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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$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

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

Sustainability across supply chains still a priority for companies: MIT

Despite recent regulatory volatility, 73% of businesses remained steady with their sustainability commitments, according to a new report from the university.

By Lauren Schenkman • Oct. 23, 2025

Labor department OKs standalone fertility treatment benefits for employees

Three agencies will issue regulations aimed at further reducing barriers for employers looking to offer fertility benefits, according to a White House fact sheet.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 21, 2025

States sue EPA over canceled Solar for All grants

In the third lawsuit filed about the grants this month, 22 states and the District of Columbia contend the agency illegally revoked $7 billion in clean energy funds awarded to local governments.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 20, 2025

State AGs probe Big Tech’s use of renewable energy certificates

Republican attorneys general from 16 states sent letters to Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft last month questioning claims the companies had made about their energy consumption and emissions reductions.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 17, 2025

SEC’s updated shareholder proposal rules could exclude E+S submissions: Atkins

SEC Chair Paul Atkins argued that non-binding submissions, like those focused on environmental and social issues, could be excludable under certain state laws.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 16, 2025

California delays rulemaking timeline for climate regulations to 2026

The California Air Resources Board announced the delay shortly after it published a draft reporting template for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions for entities under SB 253.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Oct. 15, 2025

Interior denies canceling largest solar project in US after axing review

A U.S. Department of the Interior spokesperson said the agency canceled a broad environmental review grouping together seven individual projects that make up the 6.2-gigawatt Esmeralda 7 project, but could review each one individually.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 15, 2025

EV incentives dry up, costs stay high

Analysts say hybrid and plug-in hybrid growth will help offset declining pure-EV sales, giving dealers time to recoup charging and training investments.

By Alysha Webb • Oct. 14, 2025

Amid policy pressures, clean energy investment is diversifying: Crux

Data from the first half of this year shows clean energy investment continuing to increase, but changing in shape, said Crux CEO Alfred Johnson.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 14, 2025

Climate Week NYC 2025: Perspectives on prioritizing sustainability in a politicized environment

As federal climate policy has largely reversed, more than 900 events were held at the annual summit to discuss the latest trends and innovations in climate and corporate sustainability.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Oct. 10, 2025

Keeping track of California’s climate disclosure laws as 2026 deadlines loom

As the California Air Resources Board finalizes regulations for Senate Bills 253 and 261, large companies in the state must prepare to disclose their climate risks and, potentially, emissions.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Updated Nov. 18, 2025

EPA sued for terminating $7B Solar for All program

“Instead of distributing the Solar for All funds as Congress directed, Defendants hastily and unlawfully terminated” the program, the plaintiffs allege.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 8, 2025

Climate risk ‘cannot be about politics,’ say sustainable investors seeking bipartisan collaboration

Environmental nonprofit Ceres explored areas of common ground on climate risk and opportunity during New York City’s annual climate event.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 7, 2025