PepsiCo, UEFA & H&M: This Week in Sustainability

PepsiCo Q&A: Partnerships for Water Positivity

Throughout its corporate strategy, PepsiCo is working to embed water stewardship initiatives.

It has recently achieved its target to replenish 100% of the water used at all of its company-owned facilities located in high-risk watersheds.

As SVP Social Impact at PepsiCo and President of the PepsiCo Foundation, Monica Bauer leads global efforts to strengthen communities through expanding access to food, safe water, farming and economic opportunity.

She also works on aligning the PepsiCo Foundation's philanthropic work with PepsiCo's broader business strategy.

Monica shares her insights with Sustainability Magazine.

UEFA, Lidl & PreZero: Sustainability Initiatives in Football

UEFA has announced that the companies of Schwarz Group will become its first strategic corporate partner.

It has signed a long-term agreement with Lidl and PreZero, which aims to promote innovation, sustainability and social responsibility in European football.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, Executive Director of Marketing at UEFA, says: “We are delighted to welcome the companies of Schwarz Group as our first strategic corporate partner.

“Together, we are combining our strengths to shape the future of European football in a sustainable, responsible and competitive way."

How Are Tensions in Iran Causing a Rise in UK Solar Demand?

The consequences of conflict extend well beyond the immediate war zones where battles are fought.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the resulting disruption to global energy supply chains triggered a cost of living crisis that continues to affect households worldwide.

Now, history could be repeating itself.

Following joint US and Israel airstrikes on Iran in late February, approximately one-fifth of global gas and oil supplies have been taken out of circulation.

Financial markets have responded swiftly, with fuel prices surging sharply.

The domestic impact is already becoming apparent, as consumers worldwide prepare for significant increases in heating, electricity and petrol costs.

For British households still recovering from the 2022 energy price shock, the timing presents particular challenges.

What Are H&M Group’s SBTN-Verified Land Impact Targets?

In 2025, global fashion retailer H&M Group achieved sustainability milestones including a 41% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.

This follows its climate plan, which focuses on improving energy efficiency, sourcing renewable energy and optimising its logistics.

H&M Group has established science-based targets for its impact on land, which have been verified by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN).

ING: Sustainable Finance to Reach US$1.62tn in 2026

The sustainable finance sector could be approaching a significant turning point, according to ING's latest market analysis. Issue nine of the bank's Sustainable Finance Pulse suggests the market is demonstrating economic resilience despite facing geopolitical uncertainty and global policy constraints that continue to shape investment decisions.

While economic headwinds persist, including trade disruptions stemming from Middle Eastern conflicts, ING's research indicates the sustainable finance market is positioned to resume growth in 2026. This follows a brief contraction in 2025 attributed to market volatility. According to ING, global markets closed 2025 with sustainable issuance totalling US$1.56tn, with projections suggesting this figure could reach US$1.62tn throughout 2026.

Sustainable finance has become increasingly central to global and regional economic frameworks, with ESG metrics serving as key indicators for assessing long-term investment viability. The market's influence extends across multiple sectors, driving infrastructure development for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and enabling climate-resilient strategies within commercial real estate portfolios.