Texas attorney general probes ISS, Glass Lewis over ESG, DEI

Ken Paxton’s probe follows a recent injunction on a Texas anti-ESG law targeting proxy advisory firms, but Texas is not the only state looking at the two firms’ ESG and DEI policies.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 18, 2025

Wells Fargo execs settle suit over diverse hiring practices

The bank and shareholders expect to file a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement by Oct. 13, according to court documents.

By Caitlin Mullen • Sept. 18, 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

Court approves $43M settlement in Disney gender pay discrimination case

Disney agreed to have an outside labor economist conduct a pay equity analysis of certain positions for the next three years.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 17, 2025

McDonald’s launches $200M grassland conservation initiative

The sustainability project doubles as a long-term investment in U.S. beef supply chains, as tariffs on major beef producers loom.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2025

BlackRock’s support for environmental, social proposals dips to less than 2% in 2025

After peaking in the 2021 proxy season, the world’s largest asset manager has reduced its support for environmental and social proposals each of the past four proxy seasons.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 11, 2025

Tesla’s former DEI lead has some advice about fear in the workplace

Kristen Kavanaugh shares how companies can champion a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace in an evolving political landscape.

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 11, 2025

Most firms aim to boost budgets for worker safety in next three years: EY

Work-related accidents and diseases annually take the lives of 3 million people worldwide, according to the International Labor Organization.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 9, 2025

The AI paradox: Energy crisis in the age of data and AI

By becoming your own sovereign data and AI platform, you don’t have to choose between innovation, cost savings and energy efficiency.

Sept. 8, 2025

Vanguard supports no environmental, social proposals for second straight year

The world’s second-largest asset manager also reported witnessing declines in environmental and social submissions, and shareholder proposals more broadly, while anti-ESG filings increased.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 4, 2025

Uber Eats settles Seattle labor claims for $15M

The delivery aggregator denied allegations by city authorities that it misled workers about potential earnings and paid them less than required.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 4, 2025

Mexico’s avocado industry pledges deforestation-free exports by 2026

The move comes after investigations found illegal deforestation and water sourcing, along with violent coercion, in Mexico’s avocado region.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 28, 2025

Collection, not public disclosure, may doom Illinois demographic data law

Anti-DEI collective American Alliance for Equal Rights alleged that SB2930 violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 25, 2025

Major companies reframing, not abandoning, DEI: report

More than half of S&P 100 companies adjusted their diversity, equity and inclusion messaging in major filings in 2025, according to The Conference Board.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 12, 2025

DEI pushback affects LGBTQ+ marketing: Here’s what the numbers say

Inclusive ads impact the purchasing behavior of 77% of LGBTQ+ consumers, according to data from Disqo and Do the Werq.

By Sara Karlovitch • Aug. 8, 2025

How and why to conduct a DEI audit in construction

The industry has been working to improve diversity, but that could also bring scrutiny from Washington. Here’s how to walk the line.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 7, 2025

Fortune 500 companies didn’t live up to DEI pledges, law firm says

Despite Big Tech’s DEI commitments, women of color comprise only 4% of leadership at companies like Apple and Google, according to Shegerian Conniff.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 1, 2025

1 in 5 companies say they’ve slashed DEI since Trump’s election

Half of the companies that have eliminated DEI say morale is down, and 1 in 5 say they’ve seen an increase in reports of discrimination and bias.

By Ginger Christ • July 30, 2025

Renewable energy projects facing increased litigation: BHRRC

The “growing wave” of lawsuits raises alarms that ignoring human rights could slow down the energy transition, according to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. 

By Lauren Schenkman • July 28, 2025

Paramount promises to abstain from DEI programs to secure Skydance merger

The FCC hinging its approval of the merger on Paramount decommitting from DEI is the latest example of public-sector agendas affecting private-sector talent strategy.

By Caroline Colvin • July 28, 2025

DOL rescinds Biden-era letter on Citi racial equity proposal

The program, which Citi said was never implemented, was slated to provide “diverse managers” with a competitive advantage, an agency official wrote.

By Emilie Shumway • July 23, 2025

DOE to drop accessibility requirement for buildings receiving federal funds

Federal accessibility standards won’t apply to buildings using U.S. Energy Department funds for energy efficiency or other uses under a rule rescission taking effect soon.

By Robert Freedman • July 18, 2025

DEI trainings remain under the microscope as companies respond to scrutiny

Joint guidance from federal agencies has changed the DEI landscape, according to a management-side attorney.

By Caroline Colvin • July 17, 2025

How to protect employees from heat and other climate extremes

Basics like shade, water and rest can help, but HR should involve workers in the planning process, sources told HR Dive.

By Ryan Golden • July 15, 2025

Flexible work is ‘non-negotiable’ for gender equality, UN Women report says

“For the first time, gender equality ranks alongside healthcare and climate change as a top global concern,” according to the report.

By Carolyn Crist • July 11, 2025

Connect with customers by marketing with heart

Consumers want to know what your brand stands for. Dig into why purpose and profit go hand in hand.

June 30, 2025