BlackRock’s GIP, Microsoft-backed AI group buy Aligned Data Centers for $40B

The deal represents the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership’s first investment, as it joins Global Infrastructure Partners and UAE tech investment firm MGX in acquiring the data center developer.

By Lamar Johnson • July 22, 2026

Delta, Shell expand SAF partnership with new five-year deal

The agreement will expand sustainable aviation fuel capacity and infrastructure at five international airport hubs. 

By Lamar Johnson • July 21, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Citizens Bank to exit agreements with ICE contractors

Citizens called the end of its relationships with CoreCivic and GEO “a business decision” that “does not reflect any change in our view regarding these companies' business models or operations.”

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • July 21, 2026

Citi commits $25M to drive innovation in housing access, affordability

The funding will be provided through the Citi Impact Fund which backs startups that aim to advance social equity and assist economically vulnerable communities while generating financial returns.

By Zoya Mirza • July 20, 2026

Amazon’s 2025 emissions jump as AI brings ‘momentum and complexity’: report

The tech and e-commerce company’s absolute carbon emissions increased 16% in 2025 from the previous year, as it reported adding more data center capacity than any other company globally.

By Lamar Johnson • July 20, 2026

Meta’s AI-based layoffs allegedly targeted workers who had taken protected leave

The company used “a constellation of internal artificial-intelligence systems” to determine who would be included in its 10% reduction in force, per a lawsuit.

By Ginger Christ • July 20, 2026

Pennsylvania data centers face increased oversight under new law

Data centers will now have to provide annual energy usage reports to the state, and the PJM Interconnection will need to give state regulators additional insight into its demand forecasting.

By Diana DiGangi • July 17, 2026

Disclosing corporate sustainability progress in a divided regulatory landscape

As companies continue to grapple with what they are required to disclose, those who establish stakeholder-relevant reporting practices will be best prepared for what comes next, according to Smurfit Westrock’s sustainability head.

By Garrett Quinn • July 17, 2026

Gap taps Levi’s CSO to lead sustainability strategy

Jeffrey Hogue has stepped away from his role as Levi’s chief sustainability officer to steer Gap’s ESG strategy and initiatives, which includes a 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

By Zoya Mirza • July 16, 2026

Best Buy brings rooftop solar to retail

The new solar sites include the retailer’s first store with a rooftop “community solar garden” as it looks to a 2040 net-zero target.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated July 17, 2026

California blocked from enforcing upcoming law on recycling labels

Ahead of an October start date, a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction. The Flexible Packaging Association and American Forest & Paper Association reacted to the news.

By Maria Rachal • July 16, 2026

Exclusive: Corporate social responsibility teams facing increased pressure, burnout in 2026

Professionals in charge of executing companies' social strategy are increasingly being asked to make the business case for their work and measure impacts, according to a new survey from the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals.

By Lauren Schenkman • July 15, 2026

New York sues chemical titans over alleged PFAS exposure

The state accused 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Corteva and Corteva subsidiary EIDP, of deliberately manufacturing, marketing and selling consumer products laced with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

By Sara Samora • July 15, 2026

Shell sells India-based renewables business for $1.8B

The energy giant will sell its stake in Sprng Energy to Aditya Birla Renewables, which counts the BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners as a minority owner.

By Lamar Johnson • July 14, 2026

PepsiCo improves sustainable sourcing, delays emissions reporting

The company reported a four percentage point increase in sustainably sourced ingredients in 2025 but will release Scope 3 emissions metrics later this summer.

By Phil Neuffer • Updated July 14, 2026

Microsoft’s data center expansion drove 25% emissions spike in 2025: report

The tech giant also saw its scope 2 emissions rise sharply, after it sunsetted its use of unbundled renewable energy certificates last year.

By Lamar Johnson • July 13, 2026

EU Commission adopts revised sustainability reporting standards

The changes are expected to remove over 70% of data points from the European Sustainability Reporting Standards and cut compliance costs by 30% per company.

By Lamar Johnson • July 10, 2026

3M elevates company veteran to chief sustainability officer

Amanda Yates, who has been with the company for more than 13 years, will step in as CSO starting this month. She most recently served as 3M’s senior director of global sustainability.

By Zoya Mirza • July 8, 2026

EV transition challenges auto supply chain resilience, Moody’s says

Legacy automakers have the added complexity of having to run different supply chains, for ICE, hybrid and EV powertrains.

By Paul Myles • July 7, 2026

Walmart signs nuclear PPA with Constellation to support Illinois operations

The companies said the deal marks Walmart’s first nuclear power purchase agreement and is “among the first of its kind between a large retailer and a nuclear energy facility in the United States.”

By Lamar Johnson • July 7, 2026

Analysts expect rising PPA prices as clean energy tax credits phase out

“That missing money has to come from somewhere to make the project pencil, and that will likely be through PPA prices,” said Josh Price, director of intelligence and research at Crux.

By Diana DiGangi • July 7, 2026

Graphic Packaging releases sustainability report as CSO departs

Michelle Fitzpatrick was GPI’s inaugural chief sustainability officer and exits after nearly five years in the role. Meanwhile, the company’s sustainability report showed small regressions on emissions and product recyclability efforts.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 6, 2026

ISS, Glass Lewis score wins against Kansas, Indiana anti-ESG laws

Federal judges issued preliminary injunctions to stop the implementation of laws targeting the proxy advisers in the two states.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated July 1, 2026

CEOs, CIOs clash over AI’s value

C-suite executives see the technology from different vantage points, but maturity and alignment of objectives could bring them closer together, a Protiviti survey found.

By Paige Gross • July 1, 2026

Zillow faces class-action lawsuit over Redfin deal

An investor filed a class-action lawsuit in June, claiming he was misled about the nature of the apartment listing giants’ partnership. Zillow has also been sued by the FTC and several states over the deal.

By Julie Strupp • June 30, 2026