Regulations
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SEC director backs investment advisers using AI for proxy voting
The agency’s Investment Management Division Director Brian Daly called a scenario where agentic artificial intelligence is utilized to give proxy voting advice “a near-term reality.”
By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 12, 2026 -
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OpinionRooftop solar is booming, but not in the communities that need it most
Prioritize community-led promotions and education strategies to have far-reaching impacts, writes Planno CEO Daniel Domingues.
By Daniel Domingues • Jan. 9, 2026 -
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Deep Dive4 trends that will shape ESG in 2026
After an eventful 2025, the next year holds further regulatory changes and a growing disclosure landscape, as companies quiet on sustainability talks.
By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Jan. 8, 2026 -
[Photograph]. Retrieved from Atlantic County Utilities Authority.
New Jersey court upholds key environmental justice law
Recyclers argued the state's Department of Environmental Protection overstepped its authority and blocked business operations. But an appeals court said DEP appropriately applied the EJ law.
By Megan Quinn • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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Mercedes settles emissions-cheating lawsuits for nearly $150M
The total value of the multi-state settlement could reach $347 million, according to one state attorney general.
By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 23, 2025 -
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Trump administration halts all large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in US
The action affects five major offshore wind farms under development in federal waters, including the 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. The administration cited classified “national security risks” for the move.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 23, 2025 -
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Anti-DEI legal group asks EEOC to investigate Penguin Random House
While it is not clear that any previous appeal to EEOC has resulted in action from the agency, shifting priorities under the Trump administration may result in a different outcome.
By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 22, 2025 -
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Court agrees to rehear $14B climate funding freeze case
The nonprofit recipients of $14 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants frozen by the EPA are scheduled to have their case reheard by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in February.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 22, 2025 -
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EU Parliament approves pact to alter sustainability reporting laws
The bloc now awaits final approval from the European Council to substantially simplify the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 17, 2025 -
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Trump issues EO targeting proxy advisers, including ISS, Glass Lewis
The order is directed at the SEC, FTC and DOL with the aim of stymieing the reach of the two proxy advisers, particularly on ESG and DEI-related issues.
By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 15, 2025 -
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Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit
Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”
By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 15, 2025 -
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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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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
