Companies face fragmented climate risk disclosure landscape in 2026

After the U.S. and European Union signaled an end to a growing regulatory consensus in 2025, businesses are bracing for a more complex environment this year.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 29, 2026

GHG Protocol proposal risks slowing clean energy expansion

Proposed changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol would make it more difficult for companies to report renewables use and could discourage procurement, according Lesley Hunter and Jeffrey Gorham of the American Council on Renewable Energy.

By Lesley Hunter and Jeffrey Gorham • Jan. 28, 2026

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The evolution of the voluntary carbon credit market

Companies are increasingly relying on carbon credits to cut their emissions and meet climate goals, despite a dynamic regulatory environment and increased ESG scrutiny.

By ESG Dive staff

Vycarb inks new deals to scale in 2026: Exclusive

The ocean-based carbon removal startup has expanded its partnerships and funding and is eyeing a path to commercial applications.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 28, 2026

TotalEnergies inks 10-year renewable energy deal with papermaker SWM

The contract is designed to use the oil major’s integrated power portfolio to help SWM reach its emissions reduction goals.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 27, 2026

Target, Best Buy CEOs sign letter calling for ‘deescalation of tensions’ in Minnesota

Michael Fiddelke joined about 60 other CEOs, including Best Buy's Corie Barry, in signing a letter about "recent challenges" in the state.

By Dani James • Jan. 27, 2026

Companies with validated science-based climate targets hit 10,000: SBTi

The Science Based Target initiative said validated companies represent over 40% of global market capitalization and include major names like Danone, McLaren Racing and Lenovo.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 23, 2026

US solar manufacturing momentum affected by shifting tax credits

The U.S. can now produce every major component of the solar and storage supply chain, with multiple facilities opening in recent years. Yet conflicting political priorities and federal policies are creating headwinds for the sector.

By Michelle No • Updated Jan. 26, 2026

Most companies are staying the course on ESG — just talking about it less

While companies have increasingly downplayed or avoided announcing their sustainability efforts, experts say they “remain on the same trajectory.”

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 22, 2026

1 year into Trump 2.0, HR professionals are ‘caught in the middle’ of the DEI debate

As the White House and EEOC solidify their anti-DEI stances, here are a few things HR can keep in mind.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 22, 2026

PepsiCo CEO says sustainability debate needs a ‘reframe’ at Davos

Corporate strategy debates shouldn’t pit sustainability against profitability, but see it as a short-term versus long-term risk issue, Ramon Laguarta said during a World Economic Forum event.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 21, 2026

Google sees CO2 batteries as large-scale way to store renewable energy

The batteries would do the work of lithium-ion batteries but on a much bigger scale to give its largest data centers backup power, the company says.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 21, 2026

Google inks PPAs to power data centers with carbon-free energy

The power purchase agreements with Clearway Energy Group will provide power to Google’s data centers across three power markets.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Jan. 23, 2026

Gender pay gap in healthcare still exists, analysis shows

Despite being overrepresented in the field, women in healthcare are still paid less than their male peers, according to Premier Law Group data analysis.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 20, 2026

CleanCapital nabs $300M in debt financing for portfolio growth

French infrastructure investor Infranity will provide the financing, which CleanCapital CEO Thomas Byrne said will allow the company to build out its portfolio through 2028-29.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 16, 2026

Microsoft signs record soil carbon removal deal to cut emissions

The agreement with Indigo Ag will remove 2.85 million metric tons of carbon dioxide for the tech giant, which is the largest soil carbon removal by tonnage to date, the agricultural tech company said.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 15, 2026

AI, tech expand career options for women in supply chain

Emerging technologies require new processes and operating models, creating a “huge opportunity” for women in the sector, says Berenice Vettore, global chief quality officer at The Estée Lauder Cos.

By Kelly Stroh • Jan. 15, 2026

eBay unveils climate transition plan to reach 2045 net-zero target

The transition plan comes almost a year after the e-commerce giant had its net-zero and emissions reduction goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 14, 2026

Bain signs first direct air capture carbon removal deal with 1PointFive

The consulting firm purchased 9,000 metric tons of carbon removal credits, to be delivered over a three-year period, in a bid to meet its sustainability goals.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 13, 2026

GM expects a total charge of $7.1B in Q4 as it shifts from EVs

The automaker cited slowing demand and the termination of consumer tax incentives for its North America strategy realignment.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 13, 2026

SEC director backs investment advisers using AI for proxy voting

The agency’s Investment Management Division Director Brian Daly called a scenario where agentic artificial intelligence is utilized to give proxy voting advice “a near-term reality.”

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 12, 2026

Abandoning packaging sustainability a ‘serious strategic miscalculation’: Bain

Companies are still pursuing sustainable packaging strategies even though they’ve toned down public messaging about it, according to a newly released report from Bain & Co.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 12, 2026

Meta inks trio of nuclear deals to support AI ambitions

The tech giant announced deals with nuclear power providers TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra that are expected to yield 6.6 gigawatts of capacity by 2035.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 9, 2026

4 trends that will shape ESG in 2026

After an eventful 2025, the next year holds further regulatory changes and a growing disclosure landscape, as companies quiet on sustainability talks.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Jan. 8, 2026

JPMorgan eschews proxy advisers for internal AI tool

After CEO Jamie Dimon railed against the advisers for years, the bank’s asset management unit cut firms like ISS and Glass Lewis out of U.S. voting decisions.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 7, 2026

Honda buying LG Energy Solution’s stake in Ohio EV battery plant building for $2.85B

The transaction includes the building and infrastructure assets related to the battery joint venture, but excludes the land and equipment.

By Eric Walz • Jan. 7, 2026