Goldman Sachs to liquidate Paris-aligned climate ETF in new year

The fund closure bookends a year of contraction for the sustainable funds market, though the financial services firm said the move is not indicative of its broader positions.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 15, 2023

Clean energy developer energyRe raises $1.2B for expansion

The company said it will use the new capital to expand its renewable energy portfolio and advance its goals of decarbonizing cities in the U.S.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 14, 2023

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

Microsoft signs multiyear carbon removal agreement with Norwegian startup

The partnership with Inherit Carbon Solutions will help the software systems company work toward its goals of becoming carbon negative by 2030.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 14, 2023

House panel to subpoena BlackRock, State Street on ESG practices

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan will subpoena four firms for more answers as to whether the companies’ climate-related efforts violate federal antitrust laws, Bloomberg reported.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Dec. 14, 2023

Arizona’s chief utility regulator bashes ESG, says it’s not a factor when weighing utility plans

Solar and wind resources may be cheaper, but the head of the Arizona Corporation Commission said fossil fuels “will continue to play a critical role in the delivery of reliable, affordable power.”

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2023

Companies setting their own carbon prices without global standard: Reuters

The new analysis from the Climate Disclosure Project has found companies’ internal carbon prices range anywhere from under $1 to $1,600 per metric ton of carbon emissions.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 13, 2023

Here’s the UN’s roadmap for agriculture to reach net-zero emissions

A landmark report released at COP28 says wholesale changes to production practices and diets will be needed to keep temperatures in check while ensuring food security needs are met.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 13, 2023

Landmark COP28 agreement calls for ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels

Though the final agreement is a step forward from a previous draft that scrapped the demand to “phase out” fossil fuels, its text contains ambiguous language on shifting away from oil and gas.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 13, 2023

Vanguard, Arjuna Capital issued House Judiciary subpoenas over ESG probe

The committee is seeking information from the two asset management firms for its investigation into whether industry climate alliances violate antitrust law.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 12, 2023

COP28: Call to ‘phase out’ fossil fuels gets phased out in latest draft text

The fourth iteration of the agreement dropped language calling for the future elimination of fossil fuels, a move climate activists are labeling as a concession to petrostates.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 12, 2023

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, IFC unveil plans for future green building certification

At the COP28 summit in Dubai, the organizations said they will use the new certification to measure progress toward SHA’s “Net Positive Hospitality” initiative.

By Noelle Mateer • Dec. 12, 2023

OPEC head urges members to reject fossil fuel phase out proposal at COP28

The secretary general of the oil cartel labeled plans to curb fossil fuels as “politically motivated campaigns” that put “people’s prosperity and future at risk,” in a letter sent to member states.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 11, 2023

Toyota’s carbon footprint rises despite emissions-curbing initiatives

The car manufacturer’s scope 1 and scope 2 emissions saw an increase from levels recorded last year, even as the company aims to be carbon neutral by 2035 across its North America operations.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 8, 2023

Gensler: EU regulations would take precedence without SEC climate rule

The Securities and Exchange Commission will talk with its European counterparts on using its rule as a substitute for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 8, 2023

Ahold Delhaize names new chief sustainability officer

The Dutch grocer has tapped Alex Holt of Woolworths Group to fill the role ahead of Jan Ernst de Groot’s retirement.  

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 7, 2023

UN report proposes measures to slash up to 96% of cooling emissions by 2050

Passive cooling, higher energy efficiency standards and a quicker phasedown of climate-warming refrigerants could save $1 trillion by 2050, according to the report released during COP28.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 7, 2023

Bill Gates-backed sustainable energy firm commits $75M to e-fuels company Infinium

Project Roadrunner will also collaborate with American Airlines to produce sustainable aviation fuel and other low-carbon fuels.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 7, 2023

Final SEC climate disclosure rule pushed to April 2024

The long-awaited timing update comes via the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda for next year, which also unveiled new timetables for other ESG-related proposals.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 7, 2023

The biggest food sustainability pledges at COP28, from Bezos to JBS

Food companies commit millions of dollars to tackle methane and advance regenerative agriculture, while governments prioritize farming in climate action plans. Here are the highlights from the U.N. climate summit in Dubai.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 7, 2023

COP28 Finance Day rundown: US pledges $3B to Green Climate Fund, think tank launches

The United States’ contribution is part of a record funding round for the GCF and one of more than 40 pledges on the day.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 6, 2023

COP28 draft text reveals fate of fossil fuels, from ‘phase out’ to no action

Though the draft agreement proposes reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuels, some negotiators are leaning toward having no restrictions on heavy emissions-emitting products at all.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 6, 2023

UN, Microsoft team up to create AI platform and global climate data hub

The tech company’s tools aim to help UNFCCC and its member states plot carbon reduction strategies with simulations, benchmarks and data visualizations.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 5, 2023

Disney says ESG policies could cut into profits

Oklahoma’s state treasurer said the filing proves taking environmental, social and governance factors into account diminishes shareholder returns.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 4, 2023

Democratic lawmakers call for urgent action on climate finance and fossil fuel phase-out

The letter, signed by 34 Democrats, said the U.S. has failed to adhere to its climate action commitments and must halt all public financing of international fossil fuel projects.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 4, 2023

Over 130 countries sign COP28 pledge to integrate food into climate action

Notably absent from the list of signatories is India, which has said it will refuse to sign on to any agreement that could compromise food security.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 4, 2023