Planet Positive Pulse - June

London Climate Action Week: Let’s Grow the Ripple 🌍

It’s the start of London Climate Action Week — an exciting event, bursting with energy, optimism, and a brilliant mix of people all working to accelerate climate solutions. There are a whole host of events scheduled across the capital. If you're in town, check out the full programme here.

I'm planning to be at the London Climate Network event on Wednesday evening and the Ending the Era of Fossil Fuels talk on Thursday. If you happen to be there too, come say hello!

In the spirit of accelerating action, I’ve launched a 5-day Green-Your-Finances Challenge to coincide with this week — a quick, empowering way to start aligning your money with your values.

If you’d like to take part, please just hit reply to this email and I'll sign you up to the challenge.

Even better — as a little pre-challenge — please share this email to one person in your network who you know is passionate about the planet and would appreciate giving this a go. They can simply reply to the original email, to sign up too.

Let’s grow the ripple effect, one person at a time! 🌱

Here's you regular monthly dose of inspiring news, bold entrepreneurs, exciting events and sustainable investing updates — all to help keep the optimism about our future bright, and remind us that real progress is being made to restore our planet. Enjoy! 🌍✨

🌟 Positive Climate News

This month, we’re spotlighting bold moves and quiet revolutions — across faith, finance, factories, and fisheries. From the Vatican’s solar leap to new rules that finally hold Big Oil to account, here are four stories showing climate progress in motion.

☀️ Vatican City Goes 100% Solar

In a powerful symbol of environmental leadership, Vatican City has become the first independent nation-state to run entirely on solar energy. It becomes the 8th country in the world to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.

In 2015, Pope Francis shared a bold vision: that the Vatican would one day run entirely on green energy. He framed it as both a moral call and a model for others — a practical expression of his message in Laudato Si’, urging a shift toward a more sustainable future.

Fast forward to 2025, and that dream has taken a major step forward. A new agrivoltaic solar installation — built on Vatican-owned land at Santa Maria di Galeria, just outside Rome — has now been completed. The plant is designed to supply all the energy needs of Vatican City, including powering the Vatican Radio transmission centre already located on the site.

Installed in just six months by Italian energy company ACEA, the project combines photovoltaic infrastructure with agricultural land, showcasing a smart integration of renewable energy within an already developed landscape. As ACEA President Barbara Marinali put it: “This is an extraordinary example of how you can think, imagine, and build a system that integrates with an infrastructure that already exists.”

What makes it notable:
🔸 Located on a 1,000+ acre Vatican-owned site already housing Vatican Radio
🔸 Uses agrivoltaics — dual-use solar technology that coexists with crops or livestock
🔸 Supports Pope Francis’ long-standing goal of achieving climate neutrality
🔸 Reinforces the Vatican’s formal participation in the UN Climate Convention since 2022

From one of the world’s smallest states comes one of the boldest energy commitments — a reminder that climate leadership can start from any corner of the globe. 🌍

📖 Read more on CleanTechnica →

🛢️ Big Oil Faces a Reckoning in the UK

The UK government has just issued new guidance that could reshape the future of oil and gas in the North Sea: developers must now include full climate impact assessments — not just from extraction, but also from the eventual burning of fossil fuels (known as Scope 3 emissions).

This move follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling and applies directly to controversial fields like Rosebank and Jackdaw. It marks the first time UK regulators are requiring developers to disclose the real-world climate consequences of their projects.

What’s changed:
🔸 Environmental impact assessments must now include downstream (Scope 3) emissions
🔸 Developers must show how those emissions stack up against any economic benefits
🔸 No oil or gas can be extracted from paused projects without renewed approval

Why it matters:
For years, oil and gas firms only had to report emissions from their operations — not what happens when their product is burned. That omission is now over. As Energy Minister Michael Shanks put it, this is about ensuring a “managed, prosperous, and orderly transition” to a clean energy future.

Campaigners call it long overdue. “Oil companies will finally be forced to come clean about the harm they’re causing,” said Tessa Khan of Uplift. But whether projects like Rosebank are ultimately approved remains to be seen — with decisions expected later this year.

In the meantime, the brakes on new drilling are off, and developers can once again submit applications. Whether the government stands firm on climate science — or caves to fossil fuel lobbying — will be a defining test of the UK’s climate credibility.

🧱 LEGO’s Zero-Emission Factory Opens in Vietnam

LEGO has officially launched its first zero-emissions manufacturing site in Vietnam — powered entirely by an on-site solar farm producing 50,000 MWh of electricity annually.

It’s more than just clean power:
🔸 The factory is built to green certification standards
🔸 It features EV fleets, rainwater harvesting, and zero-landfill systems
🔸 LEGO is planting 50,000 trees in the region to boost biodiversity

Why it’s big: This site proves that large-scale manufacturing and sustainability can coexist—and even enhance local communities.

LEGO aims for carbon-neutral operations by 2032. This is a major step forward.

