BlackRock calls out state officials for ‘politicization’ of public pensions

After Republican and Democrat state and local finance officials offered dueling views on fiduciary duty, the asset manager said such “politicization of pension fund management” costs retirees.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 3, 2025

Over 30 organizations urge EU to keep banks in sight for future CSDDD compliance

A joint letter asked policymakers to protect the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive’s “review clause,” which keeps the door open to applying it to the financial sector.

By Lauren Schenkman • Sept. 3, 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

Trump administration axes $679M in offshore wind infrastructure funding

“Where possible, funding from these projects will be recompeted to address critical port upgrades and other core infrastructure needs of the United States,” said the Department of Transportation.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 3, 2025

Renewables make up 91% of the 15 GW of generation the US added in first 5 months of 2025: FERC

“Solar continues to deliver new power to the grid faster and cheaper than any other source of electricity,” said Stephanie Bosh, senior vice president of communications for the Solar Energy Industries Association.

By Meris Lutz • Sept. 2, 2025

‘Carbon neutral’ Apple Watch not actually carbon neutral, says German court

The court’s decision rested on the short-term nature of the reforestation projects Apple said it used to offset the product’s emissions.

By Lauren Schenkman • Sept. 2, 2025

Mexico’s avocado industry pledges deforestation-free exports by 2026

The move comes after investigations found illegal deforestation and water sourcing, along with violent coercion, in Mexico’s avocado region.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 28, 2025

The ‘EPR era’ brings new opportunities for packaging sustainability

Sustainability leaders from Amcor, Stonyfield and MegaFood shared some of their experiences and outlooks for redesigns during a virtual event Tuesday.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 28, 2025

The language of carbon — why words are now the frontline of climate credibility

As political scrutiny of climate commitments intensifies, how businesses communicate their decarbonization strategy and goals has emerged as central to how they are assessed.

By Ben Carr • Aug. 28, 2025

NZBA will vote to abandon membership model after industry exodus

After waves of exits by U.S., Canadian and European banks, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance said it would vote on forgoing a membership-based model and focus on establishing industry guidance.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 27, 2025

FTA seeks to eliminate environmental criteria from capital investment grant guidelines

The Federal Transit Administration requests public comment on updated guidelines that would remove the “social cost of carbon” calculation and make broader changes to the multibillion-dollar program.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 27, 2025

Packaging manufacturer PCA launches carbon capture and storage study

A ‘promising’ pilot that Packaging Corporation of America began last year ended this summer. Now, the company works toward building a full-scale facility by 2028 and expanding the technology to other sites.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 27, 2025

EU promises to ‘reduce administrative burden’ of sustainability laws on US companies

A joint statement on the new trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union also promised “flexibility” regarding import fees tied to carbon emissions.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 26, 2025

Trump administration halts work on 700-MW Revolution Wind

Developer Ørsted said the project, located in federal waters about 15 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, is about 80% complete. The company’s shares tumbled to an all-time low following the news.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 26, 2025

Daimler, Greenlane announce second EV charging corridor

The joint venture between BlackRock, Daimler Truck and NextEra Energy will enable long-haul electric trucking from Southern California.

By Alejandra Carranza • Aug. 26, 2025

CARB to propose California’s long-awaited climate-risk disclosure regulations this fall

The California Air Resources Board, tasked with implementing the rules, said at its latest public workshop that it would issue a notice of proposed rulemaking for the laws on Oct. 14.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 25, 2025

Ann Arbor’s all-electric community offers a new model for net-zero living

Veridian at County Farm stands out for its rooftop solar, heat pumps and potential community battery network. Will the local utility’s hesitation and loss of federal tax credits prevent other developers from following its lead?

By Brian Martucci • Aug. 25, 2025

Democrat finance officials push asset managers to reaffirm commitment to manage climate risks

A letter from 17 finance officials to BlackRock, Vanguard and 16 other firms seeks to counter a Republican-led letter urging firms to eschew viewing climate change as a long-term risk.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 22, 2025

Nestlé’s ‘groundbreaking’ process boosts cocoa output as climate change cuts yields

The discovery would increase the supply of the popular commodity by using 30% more of the cocoa fruit, reducing waste.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 22, 2025

Allbirds ‘remixes’ textile waste and foam scraps into new footwear collection

The brand has released two new sneakers based on reclaimed footwear foam scraps and recycled polycotton waste.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 22, 2025

Google, Kairos Power deal aims for Tennessee nuclear reactor by 2030

The agreement will provide Google with renewable energy attributes to decarbonize its data centers served by the Tennessee Valley Authority in Tennessee and Alabama.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 21, 2025

Rivian moving forward on $5B Georgia EV plant

The battery electric vehicle maker will host two events next month to mark the restart of construction in 2026. 

By Larry Avila • Aug. 21, 2025

Companies with climate targets have more than tripled since 2023: SBTi

A total of 10,949 companies worldwide now either have near-term targets or near-term and net-zero targets, or have committed to set them, according to a report by the Science-Based Targets initiative.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 21, 2025

California’s climate disclosure laws survive preliminary injunction request

The ruling means companies won’t see a reprieve from the coming deadlines in California Senate Bills 253 and 261, says Juge Gregg, partner at the law firm Crowell & Moring.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 20, 2025

Waste and recycling groups ‘disappointed’ by lack of plastics treaty

Recycling groups will monitor the next round of talks for clues on infrastructure and end-market impacts. Plastics groups will push recycling over environmentalists’ calls for plastic production caps.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2025

Energy demand, permitting top of mind at Congressional renewables expo

Speakers from industry and national labs warned of obstacles to meeting the surge in energy demand expected in the next five to 10 years at July’s Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo.

By Lauren Schenkman • Updated Aug. 22, 2025