Biodiversity emerges as an ESG priority in packaging, but measurement could be a challenge

As international standards evolve, fiber-based packaging companies are in the spotlight. Smurfit Kappa, WestRock, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Canopy Planet weigh in on what the increased focus means for the industry.

By April Reese • Feb. 21, 2024

Push for climate policy and adaptation lead concerns at GreenBiz24

More than 2,500 sustainability professionals flocked to Phoenix for the GreenBiz24 conference to hear the industry’s latest insights.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 21, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

This year has shaped up to be a formative one for ESG, both on the regulatory and financial front, with the SEC’s climate disclosure rule and the battle over shareholder rights and proposal approvals.

By ESG Dive staff

Exclusive: Carbon management platform Gravity Climate joins ESG Data Convergence Initiative

“The world of private equity has a massive opportunity to influence so many different companies that don't necessarily receive direct pressure,” Gravity Climate’s CEO told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 20, 2024

BlackRock expands voting choice program to individual investors

The asset manager will now allow over 3 million additional investors to take control of their power in the proxy vote process.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 16, 2024

Companies struggle with decarbonization due to internal governance, data issues

Most organizations are committed to decarbonization, but a siloed approach, bureaucracy and data challenges stand in the way of success, an Engie Impact report says.

By Suman Bhattacharyya • Feb. 16, 2024

Lululemon accused of greenwashing in anti-competition complaint

Advocacy organization Stand.earth is asking the Competition Bureau Canada to investigate the athletic wear company’s conduct over environmental claims.

By Laurel Deppen • Feb. 16, 2024

JPMorgan, State Street exit Climate Action 100+ coalition

BlackRock also revised its membership after the coalition announced its “phase 2” requirements that signatories enhance their corporate disclosure and implement climate transition plans.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 15, 2024

GreenBiz24: US companies seek to understand EU CRSD impact

While the process may be complex, it is important for companies to recognize they “are not starting from scratch,” Nado Saab, Mondelēz International’s director of ESG reporting told attendees.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 15, 2024

Sustainability experts called to ‘LEAD’ a push for climate policy at GreenBiz24

Bill Weihl, former head of sustainability at Google and Facebook, said industry professionals need to urge their companies to advocate for additional green policies.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 13, 2024

FirstEnergy increases 5-year spending plan 44%, to $26B, drops 2030 carbon goal

The company abandoned its plan to cut carbon emissions 30% below 2019 levels by 2030 amid tightening power supplies in the PJM Interconnection, but it still intends to be net carbon neutral by 2050.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 13, 2024

Barclays ceases direct funding of new fossil fuel projects

The London-based bank will also require all its portfolio energy companies to report their scoped emissions reductions targets and any expansion plans by Jan. 1, 2025.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 12, 2024

Cost cutbacks to go hand-in-hand with emissions reduction strategy: USPS

The postal service said it plans to slash scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% and scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030, compared to a 2021 baseline.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 9, 2024

Shell rebrands climate tech company Studio X as Onward, eyes net-zero economy

The updated energy venture falls in line with the oil major’s goal to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 8, 2024

ESG to be a ‘major’ M&A driver in 2024: Norton Rose Fulbright

The vice president of a U.S. corporation warned in the report that companies will cancel acquisition deals if “critical ESG information is not provided or unavailable.”

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 7, 2024

Arjuna Capital, Follow This pull Exxon climate proposal after lawsuit

Natasha Lamb, Arjuna Capital’s chief investment officer, warned the lawsuit will silence investors concerned about climate risks.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 5, 2024

Legal chiefs, diversity officers view DEI differently, survey finds

“The lack of alignment in the C-suite could pose new challenges for organizations in communicating and acting on their IE&D-related positions and values,” the Littler report said.

By Lyle Moran • Feb. 2, 2024

Global standard-setter proposes ethics guidelines to curb greenwashing risks

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants prepared a pair of ethics standards to help sustainability experts foster trust.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 31, 2024

Ikea makes strides in reducing carbon footprint, attributes progress to clean energy initiatives

The home furnishings retailer said its greenhouse gas emissions declined by 11.5% from the previous year and it has updated its climate strategy to reach net-zero by 2050.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 31, 2024

Extreme weather and climate regulations are 2024’s top supply chain risks: Everstream

Wildfires, rains and droughts could cause shipping delays, while agricultural commodities might face shortages from weather and other factors, the analytics firm said.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 31, 2024

A dozen state GOP agriculture heads probe Net Zero Banking Alliance members’ climate targets

None of the six banks — which include JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi — have published climate targets for the sector, according to their websites.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 30, 2024

The ESG industry outlook on 2024: Climate disclosure rules, proxy voting and more

The upcoming year will determine how national and international regulation, shareholder rights and proposal approvals, and scope 3 reporting influence the ESG landscape.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Jan. 30, 2024

Walgreens reports spike in scope 3, points to business travel and downstream transportation

The retail pharmacy chain said it had reduced its overall carbon footprint by almost 25% compared to a 2019 baseline, despite a surge in scope 3 emissions.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 29, 2024

EU ESG due diligence directive set to take effect

Final approval of the regulatory action is expected to happen soon. When it does, U.S. companies doing $300M in EU business must show they're meeting environmental and social goals. 

By Neil D’Souza • Jan. 29, 2024

HSBC launches first net-zero transition plan in a move to slash emissions

The bank’s plan to meet climate objectives comes against a backdrop of financial institutions facing pressure to address climate risk and sever ties with the fossil fuel industry.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 26, 2024

Global Reporting Initiative updates biodiversity reporting standards

The standard for the first time includes increased transparency on impacts through the supply chain, as biodiversity loss is affecting every region of the world.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 26, 2024