Conferences ESG and sustainability professionals should attend in 2026

After 2025’s regulatory turbulence, sustainability and ESG professionals will convene throughout 2026 to learn how to navigate the changing political and policy landscape.

Climate risk ‘cannot be about politics,’ say sustainable investors seeking bipartisan collaboration

Environmental nonprofit Ceres explored areas of common ground on climate risk and opportunity during New York City’s annual climate event.

California Gov. Newsom signs EO targeting economic impact of climate change

The executive order seeks to expedite the state’s response to climate-driven disasters and mitigate their economic impact, especially on the insurance market and the energy utility sector.

Sustainable, healthy design choices should be visible: JLL

Occupants value tangible initiatives, so facility managers should consider features that building occupants can interact with, survey responses show.  

EPA sued for terminating $7B Solar for All program

“Instead of distributing the Solar for All funds as Congress directed, Defendants hastily and unlawfully terminated” the program, the plaintiffs allege.

Why brands should stand firm on their social, sustainability values despite fear of backlash

Executives discussed the importance of brand values in growing loyalty and the future of inclusive strategies during Advertising Week New York.

NZBA votes to cease all operations, abandon membership model

The Net Zero Banking Alliance becomes the second United Nations climate-aligned industry group to suspend operations in 2025.

States brace for fallout as DOE terminates $7.6B in clean energy project funding

Cuts to 223 projects across 16 states will mean job losses, higher energy costs and weaker grid reliability, experts and state agencies warn.

Government shutdown could delay clean energy guidance, permitting: Crux

With both political parties at an impasse, “it is difficult to forecast how long this [shutdown] will last,” the sustainable finance company said. Permits or grants could be delayed, Crux added.

Sustainability still the path forward, says GKN

Despite a pullback on electrification in the U.S. auto industry, and a possible pullback in Europe, the supplier says embracing sustainability still makes sense.

Companies still acting on climate change, but ‘afraid to talk about it’ publicly: experts

Ceres CEO Mindy Lubber said companies are still making progress on sustainability goals, but “don’t want a target on [their] back,” given the current political environment.

DEI in 2025: HR Certification Institute head on how to proceed

Even if company stakeholders are challenging the “DEI” acronym, employers can keep the spirit of equity and inclusion alive by focusing on “fairness” and “opportunity,” Amy Dufrane said.

Renewable energy sector’s human rights practices have ‘critical gaps,’ says BHRRC

The sector has fallen short on addressing issues related to responsible mineral sourcing, Indigenous People’s rights and other social issues, according to the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

Facilities managers discover how the ‘circular economy’ offers them money-saving opportunities

‘Cooling-as-a-service’ and ‘workplace-as-a-service’ are among the models building operators are using to let their organizations hold onto their capital while polishing their sustainability credentials, specialists said at IFMA World Workplace 2025.

World’s carbon-neutral aspirations may hinge on appliance efficiency: CLASP

“There is such a huge disconnect between what our research shows is needed ... and what the U.S. government is saying would be good for the world,” said Ari Reeves, CLASP senior director of research.

Climate Week NYC 2025 commences with slate of disaster response, green infrastructure deals

The annual climate event launched with commitments to scale low-carbon cement, boost circularity and supply chain decarbonization and support healthcare workers responding to disasters.

California’s landfill methane rule proposal tightens gas rules

The proposed rule would tighten restrictions for landfill gas collection and control systems and expand the role of remote monitoring programs.

Amazon debuts $5 per week health plan

Employers have faced steep healthcare cost increases in recent years, leading to benefits shifts to accommodate the higher expense.

‘Regional fragmentation’ confuses sustainability requirements, experts say

“I've never seen the pendulum swing so far and so fast as I have in the last year,” Boston Consulting Group Director Tim Mohin said at an event aligned with Climate Week NYC.

Lawmakers urge PJM to take steps so clean energy projects can meet tax credit deadlines

“Either we have a resource adequacy issue or we don't — and I believe we do — so we need to be getting all of this energy online as quickly as possible,” Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian said.

California names companies expected to report emissions, climate risks

State regulators released a preliminary list of entities that may have to report under SB 253 and SB 261. Companies that have already completed TCFD reports could have a leg up.

CEO pay climbed nearly 6% in 2024

“CEOs are not paid extraordinary amounts because of any special skills or greater productivity, but because they have extraordinary leverage over corporate boards that set their pay,” the Economic Policy Institute said.

Amazon inks new partnership to tackle growing water footprint of AI infrastructure

The new Water-AI Nexus Center of Excellence aims to “address the complex relationship between digital infrastructure and water sustainability.”

Regulatory uncertainty slowing US electric vehicle adoption: report

While domestic EV purchases will grow, the elimination of incentives could deter buyers, per EY Mobility Lens Forecaster.

Energy-related US CO2 emissions down 20% since 2005: EIA

The Energy Information Administration expects the trend to reverse with a 1% increase in U.S. emissions this year due to electricity generation growth and increased fossil fuel consumption.