CEO pay climbed nearly 6% in 2024

“CEOs are not paid extraordinary amounts because of any special skills or greater productivity, but because they have extraordinary leverage over corporate boards that set their pay,” the Economic Policy Institute said.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 30, 2025

Renewable energy sector’s human rights practices have ‘critical gaps,’ says BHRRC

The sector has fallen short on addressing issues related to responsible mineral sourcing, Indigenous People’s rights and other social issues, according to the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 30, 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

Lawmakers urge PJM to take steps so clean energy projects can meet tax credit deadlines

“Either we have a resource adequacy issue or we don't — and I believe we do — so we need to be getting all of this energy online as quickly as possible,” Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian said.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 30, 2025

‘Regional fragmentation’ confuses sustainability requirements, experts say

“I've never seen the pendulum swing so far and so fast as I have in the last year,” Boston Consulting Group Director Tim Mohin said at an event aligned with Climate Week NYC.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 29, 2025

Regulatory uncertainty slowing US electric vehicle adoption: report

While domestic EV purchases will grow, the elimination of incentives could deter buyers, per EY Mobility Lens Forecaster.

By Eric Walz • Sept. 29, 2025

California names companies expected to report emissions, climate risks

State regulators released a preliminary list of entities that may have to report under SB 253 and SB 261. Companies that have already completed TCFD reports could have a leg up.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 29, 2025

Amazon inks new partnership to tackle growing water footprint of AI infrastructure

The new Water-AI Nexus Center of Excellence aims to “address the complex relationship between digital infrastructure and water sustainability.”

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 26, 2025

Philadelphia sues CPG companies over plastic bag recyclability claims

City leaders said many of the confusion and contamination issues with SC Johnson and Bimbo Bakeries’ Ziploc and plastic bread bags are what motivated the city to previously ban single-use retail bags.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2025

Heat pump, solar and storage deployment could offset AI load through 2029: report

Subsidies of 50% for heat pumps and 30% for solar and storage would free up well over 100 GW of grid capacity at a cost comparable to new gas generation, Rewiring America said last week.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 25, 2025

One-third of corporate spending aligns with sustainability: Risilience

Fifty-two percent of large companies have created plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and 30% are drawing up such roadmaps, Risilience found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 25, 2025

Climate Week NYC 2025 commences with slate of disaster response, green infrastructure deals

The annual climate event launched with commitments to scale low-carbon cement, boost circularity and supply chain decarbonization and support healthcare workers responding to disasters.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Sept. 24, 2025

3 charts that show what has happened to DEI roles — and DEI pros

DEI roles have declined, but they haven’t disappeared.

By Kate Tornone • Sept. 24, 2025

Amazon pledged to deliver affordable housing in Puget Sound, Washington. It just hit 10,000 units.

The milestone resulted from the company’s $900 million investment in housing that will remain affordable for 99 years.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 23, 2025

Utilities are backtracking on climate commitments: Sierra Club

The report named six utility companies reversing course on emissions reductions: Entergy, Duke Energy, Evergy, Cleco, American Electric Power and Arizona Public Service.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2025

Manufacturers scrutinize supply chains for California scope 3 emissions disclosures

While federal regulations may be on hold, California is moving ahead with greenhouse gas reporting requirements. Manufacturers, including packaging companies, are digging deep into their data to get ready.

By Mary Catherine O’Connor • Sept. 22, 2025

Evolution of sustainable investing: Real versus alternative facts in finance

A former Impax Asset Management executive reflects on the politicization surrounding sustainable investment approaches and the financial costs of overlooking environmental and social risks.

By Julie Gorte • Sept. 22, 2025

Schneider Electric inks carbon removal deal with Climeworks

Climeworks signed its largest portfolio agreement to date, which will deliver the energy company 31,000 tons of carbon removal credits by 2039.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 19, 2025

Congressional Dems press DOL on women leaving the workforce

Democratic Women’s Caucus members said they were “deeply concerned,” and that “economic indicators suggest that this exodus of women from the labor force is not entirely voluntary.”

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 19, 2025

Ikea, Vanguard Renewables team up to turn food waste into renewable energy

The six-month pilot has launched in five Ikea locations across the U.S. and the global furniture retailer has plans to expand the program in a bid to achieve zero organic food waste by 2030.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 19, 2025

How facilities can boost ESG-friendly furniture decommission gains 91%

EPA’s waste reduction model understates emissions reductions from furniture reuse. To show a more meaningful value, facility managers should request lifecycle assessments from suppliers.

By Dale Ewing • Sept. 18, 2025

Texas attorney general probes ISS, Glass Lewis over ESG, DEI

Ken Paxton’s probe follows a recent injunction on a Texas anti-ESG law targeting proxy advisory firms, but Texas is not the only state looking at the two firms’ ESG and DEI policies.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Sept. 19, 2025

Wells Fargo execs settle suit over diverse hiring practices

The bank and shareholders expect to file a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement by Oct. 13, according to court documents.

By Caitlin Mullen • Sept. 18, 2025

Court approves $43M settlement in Disney gender pay discrimination case

Disney agreed to have an outside labor economist conduct a pay equity analysis of certain positions for the next three years.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 17, 2025

Mars leans on clean energy contracts to accelerate transition across supply chain

The confectionery company is teaming up with Enel on a trio of renewable purchase agreements estimated to annually generate 1.8 terawatt hours of clean energy.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 16, 2025

McDonald’s launches $200M grassland conservation initiative

The sustainability project doubles as a long-term investment in U.S. beef supply chains, as tariffs on major beef producers loom.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2025