Mercedes settles emissions-cheating lawsuits for nearly $150M

The total value of the multi-state settlement could reach $347 million, according to one state attorney general.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 23, 2025

Ford cancels $6.5B battery supply contract with LG Energy Solution

Last week, the automaker also dissolved its BlueOval SK battery joint venture with SK On as it shifts away from EVs.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 23, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

This year has shaped up to be a formative one for ESG, from the U.S. pulling out of major climate agreements to federal agencies recalibrating their approach to sustainability under the new administration.

By ESG Dive staff

Trump administration halts all large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in US

The action affects five major offshore wind farms under development in federal waters, including the 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. The administration cited classified “national security risks” for the move.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 23, 2025

NYC pension delays vote to drop BlackRock, Fidelity

Outgoing Comptroller Brad Lander has urged the New York City Employees Retirement System’s trustees to replace BlackRock and Fidelity over climate policy deficiencies.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 22, 2025

Anti-DEI legal group asks EEOC to investigate Penguin Random House

While it is not clear that any previous appeal to EEOC has resulted in action from the agency, shifting priorities under the Trump administration may result in a different outcome.

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 22, 2025

Court agrees to rehear $14B climate funding freeze case

The nonprofit recipients of $14 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants frozen by the EPA are scheduled to have their case reheard by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in February. 

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 22, 2025

Whole Foods to launch in-store food waste infrastructure

The Amazon-owned specialty grocer will be the first to deploy Mill Industries’ automated, on-site food recycling technology.

By Peyton Bigora • Dec. 19, 2025

Ford scraps EV plans, shifts to stationary energy storage

The automaker will focus its North American EV development on a new family of smaller, highly efficient and less expensive models.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 18, 2025

EU Parliament approves pact to alter sustainability reporting laws

The bloc now awaits final approval from the European Council to substantially simplify the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 17, 2025

Despite political backtracking, net-zero commitments rise in 2025: Accenture

The number of the world’s largest companies setting net-zero targets has increased for the fourth year in a row.

By Lauren Schenkman • Dec. 17, 2025

JPMorgan conducted ‘fake’ interviews of Black candidates, lawsuit alleges

The bank’s treatment of the plaintiff is part of a decades-long “unbroken pattern of systemic race discrimination against African Americans,” per the lawsuit.

By Ginger Christ • Dec. 17, 2025

SBTi opens pilot for power sector net-zero standard

The Science Based Targets initiative is looking for companies in the energy industry to test the practicality and usefulness of the draft framework.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 16, 2025

Ford, EV battery manufacturer dissolve joint venture

The automaker’s planned investment in the joint venture announced in 2021 was the largest-ever manufacturing commitment in company history, Ford said at the time.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 16, 2025

Trump issues EO targeting proxy advisers, including ISS, Glass Lewis

The order is directed at the SEC, FTC and DOL with the aim of stymieing the reach of the two proxy advisers, particularly on ESG and DEI-related issues.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 15, 2025

Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 15, 2025

Apple’s environmental, social chief to retire next month

Lisa Jackson, the tech company’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, will depart in late January 2026 without a direct replacement.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 11, 2025

New York targets power sector carbon allowances in proposed climate regulations

The amendments would reduce the annual budget of CO2 allowances through 2037, including the number of voluntary renewable energy purchases. 

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 11, 2025

CARB releases draft text for California’s climate disclosure regulations

The proposed text of the rules comes before the holiday season, and the agency expects a hearing on final adoption of SB 253 and 261 in late February.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 10, 2025

EU legislators reach agreement to simplify sustainability reporting

The revised agreement would remove around 90% of companies from the CSRD’s scope, and 70% of companies from the CSDDD’s remit.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 9, 2025

Amazon targets carbon emission cuts at grocery fulfillment centers

The e-commerce giant recorded a 15% reduction at three sites in a pilot deployment of Trane Technologies’ BrainBox AI tool, which will be deployed nationally.

By Philip Neuffer • Dec. 9, 2025

Stellantis CEO backs ‘achievable’ CO2 targets for EU vehicles

The carmaker's head, Antonio Filosa, is urging European regulators to follow the lead of the U.S. in reacting to consumer demand for “technological neutrality” of passenger vehicles.

By Paul Myles • Dec. 9, 2025

AT&T drops DEI, gets $1B acquisition of UScellular greenlit

The telecommunications company committed to scrapping policies and programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in a bid to get a deal approved by the FCC.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Dec. 9, 2025

New York requires emissions reporting from large emitters like waste, power

The rule would apply to waste facilities like landfills, incinerators and anaerobic digesters, as well as electricity generation facilities and fueling infrastructure. It comes as the federal government scales back its own reporting program.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 8, 2025

Green economy now worth over $5 trillion annually: report

The market has been the second-fastest growing sector in the past decade and is expected to reach $7 trillion annually by 2030, according to Boston Consulting Group and the World Economic Forum.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 5, 2025

Amazon taps clean energy, greentech investments to reduce carbon footprint

The e-commerce giant, which has a goal to reach net-zero status across its operations by 2040, has backed a number of sustainable initiatives this year.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Dec. 4, 2025