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UK business lending growth forecast to halve this year. Net growth in lending from banks to businesses is expected to slow to 3.5% in 2024, down from 6.9% in 2025, amid global tensions and economic pressures.
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EY launches blueprint to integrate sustainability into enterprise strategy. The EY Sustainable Operating Blueprint provides a roadmap for embedding sustainability across organisations, moving beyond isolated efforts. It aims to unlock innovation and resilience as a strategic value driver.
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Microsoft achieves renewable energy goal, a key sustainability milestone. The tech giant met its target to match its annual global electricity consumption with renewable energy, part of its broader aim to be carbon negative by 2030 and remove historical emissions by 2050.
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ESSEC has opened a Mumbai hub during Macron’s India visit. The school says the outpost will deepen partnerships, boost recruitment, and expand student mobility. It is developing initiatives with CentraleSupélec, IIM Bangalore, and the Indian School of Business, aiming to combine management and engineering education with industry links in India.
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New ISO standard aids climate adaptation efforts for organisations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has introduced ISO 14092:2026 to assist organisations, including local governments, in developing and implementing climate adaptation plans, addressing fragmented efforts and enhancing access to adaptation finance.
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NatWest eases lending restrictions amid energy security pressures. The bank has relaxed its fossil fuel lending policies, reflecting increased energy security concerns and shifting national priorities despite global climate goals.
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Mature knowledge systems determine AI and growth outcomes. A global iManage study finds organisations with strong knowledge foundations are nearly twice as likely to report revenue growth and are significantly more successful at embedding AI into daily operations.
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Google partners with Open Partners on proprietary ad tech. The collaboration will see the independent agency’s Automated Campaign Execution platform — ACE — formally developed within the Google ecosystem ahead of a planned early 2026 launch, following reported uplifts of 20–30% in ROAS and conversions.
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AI adoption in finance reaches near-universal industry penetration. New research from Finastra finds just 2% of financial institutions report no use of artificial intelligence, as organisations shift from experimentation to scaled deployment across risk, customer service, and compliance functions.
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BNP Paribas surpasses low-carbon financing goals in 2025 results. The bank directed over 80% of its energy financing to low-carbon sources by the end of 2025, exceeding its target to facilitate €200 billion in low-carbon and transition financing from 2022 to 2025.