Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft initiative looks to boost sustainable data center tech

The initiative is backed by nonprofit investor Elemental Impact and also includes the Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy Discovery, Salesforce and a philanthropic office founded by a Walmart heir.

By Lamar Johnson • May 29, 2026

How data center demand can accelerate climate tech deployment

As AI and data center build out continues to scale, there are three principles worth getting right, according to the executive director of the Carbon Business Council.

By Ben Rubin • May 29, 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

Data center firm DigitalBridge in $1.1B deal to buy ArcLight

The deal reflects the “convergence of power, AI and digital infrastructure,” the companies said. ArcLight owned about 20.8 gigawatts as of June.

By Ethan Howland • May 28, 2026

North Carolina sues EV maker VinFast over unbuilt factory

The state is looking to acquire the megasite of a proposed automotive and battery facility and protect taxpayer money tied to the delayed $3 billion project.

By Nathan Owens • May 28, 2026

Newsom signs order focused on AI’s workforce impacts

The executive order directs state agencies to evaluate a range of approaches, including “safety-net” options for displaced workers.

By Alexei Alexis • May 27, 2026

Nearly 70 fashion and textile orgs ask governments to support resale and repair

While circular business models are better for the environment, voluntary business action won’t be enough to drive the industry in this direction, said nonprofit the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which spearheaded the initiative.

By Lauren Schenkman • May 26, 2026

Meta, Enbridge to build solar, storage for Wyoming data centers

Enbridge expects to invest $1.2 billion into the project's construction, with 365 megawatts of solar and 200 MW of battery capacity it anticipates will enter service by the end of 2027.

By Diana DiGangi • May 22, 2026

Microsoft buys first carbon credits since reportedly pausing purchases

The tech giant will purchase 650,000 metric tons of removals over seven years from biogas producer BioCirc, after reports last month that it had paused carbon removal purchasing.

By Lamar Johnson • May 21, 2026

Hawaiian Airlines electrifies Honolulu ground fleet to cut emissions

The airline will replace 116 diesel and propane-powered ground support vehicles with lithium battery-powered baggage tractors, belt loaders and aircraft pushback tractors.

By Lamar Johnson • May 20, 2026

Google, Blackstone back AI infrastructure venture to support data center demand

The private equity firm will invest $5 billion in a new AI-focused company offering data center capacity. The venture expects to bring 500 MW of capacity online by 2027.

By Lamar Johnson • May 19, 2026

DOJ may intervene in NAACP lawsuit over xAI’s data center gas turbines

It is “the policy of the United States to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance,” a deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice wrote in a court notice suggesting it might intervene.

By Diana DiGangi • May 19, 2026

Q1 saw net loss of 5,900 renewable energy manufacturing jobs: EDF report

The Environmental Defense Fund cited $1.4 billion in canceled renewable energy investments stemming from federal policy shifts around EVs, renewable energy and tailpipe emissions. 

By Jeffrey Kinney • May 18, 2026

ADM partners with pet food brand to scale regenerative agriculture

The program with Hill’s Pet Nutrition targets 16,000 acres of U.S. corn and soybean fields for regenerative practices to expand the practice into the pet food supply chain.

By Lamar Johnson • May 15, 2026

Crux gets $500M debt facility for clean energy investments

The company said it plans to use the funding to finance “tax-driven investments,” including “hybrid tax equity, accelerating the deployment of clean energy.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 15, 2026

Coal-based steelmaking outpaces the industry’s low-emissions transition

Electric arc furnaces grew by 1% over the past year to comprise 34% of global capacity, as steelmakers invest in existing blast furnaces, the Global Energy Monitor found.

By Nathan Owens • May 14, 2026

Bill Gates-backed geothermal developer Fervo raises $1.89B in IPO

Fervo Energy CEO Tim Latimer rang Nasdaq’s opening bell Wednesday and said the company has “proven that geothermal deserves a spot among the major energy players.”

By Lamar Johnson • May 13, 2026

Corporate clean energy demand remains ‘extremely strong’: CEBA CEO

Despite tax incentive rollbacks in 2025, the pace of new clean energy procurement is “accelerating,” the Corporate Energy Buyers Association’s CEO told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • May 12, 2026

AI helps firms with efficiency, but most don’t trust it to drive growth

Overcoming today’s weighty business challenges demands a re-assessment of automation’s cutting edge, EY counsels.

By David McCann • May 11, 2026

Pandora to add carbon footprint labeling for lab-grown diamonds

The jewelry brand’s CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier said the new labeling is a response to increased consumer demand for sustainability.

By Zoya Mirza • May 8, 2026

Meta, EDP Renewables ink PPA for 250-MW solar project

This is the third such deal between EDP Renewables and Meta, bringing the total procured energy between the two companies to 545 MW.

By Diana DiGangi • May 8, 2026

‘Energy security’ drives Schneider Electric growth: CEO

Revenue jumped in part due to the AI boom, while geopolitical uncertainty boosted the outlook for electrified, digitized building systems, executives said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call. 

By Brian Martucci • May 5, 2026

2 more offshore wind projects scrapped under Trump administration pressure

The government said Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind have “agreed to voluntarily end their offshore wind leases.” EDP, a Portuguese company with stakes in both projects, said it has “agreed to settle imminent claims.”

By Meris Lutz • May 4, 2026

PepsiCo inks 10-year renewable energy deal to cut emissions across Europe

The food and beverage giant’s virtual power purchase agreement with Statkraft is expected to reduce 32,000 metric tons of its carbon dioxide emissions annually.

By Zoya Mirza • May 1, 2026

The US wants to shore up critical mineral supplies. A new tool aims to measure it.

With few options to assess how critical minerals are diverted from disposal, e-Stewards and Bloom ESG aim to offer granular data.

By Megan Quinn • May 1, 2026

Climate tech startup Voltpost nabs DC grant to expand public EV charging: Exclusive

A company retrofitting lamp posts and utility poles with electric vehicle chargers was one of three companies awarded a grant to expand public EV charging in the nation’s capital.

By Lamar Johnson • April 30, 2026