🌊 Europe’s €1 Billion Ocean Pact

In a landmark move, the European Commission has pledged €1 billion to launch the European Ocean Pact — a bold, first-of-its-kind framework to restore ocean health and build a more sustainable “blue economy” across the EU.

The pact lays out six major priorities, from reviving marine ecosystems to supporting coastal communities and tackling illegal fishing. It also sets the stage for stronger ocean diplomacy and a future Ocean Act by 2027, backed by a new high-level Ocean Board and a public dashboard for tracking progress.

What’s in the pact:
🔹 Restore 20% of Europe’s marine ecosystems by 2030
🔹 Halve plastic and nutrient pollution within five years
🔹 Boost sustainable innovation and maritime security
🔹 Partner with regions in the Mediterranean, West Africa & Pacific

EU President Ursula von der Leyen described the effort as both environmental and economic, saying:

“We will restore natural habitats and shelter our coasts more effectively from the impact of climate change.”

While environmental groups welcomed the ambition, some criticised the pact’s lack of legally binding targets, urging faster action and clearer accountability.

Still, this investment signals a major step toward safeguarding our oceans — home to 80% of life on Earth — and building coastal resilience in a climate-challenged future.

Want more uplifting and solutions-focused news? Then check out Climativity Fix The News, and follow Ecologi on social media.

🚀 Inspiring Climate Start-ups

In case you missed it, June 4th marked International Seaweed Day! 🪸 🌊 😎— while it may not have made headlines, there’s a rising tide of innovation under the ocean surface. Meet the new wave of UK start-ups that are reimagining our relationship with the ocean.

🍽️ Notpla: Packaging That Disappears

London-based Notpla is turning heads — and turning seaweed into zero-waste packaging. Their signature creation, the edible Ooho sachet, is already replacing plastic in places you'd never expect: from marathon water stations to takeaway sauces.

But Notpla isn’t stopping there. They’ve developed compostable takeaway boxes (now adopted by Just Eat), seaweed film for dry goods, and even biodegradable pipettes for beauty products. Since winning Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, they’ve been scaling fast — and helping big brands rethink the future of packaging. No microplastics. No greenwashing. Just clever, clean design inspired by nature.

🧪 Oceanium: The Seaweed Biorefinery

Up in Scotland, Oceanium is taking a high-tech approach to low-impact materials. Their seaweed biorefinery turns sustainably farmed kelp into everything from Omega-3 oils and protein powders to marine-safe, home-compostable films.

What’s especially exciting? They’re building direct relationships with seaweed farmers while supporting the regeneration of marine ecosystems. Backed by the WWF and the UK’s Seafood Innovation Fund, Oceanium is proving that climate-positive innovation can be local, circular, and sea-deep.

🤖 Seaweed Generation: Robots That Sink Carbon

Tackling the big problem of CO₂ removal? Enter Seaweed Generation — a start-up combining seaweed farming with robotics and deep-ocean carbon removal.

Their “AlgaRay” robot safely sinks fast-growing sargassum into the deep ocean, locking away carbon for centuries. It’s a game-changing, nature-based tech designed to scale — and it also helps manage harmful seaweed blooms in tropical waters. With scientific rigour and a commitment to transparency, Seaweed Generation is turning algae into a gigatonne-scale climate solution.

🌍Exciting Climate Events

Feeling energised by London Climate Action Week and keen to keep the momentum going? If you're looking to connect with others driving bold climate solutions, here are a few standout events across Europe later this year — perfect for networking, inspiration, and collaboration.

🏔️ Unplug VC 2025: Recharging Climate Innovation in the Dolomites

I stumbled across this event currently taking place in one of my favourite nature spots in Europe — the Dolomite mountains. It looks like a regular fixture, so one to keep in mind for next year!

A hand-picked group of climate innovators, investors, and founders will escape to the Lagorai mountains for the Future RETREAT, a three-day immersive experience hosted by Unplug VC.

But don’t call it a conference.

This is not about panels and PowerPoints — it’s about fireside connection, altitude-fuelled inspiration, and recharging your mind alongside 50 of the sharpest people in climate tech.

What It Involves:

✨ Curated Community – A private group of mission-aligned entrepreneurs and funders
🥾 3-Hour Alpine Hike – With licensed mountain guides and panoramic views from 2,480m
🔥 Unstructured Magic – Lakeside chats, bonfire debates, and spontaneous collaborations
🍝 Traditional Cuisine – Local food served in castles and mountain huts
🛶 Digital Detox – Ditch the screens. Reconnect with purpose.

💻 SOSV Climate Tech Summit 2025: Where Climate Meets Capital

Back for its fifth edition, the SOSV Climate Tech Summit returns November 3–7, 2025 — a free, virtual global event spotlighting the boldest ideas in climate innovation.

Hosted by leading venture firm SOSV, this high-energy summit brings together founders, scientists, and investors across the full climate startup ecosystem. From carbon removal to circular manufacturing and bio-based breakthroughs, the sessions offer a front-row seat to what’s coming next — and who’s building it.

