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

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

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 this year to cut its emissions and meet net-zero goals, ranging from biochar to marine carbon dioxide removal deals.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • July 21, 2025

Utilities may speed renewable projects under new tax credit timeline: Jefferies

Utilities “with renewables-heavy plans” may accelerate wind and solar projects by several years in order to qualify for the new one-year safe harbor period, according to Jefferies.

By Diana DiGangi • July 21, 2025

How retail energy suppliers can navigate the new federal energy policies

Key strategies include buying renewable energy certificates now, leveraging data and predictive analytics and growing market share.

By Nainish Gupta • July 18, 2025

Schneider Electric launches platform to boost supply chain decarbonization

The new Zeigo Hub will allow companies to engage suppliers of all sizes, track and manage emissions and help accelerate progress toward their net-zero goals.

By Zoya Mirza • July 17, 2025

BlackRock integrates RepRisk’s ESG data into portfolio management software

The deal will give global asset managers and owners access to RepRisk’s data on material ESG risks to companies through the Aladdin platform and expand BlackRock’s company coverage.

By Lamar Johnson • July 17, 2025

DEI trainings remain under the microscope as companies respond to scrutiny

Joint guidance from federal agencies has changed the DEI landscape, according to a management-side attorney.

By Caroline Colvin • July 17, 2025

US companies quietly maintaining, boosting sustainability investments in 2025: report

EcoVadis found companies are less likely to publicize their sustainability efforts this year, but have largely maintained or increased their ESG investments amid shifts and backlash.

By Lamar Johnson • July 16, 2025

How to protect employees from heat and other climate extremes

Basics like shade, water and rest can help, but HR should involve workers in the planning process, sources told HR Dive.

By Ryan Golden • July 15, 2025

The often-overlooked shelter from the storm: green buildings

In the 2008-09 economic downturn, green buildings were a bright spot. They could be again as remote work, tariffs and inflation hang over the economy.

By Mahesh Ramanujam • July 15, 2025

California’s 2026 climate-risk reporting deadlines are here to stay: KPMG

Despite regulatory uncertainty at the federal level and internationally, California’s forging ahead and expecting companies to disclose their climate risks starting next year.

By Lamar Johnson • July 14, 2025

Cities can decarbonize buildings while cutting costs, new road map says

The guide from Climate Mayors and Veolia aims to help cities tackle one of their biggest greenhouse gas emissions challenges, even as federal support for energy efficiency and decarbonization shrinks.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • July 14, 2025

CARB publishes compliance guidance, update on California’s climate disclosure laws

The agency said it is in the “informal, information-gathering stage” for implementing SB 253 and SB 261, and aims to develop a regulation by the end of the year.

By Zoya Mirza • July 11, 2025

HSBC departs Net-Zero Banking Alliance, following US banks

The U.K.-based bank became the latest to exit the United Nations-backed NZBA, following in the footsteps of Wall Street's exodus from climate alliances.

By Lamar Johnson • July 11, 2025

Flexible work is ‘non-negotiable’ for gender equality, UN Women report says

“For the first time, gender equality ranks alongside healthcare and climate change as a top global concern,” according to the report.

By Carolyn Crist • July 11, 2025

California walks back environmental law for housing, advanced manufacturing

The changes to the California Environmental Quality Act could greatly speed up the issuance of building permits.

By Matthew Thibault • July 10, 2025

Mars unveils emissions reduction progress, launches $250M green investment fund

The confectionery giant has reduced its emissions by over 16% from a 2015 baseline, while scaling growth by 69% in the same time frame.

By Zoya Mirza • July 10, 2025

European Commission proposes simplifying sustainability taxonomy

The changes would reduce the number of reported data points by 89% for financial institutions and 64% for non-financial companies.

By Lamar Johnson • July 8, 2025

Coach’s leather could pose deforestation threat: report

An investigation by environmental nonprofit Earthsight said the Tapestry-owned brand is at risk of sourcing leather linked to illegal cattle ranching in Brazil.

By Laurel Deppen • July 8, 2025

Amazon releases waste diversion metrics as part of larger sustainability plan

The company says it reached an 85% waste diversion rate in 2024. Amazon’s waste and biodiversity director, Justine Mahler, says that’s driven partly by organics diversion programs and ongoing data collection investments.

By Megan Quinn • July 8, 2025