JPMorgan conducted ‘fake’ interviews of Black candidates, lawsuit alleges

The bank’s treatment of the plaintiff is part of a decades-long “unbroken pattern of systemic race discrimination against African Americans,” per the lawsuit.

By Ginger Christ • Dec. 17, 2025

Trump issues EO targeting proxy advisers, including ISS, Glass Lewis

The order is directed at the SEC, FTC and DOL with the aim of stymieing the reach of the two proxy advisers, particularly on ESG and DEI-related issues.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 15, 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

Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 15, 2025

Apple’s environmental, social chief to retire next month

Lisa Jackson, the tech company’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, will depart in late January 2026 without a direct replacement.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 11, 2025

Trump administration illegally fired workers for real or perceived DEI roles, lawsuit alleges

The president’s “anti-DEI”-related directives allegedly “were targeted actions intended to punish perceived political enemies.”

By Ginger Christ • Dec. 11, 2025

EU legislators reach agreement to simplify sustainability reporting

The revised agreement would remove around 90% of companies from the CSRD’s scope, and 70% of companies from the CSDDD’s remit.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 9, 2025

AT&T drops DEI, gets $1B acquisition of UScellular greenlit

The telecommunications company committed to scrapping policies and programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in a bid to get a deal approved by the FCC.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Dec. 9, 2025

Starbucks to pay $39M in New York City labor settlement

New York City alleged the company violated its Fair Workweek rules upwards of 500,000 times between 2021 and 2024.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Dec. 4, 2025

Employers, workers to face healthcare ‘affordability crunch,’ report warns

A “sharp growth” in prescription drug spending, including pricey GLP-1 weight-loss medications, helped fuel the increase, according to HR consulting firm Mercer.

By Ginger Christ • Nov. 25, 2025

Microsoft ditches publishing ‘traditional’ diversity and inclusion report this year

The tech giant will instead help demonstrate its D&I progress through “more dynamic and accessible” formats, its chief communications officer told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 25, 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

Pay equity, barrier analysis remain ‘very legal’ ways to advance DEI, experts say

As DEI is increasingly politicized, HR still has some low-hanging fruit available.

By Kate Tornone • Nov. 20, 2025

Starbucks Workers United launches 65-store strike

The union said its members are prepared for the longest and most serious strike in the brand’s history, aimed at pushing Starbucks to agree to more favorable contract terms.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • 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

Former Paramount exec alleges termination was related to DEI goals

The White, 58-year old exec alleged he was fired as part of a purported reduction in force, but replaced with a non-White, 25-year-old employee.

By Kate Tornone • Nov. 6, 2025

JBS invests $1.1M to boost climate-smart agriculture, settle lawsuit with New York

The American subsidiary of the leading global beef and poultry producer will financially back sustainable agriculture programs for farmers in the state under the settlement.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 4, 2025

IBM fired Black executives to ‘appease’ Trump’s anti-DEI order, lawsuit claims

The company previously faced a series of lawsuits alleging that its DEI programs discriminated against White male employees.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 4, 2025

Why trees are an integral part of corporate water stewardship

Discover how tree planting can help strengthen corporate water stewardship goals.

By Arbor Day Foundation • Nov. 3, 2025

Labor department OKs standalone fertility treatment benefits for employees

Three agencies will issue regulations aimed at further reducing barriers for employers looking to offer fertility benefits, according to a White House fact sheet.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 21, 2025

Toyota and other manufacturers invest to fill child care void for workers

The automaker recently announced plans to add more than 1,000 seats at child care facilities across the country. It’s one of many manufacturers, including Iowa company Sukup, to expand this employment benefit.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 17, 2025

Climate Week NYC 2025: Perspectives on prioritizing sustainability in a politicized environment

As federal climate policy has largely reversed, more than 900 events were held at the annual summit to discuss the latest trends and innovations in climate and corporate sustainability.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Oct. 10, 2025

Why brands should stand firm on their social, sustainability values despite fear of backlash

Executives discussed the importance of brand values in growing loyalty and the future of inclusive strategies during Advertising Week New York.

By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 7, 2025

DEI in 2025: HR Certification Institute head on how to proceed

Even if company stakeholders are challenging the “DEI” acronym, employers can keep the spirit of equity and inclusion alive by focusing on “fairness” and “opportunity,” Amy Dufrane said.

By Caroline Colvin • 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

Amazon debuts $5 per week health plan

Employers have faced steep healthcare cost increases in recent years, leading to benefits shifts to accommodate the higher expense.

By Kathryn Moody • Oct. 1, 2025