EEOC warns Fortune 500 to ‘reject identity politics’ in anti-DEI push

A letter from EEOC underscores the Trump administration’s stance on “unlawful discrimination” related to diversity, equity and inclusion at work.

By Ginger Christ • Feb. 27, 2026

Trump touts ‘we ended DEI’ in State of the Union

The president’s declaration follows a yearlong attack on DEI during which some employers rolled back their initiatives, while others stayed the course.

By Kate Tornone • Feb. 26, 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

Food, beverage companies lagging on addressing forced labor risks: report

Despite widespread commitments to end forced labor across their supply chains, food and beverage companies rarely implement the transparency and labor practices that prevent it, a new report finds.

By Lauren Schenkman • Feb. 23, 2026

EPA sued over rescission of greenhouse gas endangerment finding

Several groups are fighting the rollback of the 2009 finding, which determined that climate pollution threatens public health and welfare. The finding provided a legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

By Jeffrey Kinney • Feb. 20, 2026

Black women employment sees one of its sharpest annual declines in past 25 years

The months ahead might provide clearer answers as to whether the losses were “casualties of anti-equity backlash in action,” EPI researchers said.

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 19, 2026

Trump secures legal victory on anti-DEI directives

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals let stand two executive orders that target diversity, equity inclusion.

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 12, 2026

Legal group claims victory after EEOC ‘retreated’ on law firm DEI letters

Most of the 20 major law firms that received letters declined to provide the requested information, and the agency said it “considers the matter of responding to those letters closed.”

By Emilie Shumway • Feb. 11, 2026

How sustainable investors should navigate AI’s ESG risks: Nuveen

The report walks sustainable investors through the environmental, social and governance implications of artificial intelligence investments, along with the opportunities.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 10, 2026

Nike among the first targeted by EEOC for DEI activity

The retail giant called the commission’s attempt to enforce an administrative subpoena Wednesday a “surprising and unusual escalation.”

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 5, 2026

FTC fires warning shot at law firms that pursued DEI certification

Under President Donald Trump, the agency has said it will target “collusion or unlawful coordination on DEI metrics” that diminishes labor competition.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 3, 2026

Target, Best Buy CEOs sign letter calling for ‘deescalation of tensions’ in Minnesota

Michael Fiddelke joined about 60 other CEOs, including Best Buy's Corie Barry, in signing a letter about "recent challenges" in the state.

By Dani James • Jan. 27, 2026

Most companies are staying the course on ESG — just talking about it less

While companies have increasingly downplayed or avoided announcing their sustainability efforts, experts say they “remain on the same trajectory.”

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 22, 2026

1 year into Trump 2.0, HR professionals are ‘caught in the middle’ of the DEI debate

As the White House and EEOC solidify their anti-DEI stances, here are a few things HR can keep in mind.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 22, 2026

Gender pay gap in healthcare still exists, analysis shows

Despite being overrepresented in the field, women in healthcare are still paid less than their male peers, according to Premier Law Group data analysis.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 20, 2026

AI, tech expand career options for women in supply chain

Emerging technologies require new processes and operating models, creating a “huge opportunity” for women in the sector, says Berenice Vettore, global chief quality officer at The Estée Lauder Cos.

By Kelly Stroh • Jan. 15, 2026

eBay unveils climate transition plan to reach 2045 net-zero target

The transition plan comes almost a year after the e-commerce giant had its net-zero and emissions reduction goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 14, 2026

VC firm Superorganism raises over $25M to back biodiversity startups

The venture capital firm will look to expand its portfolio from 20 startups to 35 through its debut fund, its co-founders told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 13, 2026

Trump pulls US from key climate treaty, 65 other global organizations

The U.S. will exit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and several other global bodies focused on climate, energy, sustainable development and gender equality.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 9, 2026

Anti-DEI legal group asks EEOC to investigate Penguin Random House

While it is not clear that any previous appeal to EEOC has resulted in action from the agency, shifting priorities under the Trump administration may result in a different outcome.

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 22, 2025

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

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