Trump freezes Inflation Reduction Act funding

The White House later issued a memo to clarify the funding pause, specifying that it pertains only to aspects of the law mentioned in Section 2 of the executive order.

By Kate Magill • Jan. 24, 2025

Trump orders agencies to target private-sector DEI

In a Tuesday executive order, President Trump asked members of his administration to develop a strategic enforcement plan to deter “illegal” DEI programs and principles.

By Emilie Shumway • Jan. 23, 2025

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

BlackRock and Tennessee reach settlement on ESG suit

“We’re pleased to resolve this matter,” a BlackRock spokesperson told ESG Dive. The agreement dismisses the state’s 2023 lawsuit and does not find that the investment firm violated any laws.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 22, 2025

Trump executive orders halt wind development, declare energy emergency

The orders pause wind lease sales and permitting on federal lands while taking steps to accelerate other forms of energy production.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 22, 2025

Trump pulls US from Paris Agreement — again — in packed day one slate

The president’s executive order freezes all funding related to the 2015 global climate treaty and also rescinds the nation’s International Climate Finance plan.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 21, 2025

Trump executive orders torch Biden’s DEI initiatives

The 47th president promptly axed federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs after repeatedly promising to do so on the campaign trail.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 21, 2025

Biden orders Energy, Defense departments to lease sites for AI data centers, clean energy generation

The executive order calls for using “categorical exclusions” to rapidly site data centers and power generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2025

The dual mandate: how CSOs and CFOs are tackling the regulatory and digital evolution in 2025

In the year ahead, chief sustainability officers and chief financial officers must combine digital sustainability leadership with financial discipline to thrive in a new low-carbon economy.

By Mandi McReynolds and Jill Klindt • Jan. 16, 2025

Federal judge rules against American Airlines in 401(k) ESG lawsuit

A judge ruled the airline violated its fiduciary duty to loyalty through its retirement plan management, though experts say “the bar is being set really low for what's a violation.”

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 15, 2025

Will the success of Biden’s clean energy policies impede Trump’s agenda?

Because of the Inflation Reduction Act's success across the country, Trump may encounter obstacles in his attempt to undo it, including opposition from members of his own party.

By Kenneth Irvin and Ogemdi Maduike • Jan. 14, 2025

ESG tops in-house counsel litigation concerns

Organizations bringing lawsuits are finding more ways to tie company actions to impacts, a report finds.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 13, 2025

Treasury finalizes guidance for IRA’s tech neutral, clean electricity tax credits

They’re “the most important clean energy tax credits ever enacted,” said Brad Townsend, vice president of policy and outreach at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. 

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 10, 2025

5 ESG trends sustainability professionals should monitor in 2025

Upcoming leadership changes in the White House and Congress are expected to create a more adversarial stance on ESG and climate issues in 2025.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Jan. 9, 2025

Biden bans most new offshore oil and drilling in clean energy push

President-elect Donald Trump vowed on Monday to undo the executive order that applies to more than 625 million acres of federal coastline.

By Jennifer Goodman , Julie Strupp • Jan. 8, 2025

Final 45V hydrogen tax credit guidance draws mixed response

While hydrogen industry leaders generally welcomed the final rule’s increased flexibility, some said the complicated tax credit guidelines will stymie industry growth.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 7, 2025

Big Oil urges Supreme Court to weigh in on Honolulu climate case

The judges will determine whether to take up the oil giant's appeal during a Jan. 10 conference.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 6, 2025

EPA issues permits for California carbon capture and storage facility

Amid local concerns about the health risks the facility could pose, an EPA official said she believes the permits are “protective of the public and the environment.”

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 6, 2025

Sustainability profession at ‘crossroads’ amid regulation, compliance headwinds: Trellis

Compliance is becoming a bigger part of a sustainability executive’s role, coupled with greater oversight from legal and CFO teams, according to the research firm.

By Suman Bhattacharyya • Jan. 2, 2025

Nostromo Energy receives $305M conditional commitment from DOE for thermal energy storage system

If finalized, the loan will support up to 193 IceBrick installations in commercial buildings across California, scaling the ice-based system’s integration with virtual power plants, the company says.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 20, 2024

EPA grants California waivers for truck, car emissions rules

Opponents to the rules expect the waivers will be short lived with a change in administration coming in January.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 20, 2024

White House targets 61-66% GHG reductions by 2035

“Broad participation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of emissions reduction measures will play an important role in reaching the target,” the White House said.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 19, 2024

PG&E gets $15B from DOE’s loan office for hydropower, battery buildout

The gas and electric utility company expects the deal to close before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 18, 2024

More than 70 investors have left Climate Action 100+ since GOP probe: House Judiciary

The disclosure was made in an interim report that alleges climate coalitions developed a playbook to push “disfavored” companies towards net-zero.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 17, 2024

DOL kills apprenticeship rule aimed to increase DEI, raise labor standards

Lawmakers and business groups objected to the burden the rule might place on small businesses and expressed concerns regarding its diversity proposals.

By Kathryn Moody • Dec. 17, 2024

Texas AG sues 3M, DuPont over PFAS-linked products

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleged that the companies marketed products containing the forever chemicals as safe, despite knowing of potential harms for over 50 years.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 16, 2024