Today’s ESG Updates
Australia-Turkey Standoff Puts COP31 Hosting at Risk: Australia’s plan to host next year’s climate summit is delayed as Turkey also bids, risking jobs, investment, and renewable energy promotion.
Solar and Wind Lead Global Power Growth as Fossil Fuels Stall: For the first time since COVID, coal and gas electricity didn’t grow in 2025, with China leading solar and wind expansion.
Peru’s Amazon Oil Revival Sparks Indigenous Concerns: Petroperu plans to restart northern Amazon oil production, facing Indigenous opposition over spills, cleanup, and slow community benefits.
COP30 Launches Fight Against Climate Disinformation: Twelve countries commit to accurate climate reporting and transparency, aiming to reduce misinformation and greenwashing.
Delay in COP31 Could Hurt Australia’s Clean Energy Push
Australia’s plan to host next year’s COP31 climate meeting has been halted because Turkey also wants to host it. The event was meant to show Australia’s change toward clean energy and support for the Pacific Island countries, but if the two sides don’t agree, Germany might end up hosting it instead. Turkey wants the meeting to focus on helping developing countries pay for climate projects, while Australia wants to show its progress in renewable energy. The delay is worrying some people, who say Australia could miss a big chance to boost jobs, investment, and its involvement in fighting climate change.
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Further reading: Australia’s green energy push, Pacific ties face setback from COP31 impasse
2025 Marks a Turning Point for Global Clean Energy
Coal and gas output stalled in 2025 as solar and wind, led by China, took the lead in global power growth. photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
A new report by Ember Energy says the amount of electricity made from coal and gas didn’t increase in 2025. This is the first time that’s happened since the COVID pandemic. Now, the newest power comes from solar and wind power. China started building the cleanest energy and making most of the world’s solar panels and wind turbines. The U.S. and Europe also added some solar power, but still mostly use fossil fuels to meet ongoing demand from data centers. People say that next year will show whether clean energy can continue to grow and finally replace fossil fuels for good.
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Further reading: Fossil Electricity Not Growing Globally, So What Is Growing And Where
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Peru Plans Amazon Oil Restart Amid Indigenous Opposition
Indigenous groups in Peru’s Amazon protest Petroperu’s plan to restart oil drilling, citing pollution, unfulfilled promises, and threats to their lands. photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Peru’s state oil company, Petroperu, is planning to restart oil production in the northern Amazon, where past spills have caused pollution and harmed local communities. Indigenous groups oppose the plan, requesting cleanup and enhanced protection for their rivers and forests. “They say this is clean,” said Macusi, a 25-year-old Indigenous Urarina leader, pointing to the spot where an oil spill occurred in early 2023. “But if you move the water, oil still comes out.” Petroperu aims to utilize a local company, Upland Oil & Gas, and connect its pipelines to Ecuador to enhance supply. Cleanup costs are high, and promised benefits to communities, such as jobs and funding, have been slow to materialize. Tensions remain high, with Indigenous communities saying they might act if their concerns are not addressed.
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Further reading: Can Peru reboot its Amazon oil? Pollution fallout and local opposition loom
Leaders Launch Global Effort Against Greenwashing
At COP30 in Belém, world leaders, including President Lula and UN chief Guterres, launch a global pledge to fight climate disinformation and greenwashing. photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
At COP30 in Belem, countries are taking action against greenwashing for the first time. Leaders, including Brazil’s President Lula, “We live in an era in which obscurantists reject scientific evidence and attack institutions. It is time to deliver yet another defeat to denialism,” Lula said, and UN Secretary-General Guterres, stated that false information about climate change hinders real action. A new declaration was launched by 12 countries, committing to sharing accurate climate information, supporting independent reporting, and making facts available to everyone. It also requires businesses to provide accurate and truthful information. People say disinformation helps fossil fuel interests and makes it harder to fight climate change. This initiative aims to give people the knowledge they need.
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Further reading: ‘COP of truth’: ‘COP of truth’: Countries commit to tackling climate disinformation at UN climate summit
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: Adelaide Convention Centre. Cover Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons