This week in ESG news: A big step towards integrated reporting with merger of SASB and IIRC; Biden picks Kerry to lead on climate, elevates climate to national security portfolio; FSB warns of climate risks to stability of financial system and markets; S&P DJI launches index designed to improve sustainability behavior; the largest ever offshore wind financing reaches close; railways challenged by investor on emissions plans and disclosure; energy giant plans billions in renewables capex; Canadian investors call for improved sustainability disclosure, 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

Bain Launches Global Sustainability Innovation Center in Singapore

Enel 10-Year Plan Includes €70B Investments in Renewables, Big Increases in Sustainable Finance

Diageo Launches 2030 SDG-aligned Sustainability Plan with 25 New ESG Goals

Vodafone Accelerates Emission Goals by 10 Years, Targets Net Zero Carbon in 2040

Government, Regulators and Politics

Biden Appoints John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

GM Abandons Trump in California; Biden Applauds

Sustainable Finance

Stora Enso Issues €500 Million Green Bond

Euler Hermes Launches Sustainable Finance-focused Credit Insurance Solution

Markets

S&P DJI Launches Korean Index Promoting Improved Emissions Behavior by Companies

FSB Warns of Risks to International Financial Stability Arising from Climate Change

Reporting and Disclosure

SASB Merges with IIRC to form the Value Reporting Foundation

Canada’s Largest Pension Managers Call on Companies and Investors to Improve ESG Reporting

Energy Transition

Equinor and SSE Announce Close on Largest Ever Offshore Wind Project Financing

Ørsted and Shell Sign Massive Renewable Energy PPAs with World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm

ESG Services and Tools

SEB Unveils New ESG Assessment Methodology to Evaluate Financial Impact of Sustainability Factors

Greenstone Integrates SASB Standards into ESG Software Solutions

Funds and Investors

NN IP Provides Access for Institutional Investors to ESG-Aligned Trade Finance with New Fund

M&G Creates New Stewardship and Sustainability Team, Appoints Rob Marshall to Lead

Investor Engagement

Investor Action: $30 Billion Fund Targets CN and CP on Climate Change Plans

Exec Appointments

MAPFRE Appoints Mónica Zuleta Díaz as New Group Head of Sustainability

Reports, Studies, Surveys

RIA Report: Responsible Investing Taking Off in Canada, with AUM Reaching $3.2 Trillion

Fitch Ratings Outlines Impact of Transition to Sustainable Economy on Financials