Regulations
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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 -
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Trump administration illegally fired workers for real or perceived DEI roles, lawsuit alleges
The president’s “anti-DEI”-related directives allegedly “were targeted actions intended to punish perceived political enemies.”
By Ginger Christ • Dec. 11, 2025 -
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TrendlineTop 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 -
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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 -
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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 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
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 -
The image by Tyler A. McNeil is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Trump proposes ‘reset’ of fuel economy standards, gutting Biden-era climate policy
The White House claims that the current standards have imposed “unrealistic fuel economy targets” on automakers.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 5, 2025 -
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Starbucks to pay $39M in New York City labor settlement
New York City alleged the company violated its Fair Workweek rules upwards of 500,000 times between 2021 and 2024.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Dec. 4, 2025 -
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CARB issues enforcement advisory on SB 261 following appeals court decision
The California Air Resources Board issued guidance on a law seeking climate-related financial risk disclosures after its implementation was halted by the Ninth Circuit last month.
By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 2, 2025 -
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Smart permitting, phase-out of diesel generators could curb data center environmental impacts
A look at what’s happening in California shows that even in an environmentally progressive state, unhealthy emissions and resource depletion is a problem needing a solution, an academic report says.
By Robert Freedman • Dec. 2, 2025 -
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OpinionStates must advance technology-neutral permitting to support clean energy
A competitive environment is necessary for rapid innovation and cost reduction as federal support evaporates, say Leila Banijamali and Zachary Millimet of permitting software company Symbium.
By Leila Banijamali and Zachary Millimet • Dec. 1, 2025 -
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Storage, hybrid projects emerging as renewable energy post-OBBBA winners: LevelTen Energy
Hybrid development could exceed standalone wind and solar by 2030, a developer survey finds.
By Emma Penrod • Nov. 26, 2025 -
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Microsoft ditches publishing ‘traditional’ diversity and inclusion report this year
The tech giant will instead help demonstrate its D&I progress through “more dynamic and accessible” formats, its chief communications officer told ESG Dive.
By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 25, 2025 -
Kate Tornone/ESG Dive
Pay equity, barrier analysis remain ‘very legal’ ways to advance DEI, experts say
As DEI is increasingly politicized, HR still has some low-hanging fruit available.
By Kate Tornone • Nov. 20, 2025 -
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Federal appeals court halts implementation of California’s climate law SB 261
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily stopped enforcement of a law that requires large businesses operating in California to publicly disclose their climate-related financial risks.
By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 18, 2025 -
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SEC won’t weigh in on most no-action requests this proxy season, including ESG submissions
The change “has the potential to end shareholder proposals as we know them,” a former SEC corporation finance division director told ESG Dive.
By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 17, 2025 -
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EU Parliament votes to weaken corporate sustainability laws
Under the changes, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive would only apply to large and very large businesses, respectively.
By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 14, 2025 -
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Starbucks Workers United launches 65-store strike
The union said its members are prepared for the longest and most serious strike in the brand’s history, aimed at pushing Starbucks to agree to more favorable contract terms.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 14, 2025 -
Kayla Bartowski via Getty Images
Bipartisan bill would require employers to report AI-related layoffs
Over the past year, legislators of all political leanings have proposed ideas to mitigate the potential harms of AI to workers.
By Emilie Shumway • Nov. 13, 2025 -
Trade, policy ‘headwinds’ push First Solar to boost US production
The Arizona-based solar module manufacturer commissioned its newest facility in August and plans to add 3.7 GW in annual finishing capacity by next December.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 5, 2025 -
Courtesy of JBS
JBS invests $1.1M to boost climate-smart agriculture, settle lawsuit with New York
The American subsidiary of the leading global beef and poultry producer will financially back sustainable agriculture programs for farmers in the state under the settlement.
By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 4, 2025 -
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IBM fired Black executives to ‘appease’ Trump’s anti-DEI order, lawsuit claims
The company previously faced a series of lawsuits alleging that its DEI programs discriminated against White male employees.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 4, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
ExxonMobil sues California over climate disclosure laws, alleging free speech violations
The oil major filed a lawsuit against the state last week, claiming its climate disclosure laws — Senate Bills 253 and 261 — were in violation of the First Amendment.
By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 31, 2025 -
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$1.6B in clean energy investments were rolled back in September: E2
More than $24 billion in clean energy investment has been withdrawn so far this year, according to E2. The group said $11 billion in new projects were announced over the same period.
By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 29, 2025 -
David McNew via Getty Images
Wind PPA prices rising faster than solar under Trump administration
New tariffs could add another 10% to 15% to power purchase agreement prices in the months to come, a Trio analyst said.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 28, 2025
