Regulations

  • A truck kicks up dirt as it passes a farm field in a deforested section of the Amazon
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cargill accelerates efforts to end deforestation in South America as EU regulations loom

    One of the world's largest commodities traders is moving up its timeline to eliminate land use conversion from supply chains in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. 

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 28, 2023
  • The front facade of the Oklahoma State Capitol building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Elizabeth Lara via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    State pensioner hits Oklahoma with lawsuit over its anti-ESG law

    The plaintiff alleges the state’s Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, which blacklists financial institutions that boycott oil and gas companies, is unconstitutional and hurts beneficiaries.

    By • Nov. 27, 2023
  • The Federal Trade Commission's building sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Gromit702 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Environmental groups call on FTC to stop pair of Big Oil mergers

    ExxonMobil’s and Chevron’s proposed mergers with Pioneer Natural Resources and Hess Corp., respectively, are two of the largest M&A deals in industry history and allegedly infringe on antitrust laws.

    By • Nov. 17, 2023
  • Governor of Texas holds a meeting with the governor of Floroida.
    Image attribution tooltip
    (2021). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Office of the Texas Governor.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    The ESG battle: 4 key states shaping regulatory discourse in the US

    Left-leaning California and New York and conservative-led Florida and Texas have stepped up regulatory measures to underscore ESG’s role — or lack thereof — in their jurisdictions.

    By , • Nov. 16, 2023
  • Plastic waste floating in water, including Gatorade bottles and Lay’s potato chip packaging, that was collected in April 2022 from the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, New York.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of New York State Attorney General
    Image attribution tooltip

    New York AG’s ‘first of its kind’ lawsuit against PepsiCo seeks plastic pollution accountability

    Letitia James sued PepsiCo for allegedly “harming the public and the environment with its single-use plastic packaging.” The complaint slams PepsiCo’s “misleading” plastic reduction efforts and recycling claims.

    By Maria Rachal • Nov. 16, 2023
  • The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. headquarters in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Hrushka/ESG Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    FDIC proposes adoption of Fair Hiring in Banking Act

    The proposal would relax employment restrictions, eliminating the need for individuals convicted of certain minor offenses to seek approval before being able to work at federally insured institutions.

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • A tram passes the giant Euro symbol with high rise office buildings the city of Frankfurt am, Germany in the background
    Image attribution tooltip
    Hannelore Foerster via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Banks might dodge EU’s supply chain sustainability regulations

    The proposed carveout for financial institutions would exclude them from having to submit climate transition plans.

    By • Nov. 14, 2023
  • World leaders attended the Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations Headquarters
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kena Betancur via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ESG conferences to plan for in 2024

    Upcoming events will cover sustainable finance, corporate strategy and governance, climate change, supply chain, social impact and more.

    By , • Nov. 13, 2023
  • Protesters from AFSCME and the AFL-CIO outside the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware.
    Image attribution tooltip
    William Thomas Cain via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CEO-worker pay gap rising and ‘bad for business’: report

    Recent research indicates CEO pay practices lead to governance issues as they spur “executive recklessness” such as mass layoffs, tax evasion and more that puts the economy at risk.

    By • Nov. 13, 2023
  • FTC antitrust law
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ESG promises won’t help win antitrust approval, says FTC Chair

    Non-statutory commitments, even those advancing social justice goals, will always be rejected as outside the bounds of the law, FTC Chair Lina Khan said in remarks.

    By Robert Freedman • Nov. 10, 2023
  • U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker participates in a committee hearing.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Key Republican senator drops GOP-backed carbon tariff bill

    Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., withdrew his support for Republican-sponsored legislation that tied international trade policy with emissions reduction goals — the first climate progressive bill to be put forward by the party.

    By • Nov. 10, 2023
  • European Union flags are pictured outside the European Commission building. The flags are blue with a circle of yellow stars.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Carl Court via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Environmental disclosure platform CDP to align with Europe’s sustainability standards

    The move will help U.S. companies prepare to comply with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

    By • Nov. 10, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    David McNew via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    SEC commissioner suggests ‘re-proposing’ climate risk disclosure rule

    Some investors seek broader company disclosures with the aim of promoting social change rather than clarifying stock valuations, SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda said.

