Evolution of sustainable investing: Real versus alternative facts in finance

A former Impax Asset Management executive reflects on the politicization surrounding sustainable investment approaches and the financial costs of overlooking environmental and social risks.

By Julie Gorte • Sept. 22, 2025

Trump’s energy, climate policies could slash decarbonization pace up to 64%: report

An “incredibly dynamic policy environment and persistent non-cost barriers to clean energy deployment” make it hard to predict GHG reductions, according to Rhodium Group.

By Michael Brady • Sept. 22, 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

Schneider Electric inks carbon removal deal with Climeworks

Climeworks signed its largest portfolio agreement to date, which will deliver the energy company 31,000 tons of carbon removal credits by 2039.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 19, 2025

Ikea, Vanguard Renewables team up to turn food waste into renewable energy

The six-month pilot has launched in five Ikea locations across the U.S. and the global furniture retailer has plans to expand the program in a bid to achieve zero organic food waste by 2030.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 19, 2025

How facilities can boost ESG-friendly furniture decommission gains 91%

EPA’s waste reduction model understates emissions reductions from furniture reuse. To show a more meaningful value, facility managers should request lifecycle assessments from suppliers.

By Dale Ewing • Sept. 18, 2025

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 • Updated Sept. 19, 2025

Google inks deal to remove carbon dioxide, measure waste-generated methane emissions

The tech company will team with bio-waste removal startup Vaulted Deep to remove 50,000 tonnes of CO2 and work with carbon registry Isometric on standards to measure averted methane emissions.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 17, 2025

Slow EV infrastructure expansion out of step with rising demand: Report

More than half of Americans said lack of access to electric vehicle charging was the biggest barrier to widespread EV adoption, according to a new study.

By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 17, 2025

Mars leans on clean energy contracts to accelerate transition across supply chain

The confectionery company is teaming up with Enel on a trio of renewable purchase agreements estimated to annually generate 1.8 terawatt hours of clean energy.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 16, 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

California Gov. Newsom signs bill to expand manufacturing decarbonization projects

The law will make thermal energy storage and industrial heat pumps eligible for financial incentives under various state programs in California.

By Nathan Owens • Updated Oct. 8, 2025

EPA proposes ending the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule would eliminate required GHG emissions reporting for carbon dioxide injection sites, fuel and industrial gas suppliers and “most large facilities."

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 15, 2025

Walmart not meeting 2025, 2030 emissions goals, but remains committed to sustainability: report

The retail giant met nearly 50% of its global electricity needs through renewable energy sources and is still working toward achieving zero emissions by 2040.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 15, 2025

‘Green banks’ petition for rehearing in $14B EPA funding freeze case

A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 to uphold the EPA’s freeze on Inflation Reduction Act grants, but the plaintiffs have asked for a rehearing from the entire appeals court.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 15, 2025

SEC chair targets IFRS priorities, shares concerns on ‘prescriptive’ EU sustainability laws

Paul Atkins said the International Sustainability Standards Board’s parent organization should refocus on its accounting board and the EU should drop double materiality requirements.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 12, 2025

Danone settles 2 plastic packaging greenwashing lawsuits

Under agreements with the Earth Island Institute and the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the consumer packaged goods company will change certain marketing statements about plastic recycling and contribute funds to plastic packaging reduction efforts.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 15, 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

Mercedes-Benz, LG Energy strike $11B EV battery supply deal

The two contracts are the largest order to date for the company’s cylindrical 46-series cells, according to news media reports. 

By Eric Walz • Sept. 11, 2025

H&M to source renewable electricity from Sweden’s largest solar farm

The fast-fashion retailer will procure 95% of the renewable energy produced at Hultsfred Solar Farm, according to a 2022 agreement it signed with energy companies Neoen and Alight.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 10, 2025

13 state governors join coalition to promote EVs

The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition said it will push back against the Trump administration's policies of “putting polluters over people.”

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 10, 2025

This 4-GW renewables joint venture aims to outlast Trump administration

Two European renewable energy firms are teaming up to develop a significant portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage projects in the Western United States.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 10, 2025

Netflix inks carbon credit deal to boost afforestation across southern US

The streaming giant’s 15-year contract with the American Forest Foundation supports a project that will help landowners convert underused fields into working forests.

By Zoya Mirza • Sept. 9, 2025

PepsiCo issues first progress report on revamped packaging sustainability targets

The company surpassed the annual virgin plastic reduction goal it set in May, while inching toward a reworked long-term recycled content target.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 9, 2025

SBTi issues draft power sector net-zero standard

The Science Based Targets initiative said the power sector standards are interoperable with its revised Corporate Net-Zero Standard and is seeking feedback.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 8, 2025

3 takeaways on monitoring for greenwashing

Risks around sustainability messaging are real, with greenwashing-related legal settlements regularly reaching “the millions to tens of millions of dollars,” said a Ropes & Gray attorney during a recent webinar.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 8, 2025