California’s climate disclosure laws survive first legal challenge

A federal judge denied a motion for summary judgment from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which alleged the state’s climate bills — SB 253 and SB 261 — violated the First Amendment.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 12, 2024

Trump taps former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead EPA

The Trump administration will likely roll back EPA regulations affecting fossil-fuel power plants, including a carbon emissions rule, according to Michelle Bloodworth, president and CEO of America’s Power.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 12, 2024

SEC charges Invesco $17.5M for misleading ESG statements

“Companies should be straightforward with their clients and investors rather than seeking to capitalize on investing trends and buzzwords,” the acting head of SEC enforcement said.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 11, 2024

Clean energy, sustainable investors brace for second Trump presidency

Experts expect private sector work on ESG issues and the clean energy transition to continue, albeit at a slower pace, under a reelected Donald Trump.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 7, 2024

The ESG, climate rules at stake under a second Trump term

Several climate and ESG-related regulations at the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Labor are likely headed for the chopping block come January.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 7, 2024

What Trump’s reelection could mean for the IRA, offshore wind

President-elect Trump has vowed to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and stop offshore wind development, but clean energy advocates say his administration could benefit from both.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 7, 2024

SEC says funds mischaracterizing use of ESG factors

The assessment is part of a broader risk alert by the agency regarding the discrepancy between funds’ investment strategies and marketing literature.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 6, 2024

How a second Trump presidency could impact DEI, employment actions

Employers are likely to see immigration raids, limitations on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and agency chair replacements, experts at Littler predicted.

By Emilie Shumway • Nov. 6, 2024

Marsh to insure carbon credits against counterfeits, fraud

The insurance broker said the new insurance facility will help de-risk carbon credit investments and protect companies from potential “fraudsters.”

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 5, 2024

PepsiCo gets New York plastic pollution lawsuit dismissed

The development comes on the heels of Los Angeles County filing its own complaint against PepsiCo and Coca-Cola focused on public nuisance and alleged violations of unfair competition and false advertising law.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 5, 2024

SEC says Vanguard can nix human rights shareholder proposals from 2025 proxy materials

The agency agreed that two sets of the firms’ funds can exclude a proposal to provide greater transparency to ensure their investments don’t “substantially contribute to genocide.”

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 4, 2024

As US EV sales growth slows, election results could reverse or reinforce the trend

U.S. electric vehicle sales are rising, though the rate of growth has declined in the past year. The next president may continue support for purchase incentives or seek to cut the popular tax credit, say experts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2024

Election 2024: Harris, Trump present ‘diametrically opposed’ impacts on ESG

“A Harris administration would be more favorable for the interests of ESG investors whereas a Trump administration would be antagonistic,” according to Morningstar Indexes’ head of strategy.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Nov. 1, 2024

New Jersey AG accuses Republic First of redlining

The failed lender originated 6% of its home loans to residents of majority-nonwhite neighborhoods between 2018 and 2022, the state found. The state filed a claim with the FDIC seeking remediation.

By Dan Ennis • Nov. 1, 2024

SEC panel urged to back shareholder rights, proposal process

Shareholders’ rights advocates urged the agency's Investor Advisory Committee to defend the current proposal process as a “vital right of shareholders” against attempts to dilute them.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 29, 2024

California’s first carbon capture and storage facility gets local approval

The decision follows heated debate among community members about the project’s economic and health impacts.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 28, 2024

SEC slaps $4M fine on WisdomTree over greenwashing

The Securities and Exchange Commission is fining the New York-based asset manager for falsely advertising the investment strategy of three funds to have considered ESG factors.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 24, 2024

BlackRock targeted for greenwashing in ClientEarth complaint

The environmental nonprofit sent a complaint to French regulators alleging the firm is mislabeling funds as “sustainable,” despite holding $1 billion in fossil fuel investments.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Oct. 25, 2024

Most finance leaders believe sustainability targets out of reach: EY

CFOs leading companies active in the U.S. and Europe face a “fluid picture” when attempting to meet regulations for sustainability reporting, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 24, 2024

Many middle market firms in ESG ‘wait and see’ mode, RSM says

While 75% of mid-sized companies have begun preparing for new climate-related regulations, 84% of respondents said they are monitoring developments before taking further action.

By Chris Gaetano • Oct. 22, 2024

DOL, red states reprise stances on Loper Bright’s effect on ESG rule

The case is back before the U.S. district court judge whose initial dismissal in September 2023 relied on the now-overturned Chevron Doctrine.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 21, 2024

Supreme Court rejects calls to put a hold on EPA power plant carbon rule

Utilities asking the court to stay the rule included American Electric Power, Duke Energy, MidAmerican Energy, PacifiCorp and Southern Co.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2024

CFTC issues final voluntary carbon market guidance

The final guidance includes standards to ensure carbon credits are not subject to manipulation and have their contract terms monitored.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 15, 2024

Gas utility faces climate deception lawsuit by Oregon county

It's the first time a U.S. community has sued a gas utility for allegedly deceiving the public about the climate impacts of fossil fuels, advocates say.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 11, 2024

Greenwashing cases fall for first time in 6 years, but high-severity filings surge: report

“There's certainly a global undercurrent of ‘greenhushing,’ so companies are being more cautious about how they communicate,” RepRisk’s chief commercial officer said.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 10, 2024