一致。此外，大公司董事更傾向於認為ESG與公司績效有直接聯繫，32%的大公司董事認為ESG對公司財務表現有影響，而小公司中只有15%的董事這樣認為。

儘管ESG的理解和實施存在挑戰，企業在應對這些議題時面臨重大決策。報告顯示，只有57%的董事會認為他們已準備好監督即將到來的強制性ESG披露，僅有56%的董事了解公司氣候承諾如何影響資本配置決策。此外，報告還指出，數據安全和人才管理是目前董事會最為關注的ESG相關議題，超過95%的董事會在過去一年內至少討論過一次這些問題，67%的董事會至少討論過碳排放問題，60%的董事會討論過氣候變化，52%的董事會討論過自願性披露的強化措施。

普華永道強調，董事需要超越對ESG的術語關注，深入理解管理層如何識別公司面臨的最重要風險，以及這些風險如何隨著時間的推移而演變。無論公司是否將其稱為ESG或可持續性，辨別能夠真正推動可持續價值創造的議題對於制定長期戰略計劃、識別和緩解重要風險以及發掘增長機會至關重要。

4.U.S. CFTC Approves First Guidelines for Trading Voluntary Carbon Credit Derivative Contracts
美國商品期貨交易委員會（CFTC）批准了首個針對自願碳信用衍生品合約交易的指導方針
 

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued its first guidelines for trading voluntary carbon credit derivative contracts, aiming to enhance transparency and integrity in this emerging market. These derivatives allow traders to speculate on or hedge against future carbon credit prices, similar to traditional derivatives in other financial markets. The CFTC's guidelines are designed to address issues like double-counting, quality concerns, and price manipulation, which have affected voluntary carbon markets.

CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam emphasized the agency’s key role in connecting financial markets with global decarbonization efforts. The guidelines reflect growing regulatory attention to greenwashing, where companies falsely exaggerate their environmental efforts. With U.S. and European regulators increasingly scrutinizing voluntary carbon markets, the CFTC’s move is seen as essential for protecting investors and boosting market confidence.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also endorsed the new guidelines, noting that they would help promote market integrity, liquidity, and price transparency. These standards are part of a broader effort to strengthen carbon markets, helping companies offset emissions and support global decarbonization initiatives. The guidelines mark a significant step toward ensuring that carbon markets effectively contribute to global climate change goals and a sustainable future.

 

美國商品期貨交易委員會（CFTC）首次發布了針對自願碳信用衍生品交易的指導方針，旨在提高市場透明度並加強市場誠信。這些指導方針標誌著該新興市場的重要進展，提供了急需的監管框架，以確保市場的健康發展。

自願碳信用衍生品是一種基於碳信用的金融工具，碳信用代表著排放一公噸二氧化碳或等量溫室氣體的權利。這類衍生品允許交易者對未來的碳信用價格進行對沖或投機，運作方式類似於其他金融市場中的傳統衍生品。

規範新興市場
CFTC的指導方針旨在解決自願碳市場中存在的問題，包括質量問題、雙重計算風險和潛在的價格操縱。這些問題一直困擾著該市場的發展，CFTC希望通過加強監管和執行更高的標準來應對這些挑戰。

CFTC主席Rostin Behnam強調了該機構在監管這些新興市場中的關鍵角色，他指出：「CFTC獨特的使命是專注於風險緩解和價格發現，這讓我們處於金融市場與全球去碳化努力交匯點的最前線。」

打擊漂綠行為
美國和歐洲的監管機構對於企業誇大環保成就的「漂綠」行為越來越警惕。CFTC目前正在積極調查自願碳市場中的欺詐和不當行為，以保護投資者並提升市場的可信度。美國政府在2023年5月引入了新的規則來管理自願碳信用的使用，這些規則是在多個高調的碳抵消項目未能實現承諾的減排效果後出台的，旨在恢復市場信心。

財政部長珍妮特·葉倫（Janet Yellen）支持CFTC的指導方針，表示「CFTC的指導將促進碳信用的誠信，並提升市場流動性和價格透明度」，她還強調這是政府應對氣候變化和加速清潔能源轉型的更廣泛努力的一部分。

碳市場的未來
這些新標準預計將加強碳市場在幫助公司實現可持續發展目標方面的作用。通過購買自願碳信用，企業可以通過支持減排項目（特別是在發展中國家）來抵消其溫室氣體排放。CFTC的舉措表明監管機構將更加強化對碳市場的管理，以支持全球應對氣候變化的努力，推動向可持續未來的發展。

5.LEGO Group Increases Renewable Content in Bricks by 83% in 2024
樂高集團其積木中的可再生材料含量增加了83%
 

The LEGO Group announced significant progress in its sustainability efforts, reporting an 83% increase in renewable content in its bricks during the first half of 2024. The company stated that 30% of the resin used was sourced through a "mass balance" approach, meaning 22% of its raw materials now come from renewable sources. This is part of LEGO’s broader commitment to producing sustainable products made from renewable or recycled materials by 2032, alongside its goal of achieving net zero emissions across its value chain by 2050 and reducing carbon emissions by 37% by 2032.

LEGO has invested in sustainable material research to reduce its product and packaging carbon footprint. After dropping plans to use rPET plastics from recycled bottles, the company continues testing new materials. By using the mass balance approach, LEGO aims to gradually increase renewable and recycled inputs in its raw materials, with suppliers certifying the renewable content purchased.

LEGO emphasized that while the mass balance approach is not the ultimate goal, it is currently the best available option to increase renewable material use and reduce fossil fuel dependence. The company believes that adopting this approach will drive market demand for renewable materials, ensuring a reliable supply for high-quality, durable LEGO bricks in the future.

 

樂高集團於2024年上半年推動其積木產品的永續發展，報告中顯示可再生材料的使用增加了83%。30%的樹脂是通過「質量平衡」方法獲得的，這意味著22%的原材料來自可再生來源。該方法允許將可再生資源與化石燃料混合使用，並通過證書確認樂高購買的可再生材料比例。這不僅幫助公司降低化石燃料依賴，還推動市場對可再生資源的需求。

樂高的永續承諾包括到2032年使用可再生或回收材料，並在2050年達到全價值鏈的淨零排放。此外，儘管放棄了使用回收塑料瓶製作積木的計劃，樂高依然在積極測試新材料，截至2023年已經測試超過600種材料。樂高強調，「質量平衡」是一個重要過渡階段，但不是最終目標。這一方法幫助公司增加可再生材料的使用，減少原生化石燃料的需求，推動市場更多生產可再生材料，確保未來能夠穩定供應高品質、耐用的積木。