Meta turning to mass timber to build more sustainable data centers

The social media and tech conglomerate is looking to swap out steel and concrete for durable wood to lower the embodied carbon emissions of its data center campuses.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 5, 2025

Increased production, polyester use causing fashion industry’s emissions to rise: report

The apparel sector’s greenhouse gas emissions increased to 944 million metric tons in 2023, up by 7.5% compared to 2022, according to the Apparel Impact Institute.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 5, 2025

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

Semiconductor industry faces water, sustainability challenges

The boom in chip manufacturing has also increased demand for ultrapure water. Fabrication plant operators are investing in ways to mitigate water usage, but are still reclaiming a small percentage of it in their operations.

By Michelle No • Aug. 5, 2025

State finance officials press US asset managers to denounce ESG, climate

A coalition of 26 Republican state finance officials sent letters to executives at 25 firms, pushing them to denounce climate and net-zero commitments.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 4, 2025

Advances in ‘green steel’ production could stall under the Trump administration

Federal efforts to lower emissions in steel manufacturing — the world’s largest industrial carbon emitter — are now in question, prompting steel giant Cleveland-Cliffs to drop a furnace project.

By Austyn Gaffney • Aug. 4, 2025

NYPA’s updated renewables plan would more than double capacity to 7 GW

The New York Power Authority’s draft plan includes new renewable and energy storage projects totaling more than 3.8 GW.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2025

Barclays exits Net-Zero Banking Alliance, follows HSBC

The British bank has become the latest to depart NZBA, trailing behind HSBC and other major financial institutions who have also left the group.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Aug. 4, 2025

US states have passed 11 anti-ESG bills in 2025 so far: report

A total of 106 bills opposing ESG were introduced in state legislatures this year, but few were passed, according to a report from Pleiades Strategy.

By Lauren Schenkman • July 31, 2025

Sustainserv, Palau ink tech partnership to boost ESG reporting with AI

The deal will give users access to an AI-powered platform which offers templates for reporting aligned with multiple reporting and regulatory frameworks.

By Zoya Mirza • July 31, 2025

CleanCapital acquires 64-project solar portfolio from Greenbacker

The deal for 51.2 megawatts of operational solar systems will expand CleanCapital’s portfolio to include more than 350 solar and energy storage projects.

By Lamar Johnson • July 30, 2025

EPA aims to revoke ‘endangerment finding’ underpinning power, auto sector climate regs

The effort to end greenhouse gas-related rules that address climate change will likely face "significant legal pushback,” according to research firm Capstone.

By Ethan Howland • July 30, 2025

ISS, Glass Lewis sue Texas AG over state’s newest anti-ESG law

The nation’s top two proxy advisory firms are seeking a preliminary injunction to stop a Texas law targeting such firms from taking effect in September.

By Lamar Johnson • July 29, 2025

Solar continues to dominate new power generation ... for now

The United States added about 12 GW of generating resources between January and April of this year, mostly from solar, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Meris Lutz • July 29, 2025

Voluntary sustainable packaging goals are on the way out, Gartner says

Companies are aligning their sustainability strategies with emerging legislation, such as EPR laws, according to the consulting firm. Adapting now can have cost advantages down the line.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2025

Trump’s SEC distances itself from Biden-era ESG, climate rulemaking

The Securities and Exchange Commission has looked to withdraw proposed ESG regulations introduced during the previous administration or stop defending them in court.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Updated May 7, 2026

Data centers seek flexible power solutions for resilience, sustainability

Flexible battery or generator solutions can help data centers power up faster, reduce grid impacts and keep their owners’ sustainability goals within reach, experts say.

By Brian Martucci • July 25, 2025

SEC declines to confirm whether climate disclosure rule will be upheld if it survives litigation

The agency told an appeals court it “does not intend to review or reconsider” the rule but did not confirm whether it would enforce it if legal challenges against the rule fail.

By Zoya Mirza • July 25, 2025

Meta leans on $900M Enbridge solar investment to power Texas data centers

The tech and social media conglomerate will purchase 100% of the power generated by the 600 megawatt Texas solar plant owned by the Canada-based energy developer.

By Lamar Johnson • July 24, 2025

Trump’s big bill is ‘tough but constructive’ for renewables: NextEra

Analysts on the call were skeptical of NextEra’s claims that the company could avoid losing tax credits for its projects.

By Emma Penrod • July 24, 2025

OBBB signing creates ‘compelling event’ for corporate solar initiatives: Redaptive CEO

Companies should move forward with solar plans now or it will "be very hard for them to commence implementation in time” for the law's altered tax credits, Arvin Vohra said.

By Lamar Johnson • July 23, 2025

Trump wants to use AI to prevent wildfires. Utilities are trying. Will it work?

The president wants to remake wildfire policy with an increased emphasis on technology and a new, consolidated federal wildland fire service. Experts have mixed reactions.

By Emma Penrod • July 23, 2025

SBTi unveils final net-zero standard for financial institutions

The Science Based Targets initiative’s FINZ framework is the first to guide the sector through the net-zero journey, including setting both near- and long-term portfolio targets.

By Lamar Johnson • July 22, 2025

Berlin Packaging details progress toward SBTi-validated targets

The global packaging supplier cited innovation in biomaterials and refill systems among the efforts driving growth and sustainability.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 22, 2025

Circularity in fashion is ‘mainstream’ but progress slowing: report

The 2025 Circular Fashion Index from Kearney found that a lack of a clear business case for circularity is holding up efforts.

By Laurel Deppen • July 22, 2025

Mastercard reports declining emissions and rising revenue for second straight year

The global payments company also surpassed and remains “on track” to hit interim 2025 emissions reductions targets.

By Lamar Johnson • July 21, 2025