Semiconductor industry faces water, sustainability challenges

The boom in chip manufacturing has also increased demand for ultrapure water. Fabrication plant operators are investing in ways to mitigate water usage, but are still reclaiming a small percentage of it in their operations.

By Michelle No • Aug. 5, 2025

State finance officials press US asset managers to denounce ESG, climate

A coalition of 26 Republican state finance officials sent letters to executives at 25 firms, pushing them to denounce climate and net-zero commitments.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 4, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

The landscape for ESG continues to shift, as U.S. exits from major climate agreements and organizations are juxtaposed with states forging ahead with their own climate disclosure laws.

By ESG Dive staff

Advances in ‘green steel’ production could stall under the Trump administration

Federal efforts to lower emissions in steel manufacturing — the world’s largest industrial carbon emitter — are now in question, prompting steel giant Cleveland-Cliffs to drop a furnace project.

By Austyn Gaffney • Aug. 4, 2025

Barclays exits Net-Zero Banking Alliance, follows HSBC

The British bank has become the latest to depart NZBA, trailing behind HSBC and other major financial institutions who have also left the group.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Aug. 4, 2025

Fortune 500 companies didn’t live up to DEI pledges, law firm says

Despite Big Tech’s DEI commitments, women of color comprise only 4% of leadership at companies like Apple and Google, according to Shegerian Conniff.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 1, 2025

Trump approves emissions exemptions for some chemical, taconite iron ore facilities

Dow, BASF, U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs are some of the companies that received two-year delays from complying with the Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollutants regulations.

By Sara Samora • July 31, 2025

1 in 5 companies say they’ve slashed DEI since Trump’s election

Half of the companies that have eliminated DEI say morale is down, and 1 in 5 say they’ve seen an increase in reports of discrimination and bias.

By Ginger Christ • July 30, 2025

CleanCapital acquires 64-project solar portfolio from Greenbacker

The deal for 51.2 megawatts of operational solar systems will expand CleanCapital’s portfolio to include more than 350 solar and energy storage projects.

By Lamar Johnson • July 30, 2025

ISS, Glass Lewis sue Texas AG over state’s newest anti-ESG law

The nation’s top two proxy advisory firms are seeking a preliminary injunction to stop a Texas law targeting such firms from taking effect in September.

By Lamar Johnson • July 29, 2025

Renewable energy projects facing increased litigation: BHRRC

The “growing wave” of lawsuits raises alarms that ignoring human rights could slow down the energy transition, according to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. 

By Lauren Schenkman • July 28, 2025

Voluntary sustainable packaging goals are on the way out, Gartner says

Companies are aligning their sustainability strategies with emerging legislation, such as EPR laws, according to the consulting firm. Adapting now can have cost advantages down the line.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2025

Paramount promises to abstain from DEI programs to secure Skydance merger

The FCC hinging its approval of the merger on Paramount decommitting from DEI is the latest example of public-sector agendas affecting private-sector talent strategy.

By Caroline Colvin • July 28, 2025

Trump’s SEC distances itself from Biden-era ESG, climate rulemaking

The Securities and Exchange Commission has looked to withdraw proposed ESG regulations introduced during the previous administration or stop defending them in court.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Updated Nov. 17, 2025

Data centers seek flexible power solutions for resilience, sustainability

Flexible battery or generator solutions can help data centers power up faster, reduce grid impacts and keep their owners’ sustainability goals within reach, experts say.

By Brian Martucci • July 25, 2025

SEC declines to confirm whether climate disclosure rule will be upheld if it survives litigation

The agency told an appeals court it “does not intend to review or reconsider” the rule but did not confirm whether it would enforce it if legal challenges against the rule fail.

By Zoya Mirza • July 25, 2025

Meta leans on $900M Enbridge solar investment to power Texas data centers

The tech and social media conglomerate will purchase 100% of the power generated by the 600 megawatt Texas solar plant owned by the Canada-based energy developer.

By Lamar Johnson • July 24, 2025

Trump’s big bill is ‘tough but constructive’ for renewables: NextEra

Analysts on the call were skeptical of NextEra’s claims that the company could avoid losing tax credits for its projects.

By Emma Penrod • July 24, 2025

OBBB signing creates ‘compelling event’ for corporate solar initiatives: Redaptive CEO

Companies should move forward with solar plans now or it will "be very hard for them to commence implementation in time” for the law's altered tax credits, Arvin Vohra said.

By Lamar Johnson • July 23, 2025

DOL rescinds Biden-era letter on Citi racial equity proposal

The program, which Citi said was never implemented, was slated to provide “diverse managers” with a competitive advantage, an agency official wrote.

By Emilie Shumway • July 23, 2025

Trump wants to use AI to prevent wildfires. Utilities are trying. Will it work?

The president wants to remake wildfire policy with an increased emphasis on technology and a new, consolidated federal wildland fire service. Experts have mixed reactions.

By Emma Penrod • July 23, 2025

SBTi unveils final net-zero standard for financial institutions

The Science Based Targets initiative’s FINZ framework is the first to guide the sector through the net-zero journey, including setting both near- and long-term portfolio targets.

By Lamar Johnson • July 22, 2025

Berlin Packaging details progress toward SBTi-validated targets

The global packaging supplier cited innovation in biomaterials and refill systems among the efforts driving growth and sustainability.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 22, 2025

Circularity in fashion is ‘mainstream’ but progress slowing: report

The 2025 Circular Fashion Index from Kearney found that a lack of a clear business case for circularity is holding up efforts.

By Laurel Deppen • July 22, 2025

Mastercard reports declining emissions and rising revenue for second straight year

The global payments company also surpassed and remains “on track” to hit interim 2025 emissions reductions targets.

By Lamar Johnson • July 21, 2025

How Microsoft is leaning on carbon removal solutions to cut its climate footprint

The tech giant has invested in a plethora of CDR solutions to date to cut its emissions and meet net-zero goals, ranging from biochar to marine carbon dioxide removal deals.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Updated Jan. 15, 2026