What to Expect:

🧠 Fireside Chats & Panels – Pre-recorded but deeply curated, with live interaction during the event
🌱 Startup Stories – Meet the climate tech founders rewriting what’s possible
💸 Investor Insights – Hear directly from the VCs backing the next generation of sustainable unicorns
📈 Big Picture Thinking – From food systems to future fuels, the summit explores every facet of planet-positive tech

❄️ Slush 2025: The Startup Festival Where Ambition Meets Impact

Every November, over 13,000 bold thinkers descend on Helsinki for Slush — the world’s most electrifying start-up event. But Slush isn’t just a conference. It’s a curated collision of founders, funders, and future-builders, all united by one mission: to change the world through entrepreneurship.

Organised entirely by students and recent grads (with the help of 1,600 volunteers!), Slush is where next-gen climate and tech founders get their start — and their shot at scaling.

What to Expect:

⚡ On-Stage Fire – Big conversations on capital, technology, and tackling the world’s hardest problems
🌍 Impact Track – A dedicated platform for planet-positive ventures and VCs backing the transition
🚀 Human Accelerator – Programming designed to inspire the next wave of mission-driven founders
🤝 Real Connections – Matchmaking that turns ideas into teams, and teams into companies
🍝 Finnish Hospitality – Cold weather, warm hearts, and food that fuels you through pitch after pitch

Why Slush Is Special:

Founded in 2008 as a 250-person gathering, Slush is now the beating heart of the European start-up ecosystem. It’s not-for-profit, mission-led, and wholly committed to the idea that entrepreneurship is the fastest path to systemic change.

Its impact echoes far beyond Helsinki. Through Slush Online and Slush’D local events, it supports ecosystem builders around the world — and keeps pushing the global start-up conversation forward.

Sustainable Investing News

💼 ESG Comeback: The Backlash to the Backlash

The sustainable investing landscape is shifting once again — and this time, it’s pointing forward.

After months of political pushback and media noise around so-called “woke capitalism,” Fidelity International is reporting a growing “backlash to the backlash.” Across Europe and Asia, investors are doubling down on ESG strategies, driven by both regulatory clarity and rising demand from clients who care about where their money goes.

Despite the headlines, ESG fund flows remain strong — and the motivation is increasingly pragmatic. Investors now see ESG not just as an ethical extra, but as a core part of risk management and long-term value creation. Companies leading on climate, governance, and social responsibility are being recognised as more resilient, future-fit, and financially sound.

The takeaway?
Sustainability isn’t going away. It’s becoming baked into the system — a structural pillar of how modern finance operates.

As Fidelity puts it: ESG is no longer just a values-based choice. It’s a performance-driven one.

📖 Read the full story

💸 Sustainable Bonds Hold Steady at $1 Trillion — But Momentum Needs a Push

Despite market turbulence and shifting politics, sustainable bonds are projected to hit $1 trillion in global issuance for the fifth year in a row, according to a new Moody’s Ratings forecast.

That figure is a powerful signal of resilience — but also a warning: while the broader bond market has surged, sustainable debt’s share of total issuance has slipped, from 15% to 11%. The message? Demand remains, but urgency and innovation are needed to keep pace.

What’s Driving the Market?

🌱 Green Bonds Lead the Way – Expected to top $620B in 2025, buoyed by clean energy investments and climate policy support
🌍 Nature and Adaptation Rise – Growing interest in biodiversity, resilience, and nature-based solutions
📉 North America Lags – U.S. issuance down nearly 30% since 2021, as other regions power ahead
🔌 New Frontiers – Demand is surging for green finance in sectors like nuclear, energy-efficient data centres, and sustainable infrastructure

Other Key Insights

🔹 Sustainability-linked bonds expected to rebound 14% (to $35B), though investor scrutiny is rising
🔹 Social bonds forecast to dip by 9%, largely due to fewer benchmark-scale projects
🔹 Transition bonds hold steady at $20B, driven largely by Japan
🔹 Sustainability bonds (blending green + social) remain stable at $175B

What It Means

Sustainable finance is no longer niche — it’s a core pillar of capital markets. But challenges loom: greenwashing concerns, shifting standards, and political friction all threaten momentum.

The opportunity? To evolve. To reimagine green finance not just as a climate tool, but as a lever for systemic change — investing in nature, resilience, and inclusive prosperity.

The trillion-dollar question isn’t just how much — but what kind of future we’re funding. 🌍

Disclaimer:
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Please be aware that an investment strategy that is appropriate for one person, may not be appropriate to another, including yourself. Past performance is not indicative of future results. In tailoring your own personal investment strategy it is recommended to speak to a qualified professional.

Copyright Planet Positive Planning Limited. Contact me by email at neil@planetpositiveplanning.com. Planet Positive Planning Limited is a service sector trading company, providing "educational financial services" and regulated by the Competition and Markets Authority and Registered in England and Wales number 15759784. As defined by PERG8.26 of the FCA Handbook, these services do not require FCA regulation. Registered office address 2 Joshua Pedley Mews, London, E3 2ZE, United Kingdom. Information Commissioner's Office reference number C1531204.