The developers of the popular card game Marvel Snap, Second Dinner, have announced a significant shift in their publishing partnership. Following a recent temporary service disruption linked to the TikTok ban in the United States, they have opted to collaborate with Skystone Games, a U.S.-based company. This strategic move aims to prevent any recurrence of the operational issues that affected players earlier this month.
To ensure smoother operations and enhance player experience, Second Dinner has transitioned from its previous publisher, Nuverse—a subsidiary of ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. According to their statement, Nuverse fully supported the transition without any hindrance. Going forward, Skystone Games will handle the publishing responsibilities alongside an internal team at Second Dinner. “We’ve already initiated the process to bring nearly all operational and publishing tasks in-house, with assistance from our new U.S.-based partner,” said the development team.
In addition to addressing the publishing concerns, Second Dinner worked diligently to restore all services related to Marvel Snap, which had been disrupted due to the incident. By January 29, 2025, the game was once again fully functional across all platforms and regions. Demonstrating their commitment to their community, the company also introduced compensation packages for players impacted by the outage. Players with varying Collection Levels received different rewards, ensuring that everyone who experienced downtime was appropriately acknowledged and appreciated.
This transition not only highlights the resilience and adaptability of Second Dinner but also underscores their dedication to maintaining a robust and enjoyable gaming environment. By aligning with a U.S.-based publisher and bringing more operations in-house, the company is taking proactive steps to safeguard the future of Marvel Snap, reinforcing trust among its global player base.
The landscape of public export finance has undergone significant transformation over the past decade. While renewable energy commitments have surged, fossil fuel support remains substantial, with notable variations across countries and technologies. This study delves into the financing patterns of export credit agencies (ECAs) from 31 OECD and non-OECD nations between 2013 and 2023, revealing critical trends and implications for global climate goals. The research underscores the pivotal role of ECAs in shaping the energy transition and highlights the need for policy adjustments to align with international climate commitments.
Evolving Financing Patterns: A Decade in Review
Between 2013 and 2023, ECAs demonstrated a marked shift towards renewable energy projects, particularly wind and solar power. Initially, fossil fuels dominated ECA commitments, but the share of renewables increased significantly, especially after key policy milestones such as the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Statement. By 2023, renewable energy commitments surpassed those for fossil fuels for the first time, signaling a turning point in public export finance. This trend was driven by European ECAs, particularly members of the E3F climate club, who prioritized greener investments.
However, the transition has not been uniform. Non-E3F countries, including major players like China, continued to support fossil fuel projects, reflecting divergent national priorities. The pandemic also influenced these trends, leading to a temporary decline in fossil fuel financing while renewable energy commitments remained stable. This resilience underscores the growing importance of renewables in the global energy mix. Additionally, the deal sizes for renewable projects were generally smaller compared to fossil fuel ventures, indicating a shift towards more diversified and less capital-intensive investments.
Geographic and Policy Implications of Portfolio 'Greening'
The shift towards renewable energy has had profound geographic implications. High-income countries, especially within Europe, have become the primary beneficiaries of ECA support for renewables. In contrast, lower-income nations, which often require more concessional financing, have seen a relative decrease in ECA-backed projects. This disparity raises concerns about equitable access to clean energy finance, particularly for emerging economies that are crucial for achieving global climate targets.
Policymakers must address this imbalance by expanding ECA mandates to explicitly support the energy transition in lower-income countries. Furthermore, the ongoing negotiations at the OECD highlight the need for coordinated international efforts to restrict fossil fuel financing and promote sustainable development. The E3F coalition's leadership in this area offers valuable lessons on how policy alignment can drive positive changes in export finance practices. However, challenges remain, especially in balancing economic interests with environmental goals, particularly for countries dependent on fossil fuel exports.
The annual shortfall of around $700 billion in nature financing is a significant barrier to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. While government initiatives are crucial, private sector involvement is indispensable in mobilizing the necessary funds. This article outlines a strategic roadmap for businesses to develop and implement a nature finance action plan, focusing on biodiversity credits but applicable to various nature financing mechanisms like ecosystem services payments, green bonds, or nature-linked loans. The approach emphasizes iterative development of a nature strategy and finance action plan, ensuring alignment with global biodiversity frameworks.
Building a Corporate Vision for Nature Conservation
Establishing a robust corporate ambition to support nature conservation is essential. This involves aligning with global biodiversity goals, such as those outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Various frameworks exist to guide this process, including the widely adopted ACT-D framework (assess, commit, transform, disclose). Integrating these principles into a company’s core mission ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing environmental challenges.
A well-crafted nature strategy not only sets clear objectives but also operationalizes them through a detailed finance action plan. This plan identifies actions that provide both financial and ecological benefits, prioritizing avoidance, reduction, and restoration over offsetting impacts. By specifying an implementation timeline and preparing for transparency, companies can effectively communicate their commitment to nature-positive practices. Selecting appropriate metrics to measure outcomes is another critical step, ensuring that efforts are measurable and impactful. Once actions and metrics are defined, businesses can proceed with procurement and communication strategies.
Implementing the Nature Finance Action Plan
The execution phase of the nature finance action plan involves several key steps. First, businesses must identify and prioritize actions that offer dual benefits—financial viability and positive environmental impact. This requires a thorough assessment of potential projects, emphasizing proactive measures over reactive ones. Next, selecting suitable metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of these actions ensures accountability and transparency.
Procuring biodiversity credits or other financial instruments with integrity is vital. Establishing procurement guidelines that consider risks, budget constraints, timelines, and other factors helps identify the most appropriate credits. Finally, managing communication and claims transparently is crucial. Companies must ensure that their messaging accurately reflects the use and impact of purchased credits. By following these steps, businesses can make substantial progress toward achieving their nature-positive goals while contributing to closing the nature financing gap. This approach not only supports environmental sustainability but also enhances corporate reputation and economic resilience.