HSBC, one of the world's largest banks and a founding member of the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), became the first UK lender to withdraw from the coalition committed to aligning the sector's activities with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This decision follows a wave of exits by major US and Canadian banks and has sparked concern among climate activists and investors over the bank's long-term commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
The NZBA was launched in 2021 under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative. It sought to create a transparent global framework for banks to set targets and report progress towards net zero emissions. The alliance quickly grew to over 144 banks across 44 countries, including HSBC as a high-profile founding member.
Jul 19, 2025
New Lichen Species Allographa Effusosoredica in the Western Ghats
A team of Indian scientists uncovered a previously unknown species of lichen, Allographa effusosoredica, from the richly biodiverse Western Ghats, carrying within it a tale of symbiosis, evolution and resilience.
The discovery of Allographa effusosoredica by scientists from MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, marks the first Indian Allographa species supported by molecular data.
Jul 18, 2025
Gujarat's Banni Grasslands Ready to Host Cheetahs
The Banni Grasslands in Gujarat, the largest such expanse in the Indian subcontinent and one of the 10 sites selected for cheetah rehabilitation in the country, is now fully prepared to host the big cats, as per officials.
Jul 16, 2025
Iceland Volcano Erupts for 12th Time Since 2021
The Sundhnukur volcano erupted near Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, the 12th volcanic eruption in the North Atlantic island nation since 2021, the Icelandic Meteorological Office says.
Often referred to as a land of ice and fire, the North Atlantic island nation with its many glaciers and volcanoes has now seen a dozen eruptions since geological systems on its Reykjanes peninsula reactivated in 2021.
Jul 10, 2025
Namibia Joins Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance
Namibia joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure was established in 2019 under the leadership of the Government of India and with the support of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
It is a multi-stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academic institutions.
It aims to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was launched by PM Modi along with the leaders of the US, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Singapore, Bangladesh, Mauritius and the UAE on September 9, 2023, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
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