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The tourism sector has a central role in the movement to put a price on nature, but commodification has its drawbacks
The post How tourism is shaping the debate over natural capital appeared first on Corporate Knights.
The deaths in quick succession of three rugby players in Malaysia have put renewed focus on the risks of competing in extreme heat and humidity, as climate change pushes temperatures higher across Southeast Asia.
Invenergy LLC is accelerating its acquisitions of US geothermal leases just as the Trump administration canceled four of the company’s offshore wind leases worth $765 million.
As AI’s power demand surges, carbon prices rise and a startup launches a new geothermal plant design.
The Trump administration is canceling four offshore wind leases held by power developer Invenergy LLC that total $765 million, the latest move by the White House to block new offshore wind development.
Virginia’s democratic governor is driving the state’s return to the market in a partisan flip on climate policy.
Botswana is set to begin construction of its first large-scale solar plant after developers secured $100 million in financing, as investors bet that rising electricity demand across southern Africa will create a lucrative market for surplus power.
The collective, known as Frontier, pools money to buy carbon removal from startups developing durable climate solutions.
The green economy — the business lines of global listed companies that generate revenue from climate solutions — now boasts a record high market value of $10 trillion.
China has reached the point where its climate goals now depend on cutting carbon emissions in some of its dirtiest industries.
Sudden shifts from wet to dry weather, or vice versa, may foil typical drought- and flood-prevention measuresRising temperatures may trigger a dangerous increase in “hydroclimatic whiplash” in rivers that would make traditional approaches to flood and drought planning insufficient, a study has found.As temperatures rise owing to the worsening climate crisis, rivers will experience increasingly rapid transitions between heavy downpours and long dry spells – called hydroclimatic whiplash events – because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, intensifying rainfall extremes. Continue reading...
Many small-scale landowners now include conservation measures alongside everyday farming. But progress is precarious, and the threat of guerrilla violence and poverty remain whichever candidate winsLike most people settling in the area, Pablo Peña was seeking to escape violence and make a living from a patch of land when he moved to Guaviare in central Colombia. While his life has been strongly marked by conflict and deforestation, more than 30 years on he now focuses on community work and conservation.Peña first visited Guaviare during his mandatory military service. Years later, in 1994, he settled down to farm in Guaviare’s Calamar, a town in a remote corner of the Amazon. Continue reading...
Nearly every indicator of climate change is flashing red. But we still hold the tools available to bring the planet back into balanceThe ocean is running a fever. In 2025, the number of days of marine heatwaves – prolonged spells when the sea turns abnormally, dangerously warm – was more than triple what it was in the early 1990s.These are not abstract statistics. A severe and persistent marine heatwave bleaches coral reefs, strips away the kelp forests that shelter young fish, empties fishing grounds and – if occurring frequently – can tip whole ecosystems past the point of recovery.Karina Von Schuckmann is an IGCC author and senior adviser of Mercator Ocean International Continue reading...
It’s the third such deal the Interior Department has struck to pay firms to abandon plans for offshore turbines, spending roughly $2.5 billion to get companies to abandon their wind projects.
Continued Collaboration via The Chikuho Bank's "Chikugin Regional Support Private Placement Bonds" Drives Financial Stability and Direct Social Reinvestment
TOKYO, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFS) (the "Company" or "Leifras"), a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement and Japan's leading operator of children's sports schools and school club activity outsourcing support, today announced the issuance of JPY200 million, 5-year unsecured Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) private placement bonds on January 30, 2026, underwritten by The Chikuho Bank, Ltd. ("Chikuho Bank"). The Company plans to donate part of the total issuance value to Taiyo to Kodomo Project (Sun and Children Project), an organization that supports youth facing abuse and severe socioeconomic hardships. A ceremony was held at Chikuho Bank, Chikugin Fukuoka Building 3F, Fukuoka, Japan, on June 5, 2026.
The issuance marks a continuation of support originally initiated in 2022. By securing this large-scale, long-term unsecured bond financing, Leifras believes it has demonstrated the strength of its business foundation while reinforcing its commitment to creating social value and addressing social challenges through sustainable community investment.
Key Highlights of the Issuance and Social Initiative
1. Unsecured Bond Structure Reflects Institutional Confidence and Financial Stability
To issue unsecured private placement bonds, the issuer typically needs to pass rigorous financial screening by the underwriting bank. The successful placement of a JPY200 million, 5-year unsecured instrument demonstrates the strength of the Company's recurring revenue streams from its multi-sport school and school club activity support operations. The Company expects this strong institutional backing to further drive its mid-to-long-term corporate value.
2. Sustainable Financial Ecosystem Benefiting the Local Community
Under the framework of the "Chikugin Regional Support Private Placement Bonds," an amount equivalent to 0.2% of the total issuance value is donated directly to educational institutions or welfare support organizations. Through this mechanism, Leifras aligns its strategic capital procurement with corporate social responsibility actions that empower the next generation.
3. Supporting Long-Term Self-Reliance for Children Facing Adversity
The donation recipient, Taiyo to Kodomo Project, creates empowering environments where children facing systemic adversity can experience sports and the arts. Beyond short-term volunteer programs, the organization provides practical, forward-looking education, such as computer programming, that fosters specialized vocational skills designed to support long-term economic self-reliance and break the cycle of generational poverty. As an organization built on cultivating non-cognitive skills through sports, Leifras is deeply aligned with this philosophy of fostering self-reliance.
