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Amid these efforts, investors continue to grapple with how to gauge which companies are climate conscious given the struggles to standardize ESG data.
This week's newsletter also explores comments made at a recent industry conference in Kentucky where speakers said fossil fuel companies should be thanked, not blamed, for their work. And our Chart of the Week examines how one German utility is targeting growth in renewables to counter government-mandated phaseout policies that will decimate its coal power plants.
Chart of the Week

Top Stories
NY climate week marked with pledges, new initiatives
The United Nations held an all-day climate action summit Sept. 23, during which heads of state and corporations announced ongoing, and some new, climate-related ambitions.
As green financing accelerates, concern grows about gaps in ESG data
Pension funds, banks and insurers were among companies that unveiled sweeping plans to realign parts of their businesses to better account for the rising threat of climate change. But there are still concerns that investors may not be able to identify those companies, given the lack of standardized and comprehensive ESG data.
Stop 'fossil fuel apology tour,' speakers urge U.S. state lawmakers
Members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said at a recent industry conference that the blame fossil fuel companies receive for their carbon emissions is largely unwarranted.
New RWE bets big on green growth
Germany's RWE AG is about to embark on a spending spree to cement its position as one of the largest renewables utilities in the world, leveraging a complex deal to acquire a global wind and solar portfolio while starting on the long road to phase out its legacy coal-fired fleet.
Environmental
Coal largely absent from clean energy transition discussion, planning
More oil, gas companies seek greater role in shift to clean energy
Businesses make moves to 100% renewable electricity, fleet electrification
Western European cities continue to lead the pack in green finance
Social
Goldman Sachs unit settles Labor Department's pay bias charges
Moody's sees significant water risks for global mining industry
Governance
SEC divided over ESG disclosures as pressure from Congress rises
Greek banks get tougher on governance, sustainability
BIS rolls out open-ended green bond fund for central banks
ESG Indexes

Upcoming Events
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Oct. 2-3
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Dec. 3
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Questions or suggestions? Contact S&P Global Market Intelligence's ESG News team at ESGNews@spglobal.com.
