Trump’s SEC pick sparks concern from ESG, climate experts

The president-elect picked Paul Atkins for Securities and Exchange Commission chair, who experts expect to prioritize maximizing corporate returns over ESG considerations.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 5, 2024

Racial diversity falling among new corporate directors: Conference Board

The Securities and Exchange Commission is considering recommending a rule requiring companies to disclose more about diversity on their boards.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 4, 2024

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

BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street sued by Texas, red states

The three firms are accused of forming “a cartel to rig the coal market,” but State Street and BlackRock called the lawsuit “baseless” in separate statements to ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Dec. 2, 2024

What the US offered on climate action at COP29

The United States’ delegation at the annual climate conference said its federal government was on track to reduce scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2024

CalPERS over halfway to $100B climate goal, urged to stop buying Exxon bonds

The fund has invested $3.6 billion in climate solutions since 2023 and pledged another $3.2 billion in related investments.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 25, 2024

SEC’s Gensler to step down Jan. 20 after robust rulemaking, enforcement

In one of his most widely criticized moves, Gensler gained SEC approval this year for a regulation requiring companies to disclose the impact of climate change on their finances, operations and business strategy.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 22, 2024

Audit committees expand oversight to ESG, cybersecurity, AI: EY

Nearly four out of five investors said boards should demonstrate expertise in climate, cybersecurity and other risks by detailing their work to limit such hazards, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 21, 2024

Vanguard’s updated investor proxy choice program includes anti-ESG voting option

Three new funds have been added to the program, and the firm also included an option for investors who want a “wealth-focused,” anti-ESG voting policy option.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 19, 2024

JPMorgan unveils green financing ratio following shareholder proposal

The bank said it spent $1.29 on green solutions for every dollar spent on high-carbon activities in the disclosure prompted by a proposal submitted by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Nov. 18, 2024

Only 16% of global companies on track for 2050 net-zero goals: Accenture

“The fact that so few of the G2000 companies are on track to reach net-zero emissions is alarming,” the director of shareholder advocacy at Trillium Asset Management told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 14, 2024

Trump win is ‘setback’ for climate protection, but clean energy advocates say progress will continue

Trump’s victory means a Republican will be selected to lead FERC, which will likely work to rein in transmission incentives, said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2024

California’s climate disclosure laws survive first legal challenge

A federal judge denied a motion for summary judgment from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which alleged the state’s climate bills — SB 253 and SB 261 — violated the First Amendment.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 12, 2024

SEC charges Invesco $17.5M for misleading ESG statements

“Companies should be straightforward with their clients and investors rather than seeking to capitalize on investing trends and buzzwords,” the acting head of SEC enforcement said.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 11, 2024

Mercedes-Benz seeks circularity with new battery recycling plant

The facility in Germany will help the automaker turn “today’s batteries into tomorrow’s sustainable mine for raw materials,” one board member said.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 11, 2024

Clean energy, sustainable investors brace for second Trump presidency

Experts expect private sector work on ESG issues and the clean energy transition to continue, albeit at a slower pace, under a reelected Donald Trump.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 7, 2024

The ESG, climate rules at stake under a second Trump term

Several climate and ESG-related regulations at the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Labor are likely headed for the chopping block come January.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 7, 2024

SEC says funds mischaracterizing use of ESG factors

The assessment is part of a broader risk alert by the agency regarding the discrepancy between funds’ investment strategies and marketing literature.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 6, 2024

Marsh to insure carbon credits against counterfeits, fraud

The insurance broker said the new insurance facility will help de-risk carbon credit investments and protect companies from potential “fraudsters.”

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 5, 2024

Election 2024: Harris, Trump present ‘diametrically opposed’ impacts on ESG

“A Harris administration would be more favorable for the interests of ESG investors whereas a Trump administration would be antagonistic,” according to Morningstar Indexes’ head of strategy.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Nov. 1, 2024

Morgan Stanley adjusts climate targets with Paris Agreement goal slipping

The bank’s 2030 targets now include a net-zero scenario that would limit additional temperature rise to 1.7°C, as aspirations for limiting global warming to 1.5°C fade.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 30, 2024

Gender diversity on boards plateaus — but that’s not the full picture

It mirrors an ongoing trend in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, where interest and investments in equity seemed to be slowing.  

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 29, 2024

SEC panel urged to back shareholder rights, proposal process

Shareholders’ rights advocates urged the agency's Investor Advisory Committee to defend the current proposal process as a “vital right of shareholders” against attempts to dilute them.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 29, 2024

BlackRock targeted for greenwashing in ClientEarth complaint

The environmental nonprofit sent a complaint to French regulators alleging the firm is mislabeling funds as “sustainable,” despite holding $1 billion in fossil fuel investments.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Oct. 25, 2024

Most finance leaders believe sustainability targets out of reach: EY

CFOs leading companies active in the U.S. and Europe face a “fluid picture” when attempting to meet regulations for sustainability reporting, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 24, 2024

NYC comptroller proposes stopping pensions’ private market investments in fossil fuels

The funds would be the first U.S. public pension plans to have exclusions on investing in fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 23, 2024