US workers report a ‘major AI trust gap’ that affects their view of companies

Half of workers said they prefer humans to review job applications, evaluate work performance and make decisions that affect careers, SHL survey results said.

By Carolyn Crist • Dec. 1, 2025

US Plastics Pact assesses pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

The group calls for chemical recyclers to consider environmental justice impacts and offer more data and transparency around operations, but says the technologies offer key circular economy opportunities for plastic.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 24, 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

JPMorgan Chase enhancing due diligence for clients in the Amazon region

The bank will use a geospatial definition of the region preferred by Indigenous leaders and activists, but the change does not bring any inherent restrictions.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 19, 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

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

Solar project delays decreased in Q3 2025: EIA

Third-quarter solar projects that represented about 20% of planned capacity for the period reported a delay, down from 25% for the same period last year, said the Energy Information Administration.

By Diana DiGangi • 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

Is the rise of female CFOs pausing — or stalling out?

Women accounted for 17.5% of CFOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies at the end of June, roughly flat YoY, according to Crist Kolder Associates.

By Colleen Lutolf • Nov. 12, 2025

SBTi’s latest draft standard proposes flexible, scope-specific target setting

The second draft of the updated standard introduces scope-specific emissions approaches, including three options for reducing scope 1 emissions.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 10, 2025

Brookfield sees opportunities for nuclear, hydropower

Strong corporate procurements and U.S. government interest support the company’s “clean firm” investments as renewables remain strong, executives said this week.

By Brian Martucci • Nov. 10, 2025

Science-based climate targets boost corporate reputation, decarbonization pace: report

“Companies now have a clear business case” for setting science-based climate targets, according to Science Based Targets initiative CEO David Kennedy.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Nov. 10, 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

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

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

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

IEA revises down US renewables capacity growth estimate by about 50%

The International Energy Agency expects global renewable power capacity will double by 2030, increasing by 4.6 terawatts, but anticipated U.S. deployments shrank 50% since last year.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 9, 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

NZBA votes to cease all operations, abandon membership model

The Net Zero Banking Alliance becomes the second United Nations climate-aligned industry group to suspend operations in 2025.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 3, 2025

Conferences ESG and sustainability professionals should attend in 2026

After 2025’s regulatory turbulence, sustainability and ESG professionals will convene throughout 2026 to learn how to navigate the changing political and policy landscape.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Oct. 1, 2025

‘Regional fragmentation’ confuses sustainability requirements, experts say

“I've never seen the pendulum swing so far and so fast as I have in the last year,” Boston Consulting Group Director Tim Mohin said at an event aligned with Climate Week NYC.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 29, 2025

California names companies expected to report emissions, climate risks

State regulators released a preliminary list of entities that may have to report under SB 253 and SB 261. Companies that have already completed TCFD reports could have a leg up.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 29, 2025

Energy-related US CO2 emissions down 20% since 2005: EIA

The Energy Information Administration expects the trend to reverse with a 1% increase in U.S. emissions this year due to electricity generation growth and increased fossil fuel consumption.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 26, 2025

Manufacturers scrutinize supply chains for California scope 3 emissions disclosures

While federal regulations may be on hold, California is moving ahead with greenhouse gas reporting requirements. Manufacturers, including packaging companies, are digging deep into their data to get ready.

By Mary Catherine O’Connor • Sept. 22, 2025

Google inks deal to remove carbon dioxide, measure waste-generated methane emissions

The tech company will team with bio-waste removal startup Vaulted Deep to remove 50,000 tonnes of CO2 and work with carbon registry Isometric on standards to measure averted methane emissions.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 17, 2025

EPA proposes ending the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule would eliminate required GHG emissions reporting for carbon dioxide injection sites, fuel and industrial gas suppliers and “most large facilities."

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 15, 2025