This week’s reading time: 7 minutes

Welcome to another edition of The Green Executive Briefing. In under 10 minutes, you’ll be fully updated on the latest happenings in Sustainability and ESG every Tuesday at 8am EST. 🌎

We sift through a vast array of articles and data from trusted sources, distill the information, and present it to you in simple, bite-sized pieces every week. 🌍

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In this edition, we'll cover:

• Tariffs Test Clean Tech Supply Chains: Trump’s sweeping 2025 tariff package roils critical mineral supplies, forcing a rethink of global clean tech sourcing

• Clean Power’s 40% Milestone: New data from Ember shows over 40% of global electricity now comes from clean sources, marking a historic turning point

• Global Shipping’s Carbon Price: A UN maritime deal puts the first international carbon levy on shipping, with big implications for trade and logistics

• Beyond ESG Compliance: A CISL report Competing in the Age of Disruption urges companies to treat sustainability as core strategy, not just a checkbox

• Record Heat Signals Risk: Europe just had its warmest March on record, underscoring intensifying physical climate risks that demand strategic adaptation

More Readings

1. https://the-green-executive-briefing.beehiiv.com/p/five-fields-to-launch-your-sustainability-career

2. https://the-green-executive-briefing.beehiiv.com/p/navigating-the-sustainability-revolution-how-post-scarcity-economics-will-transform-business

3. https://the-green-executive-briefing.beehiiv.com/p/policy-shifts-legal-battles-market-impacts

🌟 Spotlight: Dylan Brown

Dylan Brown is an expert in GHG Accounting, Sustainability Strategy, and Environmental Permitting. The coolest thing about him? He’s a big Philadelphia Eagles fan.

“I’m an Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) professional with a strong focus on ESG and sustainability. I ensure risk mitigation strategies align with operational safety and regulatory compliance.”

Follow Dylan on LinkedIn here.

Want to get featured in the spotlight? Reply to this email: [email protected]

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Intro

🌍 TOP STORIES THIS MONTH

Trump Tariffs Send Shockwaves Through Clean Tech Supply Chains

President Trump's administration has implemented sweeping new tariffs that are dramatically reshaping clean tech supply chains. The 20% tariff on all Chinese imports, plus 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and imports from Mexico and Canada represent a significant shift in trade policy. China's retaliatory export restrictions on rare earth elements—critical for wind turbines and EV batteries—compound the challenge.

What This Means for You:

• Supply Risk: With China controlling 60% of global critical mineral production and 85% of processing capacity, expect higher costs and potential shortages for renewable projects and EV rollouts.

• Strategic Opportunity: This disruption is accelerating domestic production initiatives, with the U.S. invoking the Defense Production Act to jumpstart local mining.

Action Point: Conduct a vulnerability audit of your supply chains. Identify single-source dependencies and develop contingency plans including alternative suppliers, stockpiling essentials, and investing in recycling/substitution programs.

Main

Clean Electricity Hits Historic 40% Milestone

According to Ember's Global Electricity Review 2025, over 40% of the world's electricity in 2024 came from low-carbon sources—the highest share since at least the 1940s. Solar capacity has doubled in just three years, now meeting almost 7% of global demand, while wind contributes about 8% and hydropower 14%.

The Full Picture:

• Clean generation is consistently growing faster than overall electricity demand—a crucial trend for squeezing out fossil fuels.

• However, 2024 also saw a 4% jump in power demand driven by heatwaves, AI, data centers, EVs, and heat pumps.

• This surge led to a 1.6% rise in power-sector emissions to a record high, despite clean energy growth.

Strategic Takeaway: The data suggests fossil fuel use in the power sector may have peaked or will soon. Double down on renewable deployment and energy efficiency while preparing grid infrastructure for increased electrification demands.

Main

Global Shipping Sets Course for Carbon Pricing

In a watershed moment, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on a framework to price carbon emissions from global shipping—the first binding international emissions levy for a single industry.

Key Framework Details:

• Starting in 2027/2028, ships must meet new emissions-intensity benchmarks.

• Vessels exceeding thresholds face penalties (proposed around $380 per ton of CO₂).

• Ships staying under stricter targets can earn tradable credits.

• An estimated $40 billion fund by 2030 would support clean shipping innovation.

Mixed Reception: The U.S. (under Trump) walked out of talks, threatening "reciprocal measures." Major exporters like China, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia resisted stronger carbon levies, while island nations argue the deal isn't aggressive enough.

Business Impact: Companies with heavy reliance on maritime trade should prepare for freight cost increases. First movers optimizing shipping routes and piloting low-carbon fuels will gain competitive advantages and marketing opportunities.

Main

🔍 DEEPER ANALYSIS

Beyond ESG Compliance: Competing in the Age of Disruption

A new Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) report warns that mere ESG compliance is no longer sufficient in our volatile world. Companies must integrate sustainability into core strategy to remain competitive amid geopolitical upheaval and economic transition.

Six Strategic Priorities for Leaders:

1. Shift mindset from incrementalism to transformative innovation

2. Escape the "ESG trap" of defensive box-ticking actions

3. Embed foresight and board-level ownership of climate strategies

4. Innovate products and business models to create value from disruptions

5. Shape the rules through active policy advocacy

6. Build coalitions to drive industry-wide change

Stakes Are High: Businesses face twin existential threats—economic instability if the sustainability transition fails, and competitive disadvantage if it succeeds faster than laggards can adapt.

Main

Europe's Warmest March Signals Accelerating Climate Change

March 2025 was Europe's hottest on record, 2.4°C above the 30-year average. Globally, it was the second-warmest March ever recorded, with temperatures approximately 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels.

Alarming Trends:

• 20 of the last 21 months have exceeded the 1.5°C global warming threshold on a monthly average basis

• Europe experienced wildly contrasting precipitation extremes—record drought in some regions alongside torrential rains in others

• Arctic sea ice hit its lowest March extent on record

Risk Management Implications: These physical climate risks require immediate attention. Prepare for operational disruptions from extreme weather, rising insurance premiums, and credit downgrades for unprepared firms. Invest in water efficiency, facility reinforcement, cooling systems, and updated disaster response plans.

Main

💡 ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS

Three Strategic Moves for Sustainability Leaders

1. Bolster Supply Chain Resilience

   • Identify critical dependencies in your material sourcing

   • Develop relationships with suppliers in diverse regions

   • Invest in circular economy initiatives to reduce import reliance

2. Integrate Climate Scenarios into Core Strategy

   • Run "future drills" with leadership: What if carbon costs add 5% to logistics? What if record heat hits your key market?

   • Use scenario planning to inform investments in decarbonization and adaptation

   • Update risk management frameworks to include both transition and physical climate risks

3. Lead the Narrative, Don't Just Comply

   • Elevate sustainability from compliance to competitive advantage

   • Engage in policy dialogues to help shape the rules of the low-carbon economy

   • Build coalitions within your industry to drive systemic change

WRAPPING UP

🔮 CLOSING THOUGHT

Every disruption—whether a policy shock or a climate record shattered—is also an invitation to innovate and lead. As we navigate this turbulent transition, the most successful organizations will be those that turn volatility into vision and ambition into action.

P.S. When you’re ready, here’s how I can help you:

1. Download our Dashboard GHG Accounting Scope 1, 2 & 3. Customize it with your organization's numbers to build a compelling business case.

2. Refer 2 other sustainability leader (see “Click to Share” button below)

3. Book a Consultation: Click HERE

   1. GHG Accounting Strategies (Scope 1, 2 & 3) 

   2. ISO 14001 Compliance (Environmental Management)