This week in ESG news: BCG announces carbon removal & consulting agreement; Microsoft signs massive 12 GW solar deal; BlackRock acquires infrastructure giant GIP; BNP Paribas AM launches new global sustainability strategy; Volvo Cars hires new global head of sustainability; Apex launches new ESG advisory & reporting business; Blackstone’s Sphera acquires sustainable supply chain software provider; Robeco to target sustainable fashion, ‘forever chemicals’ in corporate engagements; capital raises for advanced recycling tech, distributed energy; IEA says 2023 a record year for renewables, and more.

See below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:

Sustainability Goals, Initiatives and Achievements

BCG Signs Carbon Removal and Consulting Agreement with 1PointFive

Electrolux Sets Science-Based Goals to Reduce Emissions from Products, Operations

Whirlpool Adds Onsite Wind and Solar at U.S. Plants

BMW to Produce only All-Electric Vehicles at Munich Plant from 2027

Engie Acquires Majority Stake in 194 MW Spanish Wind Portfolio from Mirova

Caterpillar, CRH Launch Partnership to Deploy Electric Off-Highway Trucks

Norway’s Statkraft to Invest up to €6 Billion in Hydro, Wind Power

ADNOC Acquires 10% Stake in Carbon Capture Developer Storegga

Microsoft Signs 12 GW U.S. Solar Panel Procurement Deal with QCells

Government & Regulators

Former UK Conservative Energy Minister Resigns over Government Plan for New North Sea Oil & Gas Licenses

ESG Services and Tools

Apex Group Launches ESG Advisory and Reporting Unit

Anthesis Acquires Sustainability Consultancy Revolt

Sphera Acquires Supply Chain Sustainability Software Provider SupplyShift

Guest Post: As Climate Challenges Mount, the Tech to Address Them is Going Global

Robeco to Target Sustainable Fashion, Ocean & Climate Sustainability, ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Corporate Engagements

Sustainable Finance

Iberdrola Secures €300 Million ESG-Linked Loan from World Bank for Energy Transition Projects in Emerging Markets

Private Equity & Venture Capital

BlackRock Acquires Infrastructure Giant GIP for $12.5 Billion

Circularity Tech Startup Resynergi Raises $6.4 Million to Scale Plastic Recycling Solution

I Squared Invests $400 Million in Brazil-based Clean Energy Platform Órigo Energia

ESG Investing

BNP Paribas AM to Expand Range of Sustainable, Impact Investment Solutions

S&P DJI Launches SDG-Aligned S&P 500 and Global LargeMidCap-based Indices

Exec Moves

Climate Consultancy The Carbon Trust Appoints Chris Stark as New CEO

ABN AMRO Appoints Tanja Kramer as Head of Sustainable Impact Fund

Volvo Cars Hires Vanessa Butani as Head of Global Sustainability

Reports, Studies & Surveys

Renewable Energy Growth Jumps by 50% in 2023, On Track to Overtake Coal Next Year: IEA