This Week's Top Stories: Schneider, Duke & Colgate-Palmolive

Inside Schneider Electric’s US$3.1bn Acquisition of Cognite

Schneider Electric has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Cognite for US$3.1bn.

The deal supports Schneider's operations in energy management and automation, focusing on enabling buildings, data centres, infrastructure and grids to operate as interconnected systems.

Schneider operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, with a global team of 160,000 employees.

Foxconn & Brookfield's 1GW Deal for Vietnam Renewable Energy

Hon Hai Technology Group, known internationally as Foxconn, and Brookfield have announced a partnership to develop up to 1GW of utility-scale renewable energy capacity in Vietnam. The project will combine wind, solar and large-scale batteries.

The arrangement takes the form of long-term power purchase agreements. The deal could mean a shift in corporate-led energy procurement across the region.

Manufacturing stands among the world's largest sources of carbon emissions. According to the World Economic Forum, the industry produces around 20% of all carbon emissions. 

The UN revealed last year that more than 50% of the world's manufacturing takes place in Asia. Vietnam has emerged as a growing power in that market, and companies are beginning to address the carbon footprint of Vietnamese manufacturing.

What Are Colgate-Palmolive’s Sustainability Plans For 2030?

Colgate-Palmolive has published its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Report, which concludes its 2020-2025 strategy and looks ahead to 2030.

Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, says: “In 2020, we set out an ambitious and comprehensive Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy focused on priority actions and targets to accomplish by the end of 2025.

“We are proud of what we have achieved, but we know there is more work to do."

Trump's US$129m Deal Scrapping Duke Energy's US Wind Projects

Duke Energy, one of the United States’ leading energy providers, has agreed to abandon its plans for an offshore wind farm off North Carolina following talks with the Trump administration.

The company will receive a US$129m settlement from the White House, with the funds set to be redirected into nuclear power, natural gas and grid modernisation projects.

The cancellation of Duke’s offshore wind lease marks another blow in US President Donald Trump’s broader push against wind energy, which has already prompted TotalEnergies to withdraw plans for two offshore projects along the Eastern Seaboard.

Hyundai Motor Accelerates its Global Sustainability Strategy

As part of its long-term corporate strategy, Hyundai Motor Company is embedding ESG frameworks across its value chain and operations.

The car manufacturer highlights significant progress throughout its manufacturing and sales operations during 2026, aligning its business practices with tighter international regulations and environmental standards. 

The ongoing shift to electrified transport has cast a spotlight on the sustainability credentials of major car manufacturers.