Worker alleges lack of fossil fuel-free 401(k) option violated his religious rights

A lawsuit tying a worker’s climate objections to his Christian beliefs could set a precedent in the post-Groff landscape, his attorneys argued.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 5, 2026

Netflix’s first chief sustainability officer steps down

Emma Stewart is departing the streaming giant to join Climate Spring, which focuses on changing how climate change is depicted on film, television and popular culture.

By Zoya Mirza • Aug. 3, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

The ESG landscape in the U.S. continues to shift, as federal agencies' efforts to recalibrate their approach to sustainability are juxtaposed with states forging ahead with their own climate disclosure laws.

By ESG Dive staff

TotalEnergies buys all of Shell’s European renewable energy assets

The French multinational energy company will separately sell a 50% stake in a 1.2 GW renewables portfolio, valued at €1.8 billion ($2.07 billion), to investment firm KKR.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 3, 2026

Paper producer Domtar agrees to pay $1.5M to settle clean air violations

The company will also undertake approximately $2.6 million worth of projects at its pulp and paper mill in Ashdown, Arkansas, to address emissions and to correct inadequate inspection and monitoring practices.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 3, 2026

Most US companies lack mature AI governance frameworks

Companies are spending on governance, but aren't fully prepared as agentic AI spreads, a Schellman report found.

By Paige Gross • July 31, 2026

Sustainability teams narrowing focus, prioritizing compliance in 2026: report

Compliance and reporting requirements have emerged as a top driver for corporate sustainability teams as ESG enters a phase of “fewer, clearer priorities,” according to a new survey from GlobeScan and BSR.

By Lauren Schenkman • July 31, 2026

Pulling back from DEI increases legal risk — and costs organizations qualified women

Gender equity researcher Amy Diehl offers eight pillars for HR to keep in mind regarding diversity and inclusion at work.

By Amy Diehl • July 30, 2026

Ceres adds NYC comptroller, former EPA administrator to board

Mark Levine and Gina McCarthy — who led the Biden administration’s climate policy office — were among five additions made to the sustainability nonprofit’s board of directors.

By Lamar Johnson • July 29, 2026

AI governance growing in importance for investors: Diligent Market Intelligence

“Governance around AI is probably going to be the most important thing in investor relations over the next two years,” Diligent’s editor-in-chief told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • July 28, 2026

CSO numbers dip as regulatory, geopolitical volatility ramps up: report

The total number of chief sustainability officers at U.S. publicly traded companies declined by 10% in 2026, but new research from the Weinreb Group says the dip is “a single data point, not a trend.”

By Lauren Schenkman • July 28, 2026

Most corporate boards lack rules for AI use: Deloitte survey

AI "use for board-level purposes seems to be comparatively new, uneven and still maturing,” Deloitte said.

By Jim Tyson • July 28, 2026

Google, Ford, others launch skilled trades workforce initiative

The tech and auto companies joined BlackRock and workwear apparel brand Carhartt to form the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades.

By Lamar Johnson • July 27, 2026

Mondelēz shows uneven gains on 2025 sustainable sourcing goals

The Oreo and Ritz maker reported 100% certified sourcing for palm oil and cocoa.

By Antone Gonsalves • July 27, 2026

Black-owned banks Optus, Mechanics & Farmers to merge

The roughly $105 million deal, set to close in the fourth quarter, will create a $1.3 billion-asset entity, the largest Black-owned bank in the country, the institutions said Wednesday.

By Dan Ennis • July 24, 2026

Tracking New York’s climate ambition and corporate disclosure laws

The Empire State has had to dial back its climate ambition and revise targets in the wake of COVID-19, the Trump administration’s opposition to renewable energy and the ongoing affordability crisis.

By Zoya Mirza • July 23, 2026

Investor coalition urges SEC to ‘largely retain’ shareholder proposal rule

The Securities and Exchange Commission has indicated plans to alter Rule 14a-8, which governs the shareholder proposal process, with Chair Paul Atkins hinting at wholesale changes.

By Lamar Johnson • July 23, 2026

92% of CFOs, top finance staff feel pressure to show ROI from AI: survey

Half of survey respondents said their AI agents have yielded only limited measurable ROI, according to Avalara.

By Jim Tyson • July 23, 2026

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

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