MESSAGES FROM US

Dear Readers,

In this issue, alongside Deutsche Bank’s “ESG and Sustainability Market Monitor” report, we touch on the effects of climate change on seasons and provide insights on how these changes impact companies’ strategies. At the same time, we briefly explain the increasingly discussed concept of “heat stress.”

With our newsletter, we invite you to walk together towards a more sustainable future.

Stay sustainable…

ÖZGÜN ÇINAR, CEO

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ESG NEWS

  • According to a new survey published by EcoVadis, the majority of large companies in the US are continuing/increasing their investments in ESG initiatives. While executives view sustainability as a growth and competitive advantage, they are making fewer public statements about these issues due to increasing political and regulatory pressures. DETAIL
  • The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has officially launched its Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard, marking a major milestone in sustainable finance. For the first time, banks, asset managers, private equity firms, and insurers can set science-based targets aligned with net-zero across their financial portfolios. DETAIL
  • Premier Li Qiang launched a “megadam” project on Tibet’s Yarlung Tsangpo River that’s expected to be the world’s largest hydroelectric facility. The SCMP reports the dam could generate 300 terawatt-hours of electricity — three times more than the Three Gorges Dam and about equal to the UK’s total output. DETAIL
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  • According to the IEA, renewable energy will surpass coal as the world’s leading electricity source “by 2026 at the latest.” DETAIL
  • Italy has approved a plan to transform a 430-hectare field near Rome into a solar farm that could power the Vatican entirely—making it the world’s first carbon-neutral state. DETAIL
  • Forest fires across Europe have intensified due to heatwaves and drought. As of July 29, 292,855 hectares have burned—more than double last year’s figure. Carbon emissions in some regions are the highest since 2002. DETAIL
  • EFRAG has published revised drafts of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for companies covered by the CSRD. The new drafts significantly ease the reporting burden by reducing data points by 68% while removing voluntary disclosures entirely. DETAIL
  • Flash floods triggered by heavy rains in India and Pakistan have killed 176 people and left dozens missing. About 1,600 people were rescued from the mountainous areas. DETAIL
  • Beyşehir, Turkey’s largest freshwater lake, has receded up to 300 meters from the shore due to climate change and unconscious irrigation. While fishing and tourism activities have come to a standstill, cattle are now grazing on the lake bed. DETAIL
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🍃 GREEN COLUMN🍃

THE RHYTHM OF SEASONS IS CHANGING WITH THE CLIMATE

Imagine that spring arrives earlier than it used to. Tree branches start turning green even before the end of March, and flowers bloom ahead of schedule. While this may sound pleasant at first glance, a silent danger lies behind nature’s hurried awakening. When spring comes early, the summer that follows tends to be drier, and autumn lasts longer. The impacts of climate change are not limited to rising temperatures or drought; they are fundamentally transforming one of nature’s oldest cycles— the seasons.

Recent studies have shown that the growing season for plants has, on average, extended by about a month. This is due to spring arriving earlier and autumn ending later. This shift is particularly pronounced in the Northern Hemisphere. The extended growing period makes plants more vulnerable to spring frosts, summer droughts, and diseases. Moreover, insects and migratory birds that depend on nature’s cycles are negatively affected by this shift. When flowers bloom early, the bees searching for pollen may not yet be around. By the time the bees arrive, many flowers have already withered. The situation is similar for migratory birds: after traveling thousands of kilometers, they may not find the expected food sources. A single misstep in nature’s harmonious dance affects the entire orchestra.

This fragility manifests differently across regions. For example, shallow-rooted grasslands are highly vulnerable to summer droughts because they sprout early and lose water quickly. Combined with the increase in tree deaths in recent years, this creates a concerning picture for the future of ecosystems.

All these observations indicate that the future of seasons is uncertain. Species migrating to cooler areas, changes in agricultural practices, and the reshaping of vegetation appear to be inevitable parts of the future. However, one thing is clear amid this uncertainty: we are shaping the rhythm of nature. Measures taken, reductions in carbon emissions, and the implementation of environmentally conscious policies will be decisive for the fate of the seasons. Nature has maintained its rhythm for millions of years. Now, we are the strongest factor altering its pace. The actions we take today will determine not only the climate but also whether we can preserve the melody of the seasons. This reality affects not only ecology but also the economy. Changes in the seasons directly impact many sectors, from agriculture to energy, and from tourism to food supply chains. Therefore, companies reporting under TSRS and whose operations are affected by seasonality must consider this in their forward-looking scenario analyses. Otherwise, they risk jeopardizing not only climate resilience but also their financial sustainability.

DAMLA GÜNALP, SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST

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