How 3 states are attacking carbon emissions from transportation

While 21 states sued the federal government over its new rule requiring transportation emission reduction targets, others are forging ahead to clean up the sector.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 10, 2024

4 ESG trends that set the tone for 2024

It’s shaping up to be a big year for ESG with a packed SEC agenda, fights over corporate DEI efforts and shareholder rights and a focus on financing the net zero transition.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Jan. 10, 2024

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

Federal court won’t reconsider decision to overturn Berkeley, California, natural gas ban

If the city wants to continue to appeal the decision, its next step would be the U.S. Supreme Court. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 4, 2024

EU’s financial regulator: Stronger regulation needed to deter greenwashing

The European Securities and Markets Authority found negligible stock-based impacts of ESG controversies on companies, noting a lack of market-based mechanisms to prevent greenwashing. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 3, 2024

Industry leaders blast Treasury’s draft guidance for clean hydrogen tax credits

Some leading hydrogen producers are already talking about suing to stop the implementation of the Treasury Department’s proposal, according to Mona Dajani, a partner at Baker Botts.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 22, 2023

New York finalizes climate-risk guidance for financial institutions

The state said the new rules will help banking and mortgage institutions prepare for the physical and transition risks of climate change.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 22, 2023

EU Council reaches agreement on new ESG rating rule

The regulation is designed to increase transparency of sustainability score providers and will apply to non-European Union based companies looking to operate in the bloc.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 21, 2023

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