Wyoming to require disclosure of the use of social investment factors

The secretary of state adopted the rule because of ongoing concerns about ESG strategies negatively affecting state industries like coal and agriculture.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 20, 2023

Tennessee sues BlackRock over ‘misleading’ ESG strategy

The lawsuit claims the $9.1 trillion firm misled consumers about the scope and effects of its ESG activity and released conflicting statements regarding ESG’s influence over its business decisions. 

By Anna Hrushka • Dec. 19, 2023

Banks are excluded from EU’s human rights, due diligence regulation — for now

Despite opposition to leaving financial institutions out, the final draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive only states the sector may need to comply at a later date.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 19, 2023

Treasury releases sustainable aviation fuel tax credit guidance

SAF manufacturers could receive an additional $0.01 per gallon over the base credit for each percentage point the fuel reduces emissions above 50%.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 18, 2023

Democratic senators press Gensler to expedite release of human capital disclosure rule

The updated rule — which requires companies to report on employee compensation, benefits, turnover data and more — is now slated for release in April 2024.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 15, 2023

Companies setting their own carbon prices without global standard: Reuters

The new analysis from the Climate Disclosure Project has found companies’ internal carbon prices range anywhere from under $1 to $1,600 per metric ton of carbon emissions.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 13, 2023

Vanguard, Arjuna Capital issued House Judiciary subpoenas over ESG probe

The committee is seeking information from the two asset management firms for its investigation into whether industry climate alliances violate antitrust law.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 12, 2023

Gensler: EU regulations would take precedence without SEC climate rule

The Securities and Exchange Commission will talk with its European counterparts on using its rule as a substitute for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 8, 2023

UN report proposes measures to slash up to 96% of cooling emissions by 2050

Passive cooling, higher energy efficiency standards and a quicker phasedown of climate-warming refrigerants could save $1 trillion by 2050, according to the report released during COP28.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 7, 2023

Final SEC climate disclosure rule pushed to April 2024

The long-awaited timing update comes via the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda for next year, which also unveiled new timetables for other ESG-related proposals.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 7, 2023

House Republicans say climate disclosure rule puts Science Based Targets initiative outside oversight

GOP members of the House Science Committee took issue with the Biden administration's rule requiring large contractors to have emissions reductions targets validated by the international organization.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 1, 2023

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

IRS and Treasury propose clean energy investment tax credit updates

The proposed regulations would further define what qualifies as an ITC-eligible energy property and address Inflation Reduction Act-related wage and apprenticeship requirements.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 28, 2023

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 Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023

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 Lamar Johnson • Nov. 17, 2023

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 Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Nov. 16, 2023

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

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 Lamar Johnson • Nov. 15, 2023

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 Lamar Johnson • Nov. 14, 2023

ESG and sustainability conferences to keep on your radar for 2024

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

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Updated June 7, 2024

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 Zoya Mirza • Nov. 13, 2023

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

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 Zoya Mirza • Nov. 10, 2023

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 Lamar Johnson • Nov. 10, 2023

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