    By Jim Tyson • Nov. 9, 2023
  • Voting signs laid out across the grass.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Spear via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Election results bring potential social implications for Ohio corporations

    The support for reproductive rights could have companies such as Kroger and Procter & Gamble, which are headquartered in the Buckeye State, evaluating their corporate social policies.

    By • Nov. 9, 2023
  • Youngkin sits, mouth slightly downturned with both hands on his right knee in a blue suit and green tie with a microphone. Blue background with The Economic Club of Washington, D.C., in white and red.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Democrats take control of Virginia legislature, clouding governor’s climate, abortion plans

    The election results mean stricter emission standards enacted two years ago will be the guidepost for Virginia-based auto manufacturers beginning in 2025 and more abortion protections could be on the way for all state employers.

    By • Nov. 9, 2023
  • Committee Chair Jason Smith is seated speaking center with ranking member Richard Neal on his left, photo right, and Vern Buchanan to the right, photo left. Three reps out of focus below.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    House Republicans argue Labor Department ESG rule runs afoul of tax code

    The Committee on Ways and Means’ majority raised objections to the Biden administration rule and called it a tactic to “use retirement savings to finance a political agenda.”

    By • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Texas oil and gas field
    Image attribution tooltip
    dszc via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Texas voters approve $10B energy fund, with most going to build gas-fired power plants

    The fund could allocate up to $7.2 billion for new construction or upgrades of dispatchable power generation. However, opponents called it a giveaway to fossil fuel developers.

    By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Businesswoman working with her coworker in a meeting room.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Edwin Tan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Credit union regulator proposes rule loosening hiring restrictions

    The National Credit Union Administration Board aims to expand career opportunities for individuals convicted of certain minor offenses and advance financial inclusion and equity within the credit union system.

    By • Nov. 7, 2023
  • An aerial view of a Texas Oil Refinery
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Texas Comptroller adds 5 companies to divestment list for fossil fuel stance

    The additions are part of a growing list of names drawn by the Lone Star state, which now mentions more than 350 investment funds and 15 companies, including BlackRock, BNP Paribas and UBS.

    By • Nov. 6, 2023
  • Jim Jordan sits behind a podium with his right hand around a pen and resting on his chin. Out of focus, the podium reads "Mr. Jordan, Chairman."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    House Judiciary subpoenas ESG, net-zero advocates alleging antitrust violations

    Chair Jim Jordan subpoenaed financial coalition GFANZ and advocacy group As You Sow, whose CEO called the warrant “unfounded” and said the underlying allegations are “twisting the facts.” 

    By • Nov. 3, 2023
  • A person walks across a landfill in India with a bale of recyclables on their head.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daniel Berehulak via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    New regulations seek to expose fashion greenwashers’ true colors

    In Europe, governments plan to prohibit fashion companies and other industries from making vague or misleading environmental claims, and the U.S. could soon do the same.

    By Lauren Schenkman • Nov. 1, 2023
  • People talk during a business meeting.
    Image attribution tooltip
    jacoblund via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    The ‘less tangible’ social data in ESG creates reporting hurdles

    Social issues have historically fallen behind environmental and governance factors, a setback experts attribute to the ambiguity of what the “S” really encompasses.

    By • Nov. 1, 2023
  • A person walks along a flooded sidewalk with a panel glass storefont to their left and a large white sign with "Pharmacy" in bold blue letters in the background and two cars driving on the far right.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bloomberg launches AI tool to help businesses navigate climate risks

    The tool, launched in partnership with Riskthinking.AI, will give businesses predictive exposure data under all of the IPCC’s climate scenarios.

    By • Oct. 31, 2023
  • Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks at a climate change conference.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sascha Schuermann via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    COP28 president, energy groups urge governments to triple renewable power by 2030

    A joint report released ahead of the summit outlines key steps economies can take to transition to a clean energy system and get back on track to reach the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal.

    By • Oct. 31, 2023
  • Flag blows outside state capitol building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    DustyPixel via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Arkansas lawmakers urged to defund DEI programs

    Diversity, equity and inclusion perpetuates racial discrimination and “feelings of disenfranchisement” and “animosity,” according to a witness who testified in front of the Arkansas State Legislature last week.

    By • Oct. 30, 2023