SBTi finalizes long-awaited update to its Corporate Net-Zero Standard

Version 2 of the standard represents a “major revision” and will be available for companies to set net-zero and emissions reductions targets in 2027.

By Lamar Johnson • June 12, 2026

CDP splits into two entities, nabs private equity funding

The environmental nonprofit’s new structure — following a major investment from Permira — will consist of a commercial entity known as “CDP” and a charitable arm known as the “CDP Foundation.”

By Zoya Mirza • June 11, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

The landscape for ESG continues to shift, as U.S. exits from major climate agreements and organizations are juxtaposed with states forging ahead with their own climate disclosure laws.

By ESG Dive staff

Banks’ fossil fuel financing increased 8% in 2025: report

The world’s largest banks committed $906 billion to fossil fuel financing, with funding for expansion rising 27%, according to the latest Banking on Climate Chaos report.

By Lamar Johnson • June 9, 2026

HowGood, Sweep partner to track carbon footprint of food, agriculture products

The carbon accounting companies' partnership aims to help food and agriculture businesses incorporate ingredient- and product-level emissions data into broader sustainability reporting efforts.

By Zoya Mirza • June 5, 2026

Google commits to replenish more water than it uses by 2030

The tech giant’s new goal puts it on par with competitors and fellow hyperscalers Amazon, Meta and Microsoft.

By Lamar Johnson • June 4, 2026

Global initiative releases draft framework for corporate social disclosures

The draft guidance from the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures is designed to help companies disclose governance and oversight of issues related to workers, consumers and communities.

By Lamar Johnson • June 3, 2026

Accounting and finance pros value making their mark on ESG issues

The opportunity to play a role in social and environmental matters is a key aspect of a potential employer’s appeal.

By David McCann • June 3, 2026

Democratic finance officers rebut Republican assertions to credit agencies: Exclusive

The state and local finance officers sent a letter to Fitch, Moody’s and S&P last month urging the companies to maintain “independent, forward-looking” risk assessments as part of their ratings frameworks. 

By Lamar Johnson • June 2, 2026

SEC proposes rule rescinding Biden-era climate risk disclosures

The agency’s proposal calls the 2024 climate disclosure rules “a dramatic overreach of the Commission’s statutory authority and, independently, unsound as a matter of policy.”

By Lamar Johnson • May 29, 2026

BP ousts chair over ‘serious’ governance, oversight concerns

The oil giant’s board removed Albert Manifold from his roles as chair and director this week, effective immediately. He faced a significant contingent of investor opposition at BP’s recent annual meeting.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated May 27, 2026

Think you know what regulatory monitoring costs your organisation? Think again.

How much is manual regulatory monitoring really costing your organisation? The number may surprise you.

May 26, 2026

SBTi lays out strategy pivot to expand role as climate action ‘transformation partner’

The global standard-setting organization said “the world has changed significantly since its founding” and that its strategy for the rest of the decade “marks a clear shift.”

By Lamar Johnson • May 22, 2026

FASB finalizes new environmental credit rules

Previously generally accepted accounting principles provided no specific guidance to help companies account for carbon offsets and emissions allowances related to cap-and-trade programs.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Updated May 22, 2026

Smurfit Westrock introduces 2030 sustainability goals

In its first sustainability report covering the integrated company, Smurfit Westrock laid out targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste. It also teased that more goals could be coming.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 15, 2026

Iran war inflation crimps profits, plans for investment, hiring: NABE

Half of the respondents to a National Association for Business Economics survey put the odds of a U.S. recession in the next 12 months at 26% or higher.

By Jim Tyson • May 12, 2026

SBTi promotes deputy director to lead climate target validation subsidiary

McKenna Smith will become managing director for SBTi Services. She was formerly a deputy director for the subsidiary and a target validation manager for SBTi.

By Zoya Mirza • May 11, 2026

SEC works to rescind Biden-era climate disclosure rule

The agency’s staff is working on a recommendation to retract its 2024 climate rule at the direction of Chair Paul Atkins, an agency spokesperson said.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated May 11, 2026

Age fades as barrier to winning the CEO seat: NBER research

Yet ageism persists below the C-suite, with most U.S. workers aged 50 or older reporting bias, according to AARP.

By Jim Tyson • May 6, 2026

Climate data firm Risilience elevates former S&P, Moody’s exec to CEO

Angela Brown, formerly the company’s chief product officer, will succeed Andrew Coburn, who will become chair. The new role feels like “natural progression, but also a meaningful shift in perspective,” Brown told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • May 6, 2026

California publishes long-awaited packaging EPR rules

The milestone gives way to next compliance steps for SB 54, the sweeping extended producer responsibility and source reduction law. Circular Action Alliance also published estimated fees for obligated producers.

By Maria Rachal • May 6, 2026

Organizations partner to develop corporate water stewardship guidance

The group plans to develop shared language and metrics for how companies track and measure water impacts and risks across their supply chain.

By Lamar Johnson • May 1, 2026

General Mills faces setback in supply chain sustainability push

The food maker said total greenhouse gas emissions fell 14% in fiscal 2025 compared to 2020 baseline, less than the 19% drop in 2024.

By Antone Gonsalves • April 30, 2026

GHG Protocol taps industry vet to become first CEO

Boston Consulting Group executive Tim Mohin will be the first chief executive for the standard-setting organization. He served as CEO of the Global Reporting Initiative from 2017 until 2020.

By Lamar Johnson • April 28, 2026

Apple suppliers boost green energy but stagnate on emissions cuts

The iPhone maker has reduced manufacturing emissions each year since 2021.

By Antone Gonsalves • April 27, 2026

Delta reframes net-zero as an ‘aspiration,’ but denies axing 2030 SAF goal

The reframing of its operational net-zero goal comes as an airline spokesperson reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to reaching 10% sustainability aviation fuel usage by 2030.

By Lamar Johnson • April 17, 2026