Management Commentary
Mr. Kiyotaka Ito, Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer of Leifras, commented, "While we have historically supported youth development through sports, we recognize that many children in our society still lack basic access to sports, arts, and educational opportunities. As we scale our business operations, we view the creation of social value alongside business value as a core responsibility. We sincerely hope that this continued support expands the future potential and possibilities of these courageous children."
Future Outlook
Leifras plans to continue deepening its partnerships with local governments and financial institutions across Japan under its corporate philosophy, "To Change and Design Sports." Backed by a stable financial framework, the Company remains dedicated to corporate social responsibility, creating long-term value for stakeholders while addressing important social challenges and contributing to sustainable development.
About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Leifras is a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement. The Company primarily provides services related to the organization and operations of sports schools and sports events for children. As of December 31, 2025, Leifras was recognized as one of Japan's largest operators of children's sports schools in terms of both membership and facilities by Tokyo Shoko Research. The Company's approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills, following the teaching principle "acknowledge, praise, encourage, and motivate." The holistic approach that integrates physical and mental development sets Leifras apart in the industry. Building upon deep experience and know-how in sports education, Leifras also operates a robust social business sector, dispatching sports coaches to meet various community needs with the aim to promote physical health, social inclusion, and community well-being across different demographics.
For more information, please visit the Company's website: https://ir.leifras.co.jp/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as "approximates," "believes," "hopes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "would," "should," "could," "may," or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the registration statement and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
For more information, please contact:
LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Department
Email: IR@leifras.co.jp
Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com
SHANGHAI, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FinVolution Group ("FinVolution," or the "Company") (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech platform operating across China and overseas markets, today announced the release of its 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, the Company's eighth consecutive annual ESG report.
The report provides a comprehensive review of FinVolution's ESG initiatives and achievements in 2025, highlighting continued progress in responsible governance, inclusive finance, employee development, and social impact.
Aligned with its core philosophy of "Technology, Kindness and Green Principles," FinVolution has further embedded ESG considerations throughout its global operations and continued to earn recognition in international capital markets. The Company was honored in the Extel 2026 Asia (Ex-Japan/ANZ) Executive Team Awards and the FinanceAsia 2025 Awards.
Mr. Tiezheng Li, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FinVolution, commented, "In 2025, amid a shifting global economy, we made steady progress on our sustainable development journey. With finance as a bridge, technology as a driver, and community engagement as a foundation, we advanced meaningfully across our ESG priorities. These efforts reflect our firm belief that business value and social value can reinforce one another. Looking ahead, we will continue to uphold our mission with pragmatic action, create lasting value for all stakeholders, and contribute to a more sustainable future."
Key highlights of FinVolution's 2025 ESG report include the Company's efforts in:
- Governance, risk management, and business ethics;
- Fintech innovation, data security, and privacy protection;
- Inclusive finance and consumer protection;
- Overseas market expansion;
- Employee care and diversity;
- Social responsibility, community engagement, and industry collaboration;
- Climate action and green transformation.
These disclosures detail the Company's strategy for responsible and sustainable growth and innovation. The ESG report has been prepared in compliance with the Global Reporting Initiative's Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) and with reference to MSCI ESG Rating Methodology. For more information regarding GRI Standards and MSCI ESG Rating Methodology, please visit:
https://www.globalreporting.org
https://www.msci.com
To download FinVolution's ESG reports, please visit:
https://ir.finvgroup.com/ESG-Sustainability
About FinVolution Group
FinVolution Group is a fintech platform operating across China and overseas markets, connecting borrowers of the young generation with financial institutions. Established in 2007, the Company operates in China's online consumer finance industry and has developed technologies and experience in the core areas of credit risk assessment, fraud detection, big data and artificial intelligence. The Company's platforms feature a highly automated loan transaction process. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had 246.5 million cumulative registered users across China and overseas markets.
For more information, please visit http://ir.finvgroup.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the Company's ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors on its marketplace, its ability to increase the volume of loans facilitated through the Company's marketplace, its ability to introduce new loan products and platform enhancements, its ability to compete effectively, laws, regulations and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry in China, general economic conditions in China, and the Company's ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain the listing of its ADSs on the NYSE, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and FinVolution does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
FinVolution Group
Head of Capital Markets
Yam Cheng
Tel: +86 (21) 8030-3200 Ext. 8601
E-mail: ir@xinye.com
Piacente Financial Communications
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: finv@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: finv@tpg-ir.com
On the east coast of Indonesia’s Lombok Island, local people who rely on the local crab fishery have initiated their own mangrove planting program in a bid to resuscitate failing crab habitats.
Trust and influence may have already shifted to social media, where fossil fuel interests are backing creators. Climate organisations must catch up.
The new centre will focus on toxic industrial waste, resource recovery and transforming Semakau Landfill into a circular economy hub.
As the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global oil and gas flows, countries are increasingly focusing on short-term energy priorities to the detriment of long-term decarbonisation goals. In such a context, the difficult task of designing climate policies that realign incentives takes on new importance.
Health authorities in Thailand have found arsenic in two people living near the Kok River. Heavy metals have also been found in the water and fish of Kok and other rivers.
Trump administration dismantling of sensor system worth US$368 million is latest blow to information gathering vital to protecting the marine environment and global climate.
