The ESG industry outlook on 2024: Climate disclosure rules, proxy voting and more

The upcoming year will determine how national and international regulation, shareholder rights and proposal approvals, and scope 3 reporting influence the ESG landscape.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Jan. 30, 2024

Walgreens reports spike in scope 3, points to business travel and downstream transportation

The retail pharmacy chain said it had reduced its overall carbon footprint by almost 25% compared to a 2019 baseline, despite a surge in scope 3 emissions.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 29, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

The ESG landscape in the U.S. continues to shift, as federal agencies' efforts to recalibrate their approach to sustainability are juxtaposed with states forging ahead with their own climate disclosure laws.

By ESG Dive staff

Texas AG bans Barclays from state municipal bonds over ESG

The Lone Star state said the ban stems from the bank’s association with the Net Zero Banking Alliance and refusal to provide additional information about its carbon emissions commitments.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 29, 2024

EU ESG due diligence directive set to take effect

Final approval of the regulatory action is expected to happen soon. When it does, U.S. companies doing $300M in EU business must show they're meeting environmental and social goals. 

By Neil D’Souza • Jan. 29, 2024

Global Reporting Initiative updates biodiversity reporting standards

The standard for the first time includes increased transparency on impacts through the supply chain, as biodiversity loss is affecting every region of the world.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 26, 2024

2024 proxy outlook: What’s driving the ESG proposal approval dip?

Major asset managers and a spate of anti-ESG proposals helped push approval rates down, yet even more ESG proposals are expected after a record 2023.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 25, 2024

EU lawmakers approve 2-year delay of CSRD reporting for non-EU companies and specific sectors

The deferral will allow companies to first focus on the implementation of broader sustainability reporting requirements before they start adhering to sector specific standards.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 25, 2024

76% of companies link pay to ESG performance in rising trend: WTW

The biggest companies are weaving ESG into pay incentives despite a backlash against the use of sustainability as a metric for corporate performance.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2024

Crown, IP, Smurfit Kappa among ‘early adopters’ for nature-related financial disclosures

As biodiversity loss becomes more of a concern in sustainability reporting, multiple packaging companies have agreed to align reporting with recommendations from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 23, 2024

House GOP says SEC is overstepping authority, cannot demand climate disclosures

Expert witnesses for the Financial Services Subcommittee differed in legal interpretations of the agency’s power to issue the rule.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 19, 2024

To keep or not to keep: The fate of scope 3 emissions in SEC’s climate disclosure rule

Given all of the pushback the agency has received over its proposed rule, particularly scope 3 reporting requirements, experts are uncertain if scope 3 will make the final cut.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 18, 2024

ESG to factor strongly in 2024 executive pay plans despite pushback: WTW

Environmental, social and governance strategies are “here to stay,” consultants said. But U.S. company boards are also seeking a more tailored approach.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 22, 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

Unilever under UK investigation for alleged greenwashing of products

The British competition regulator will scrutinize environmental claims for consumer goods made by the CPG giant, including Dove, Comfort and Cif.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 20, 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

Lidl US’s first corporate social responsibility report outlines a dozen top goals for the company

The discounter said it aims to narrow its gender pay gap as well as reduce scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 8, 2023

Disney says ESG policies could cut into profits

Oklahoma’s state treasurer said the filing proves taking environmental, social and governance factors into account diminishes shareholder returns.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 4, 2023

Bloomberg tool to map data based on UN Sustainable Development Goals

The company said the enterprise tool is the first to allow investors to assess how corporations are impacting the UN’s 2030 agenda.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 28, 2023

NYU’s Stern calls for system overhaul in ESG ratings

Environmental, social and governance investing should center on companies’ impacts on the environment and society rather than shareholder profit, the report argues.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 27, 2023

Global Reporting Initiative proposes climate change, energy standards

The key focus of the two proposals is on how organizations can cut their greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 22, 2023

Verizon launches annual industry wide climate risk survey

The telecommunications provider’s move to expand its risk analysis comes in the wake of an environmental and health scandal earlier this year.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 17, 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

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

Most organizations lack a fully established ESG reporting framework: report

Heightened scrutiny around environmental, social and governance issues is impacting a company’s operations on every front, including its lease management, according to a study from Visual Lease.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 2, 2023