BlackRock buys Global Infrastructure Partners, makes $12.5B bet on infrastructure market

The asset manager cited “a movement toward decarbonization and energy security in many parts of the world” as a reason for the deal.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 16, 2024

Missouri’s bid to dismiss anti ESG-rules suit is denied

The U.S. federal judge’s decision greenlights a lawsuit challenging two of the state’s ESG rules that affect financial institutions.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 10, 2024

4 ESG trends that set the tone for 2024

It’s shaping up to be a big year for ESG with a packed SEC agenda, fights over corporate DEI efforts and shareholder rights and a focus on financing the net zero transition.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Jan. 10, 2024

World Bank launches $5B sustainable development bond

The 7-year benchmark bond will mature in January 2031 and seeks to support the financial institution’s goals to “end extreme poverty and boost prosperity.”

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 8, 2024

EU’s financial regulator: Stronger regulation needed to deter greenwashing

The European Securities and Markets Authority found negligible stock-based impacts of ESG controversies on companies, noting a lack of market-based mechanisms to prevent greenwashing. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 3, 2024

ESG to factor strongly in 2024 executive pay plans despite pushback: WTW

Environmental, social and governance strategies are “here to stay,” consultants said. But U.S. company boards are also seeking a more tailored approach.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 22, 2023

New York finalizes climate-risk guidance for financial institutions

The state said the new rules will help banking and mortgage institutions prepare for the physical and transition risks of climate change.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 22, 2023

Gen Z, millennial investor confidence slips regarding ESG investments

The number of investors under 41 years old who wanted fund managers to advocate for environmental change, even if it decreased their investment, dropped from 85% last year to 66%. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 21, 2023

EU Council reaches agreement on new ESG rating rule

The regulation is designed to increase transparency of sustainability score providers and will apply to non-European Union based companies looking to operate in the bloc.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 21, 2023

Tennessee sues BlackRock over ‘misleading’ ESG strategy

The lawsuit claims the $9.1 trillion firm misled consumers about the scope and effects of its ESG activity and released conflicting statements regarding ESG’s influence over its business decisions. 

By Anna Hrushka • Dec. 19, 2023

Banks are excluded from EU’s human rights, due diligence regulation — for now

Despite opposition to leaving financial institutions out, the final draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive only states the sector may need to comply at a later date.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 19, 2023

Navy Federal sued over alleged mortgage disparity by race

The credit union last year approved 48.5% of mortgage applications from Black borrowers, but 77.1% from White ones, CNN found. The gap drew comparisons to similar numbers from Wells Fargo in 2020.

By Dan Ennis • Dec. 19, 2023

COP28 takeaways: More than $7B mobilized for food system climate action

With the end of the U.N. climate summit, here's a final tally of some of the major financial commitments and sustainability pledges meant to transform the agricultural and food sectors. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 18, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JPMorgan, Citi, Goldman Sachs and others launch task force to scale financing for UN’s sustainable goals

The taskforce, which is spearheaded by several banks and financial institutions, will focus on helping developing economies and increasing their access to sustainable capital.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 30, 2023

IRS and Treasury propose clean energy investment tax credit updates

The proposed regulations would further define what qualifies as an ITC-eligible energy property and address Inflation Reduction Act-related wage and apprenticeship requirements.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 28, 2023

Deloitte, EY partner with tech to accelerate clients’ sustainability goals

Deloitte is linking up with IBM, while EY collaborates with AspenTech, as the two consulting firms look for software tools to help mitigate companies’ carbon footprint.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 28, 2023

NYU’s Stern calls for system overhaul in ESG ratings

Environmental, social and governance investing should center on companies’ impacts on the environment and society rather than shareholder profit, the report argues.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 27, 2023

State pensioner hits Oklahoma with lawsuit over its anti-ESG law

The plaintiff alleges the state’s Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, which blacklists financial institutions that boycott oil and gas companies, is unconstitutional and hurts beneficiaries.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023