Environmental groups call on FTC to stop pair of Big Oil mergers

ExxonMobil’s and Chevron’s proposed mergers with Pioneer Natural Resources and Hess Corp., respectively, are two of the largest M&A deals in industry history and allegedly infringe on antitrust laws.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 17, 2023

The ESG battle: 4 key states shaping regulatory discourse in the US

Left-leaning California and New York and conservative-led Florida and Texas have stepped up regulatory measures to underscore ESG’s role — or lack thereof — in their jurisdictions.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Nov. 16, 2023

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

New York AG’s ‘first of its kind’ lawsuit against PepsiCo seeks plastic pollution accountability

Letitia James sued PepsiCo for allegedly “harming the public and the environment with its single-use plastic packaging.” The complaint slams PepsiCo’s “misleading” plastic reduction efforts and recycling claims.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 16, 2023

FDIC proposes adoption of Fair Hiring in Banking Act

The proposal would relax employment restrictions, eliminating the need for individuals convicted of certain minor offenses to seek approval before being able to work at federally insured institutions.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 15, 2023

Banks might dodge EU’s supply chain sustainability regulations

The proposed carveout for financial institutions would exclude them from having to submit climate transition plans.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 14, 2023

ESG and sustainability conferences to keep on your radar for 2024

Upcoming events will cover sustainable finance, corporate strategy and governance, climate change, supply chain, social impact and more.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Updated June 7, 2024

CEO-worker pay gap rising and ‘bad for business’: report

Recent research indicates CEO pay practices lead to governance issues as they spur “executive recklessness” such as mass layoffs, tax evasion and more that puts the economy at risk.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 13, 2023

ESG promises won’t help win antitrust approval, says FTC Chair

Non-statutory commitments, even those advancing social justice goals, will always be rejected as outside the bounds of the law, FTC Chair Lina Khan said in remarks.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 10, 2023

Key Republican senator drops GOP-backed carbon tariff bill

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., withdrew his support for Republican-sponsored legislation that tied international trade policy with emissions reduction goals — the first climate progressive bill to be put forward by the party.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 10, 2023

Environmental disclosure platform CDP to align with Europe’s sustainability standards

The move will help U.S. companies prepare to comply with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 10, 2023

SEC commissioner suggests ‘re-proposing’ climate risk disclosure rule

Some investors seek broader company disclosures with the aim of promoting social change rather than clarifying stock valuations, SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 9, 2023

Election results bring potential social implications for Ohio corporations

The support for reproductive rights could have companies such as Kroger and Procter & Gamble, which are headquartered in the Buckeye State, evaluating their corporate social policies.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 9, 2023

Democrats take control of Virginia legislature, clouding governor’s climate, abortion plans

The election results mean stricter emission standards enacted two years ago will be the guidepost for Virginia-based auto manufacturers beginning in 2025 and more abortion protections could be on the way for all state employers.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 9, 2023

House Republicans argue Labor Department ESG rule runs afoul of tax code

The Committee on Ways and Means’ majority raised objections to the Biden administration rule and called it a tactic to “use retirement savings to finance a political agenda.”

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 8, 2023

Texas voters approve $10B energy fund, with most going to build gas-fired power plants

The fund could allocate up to $7.2 billion for new construction or upgrades of dispatchable power generation. However, opponents called it a giveaway to fossil fuel developers.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2023

Credit union regulator proposes rule loosening hiring restrictions

The National Credit Union Administration Board aims to expand career opportunities for individuals convicted of certain minor offenses and advance financial inclusion and equity within the credit union system.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 7, 2023

Texas Comptroller adds 5 companies to divestment list for fossil fuel stance

The additions are part of a growing list of names drawn by the Lone Star state, which now mentions more than 350 investment funds and 15 companies, including BlackRock, BNP Paribas and UBS.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 6, 2023

House Judiciary subpoenas ESG, net-zero advocates alleging antitrust violations

Chair Jim Jordan subpoenaed financial coalition GFANZ and advocacy group As You Sow, whose CEO called the warrant “unfounded” and said the underlying allegations are “twisting the facts.” 

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 3, 2023

New regulations seek to expose fashion greenwashers’ true colors

In Europe, governments plan to prohibit fashion companies and other industries from making vague or misleading environmental claims, and the U.S. could soon do the same.

By Lauren Schenkman • Nov. 1, 2023

The ‘less tangible’ social data in ESG creates reporting hurdles

Social issues have historically fallen behind environmental and governance factors, a setback experts attribute to the ambiguity of what the “S” really encompasses.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 1, 2023

Bloomberg launches AI tool to help businesses navigate climate risks

The tool, launched in partnership with Riskthinking.AI, will give businesses predictive exposure data under all of the IPCC’s climate scenarios.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 31, 2023

COP28 president, energy groups urge governments to triple renewable power by 2030

A joint report released ahead of the summit outlines key steps economies can take to transition to a clean energy system and get back on track to reach the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 31, 2023

Arkansas lawmakers urged to defund DEI programs

Diversity, equity and inclusion perpetuates racial discrimination and “feelings of disenfranchisement” and “animosity,” according to a witness who testified in front of the Arkansas State Legislature last week.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 30, 2023

Republican AGs continue fight against Biden ESG rule

A coalition of 26 state attorneys general said it is willing to fight the Labor Department rule allowing ESG considerations for employee retirement plan managers all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 30, 2023

Gensler says SEC aims to avoid overreach on climate risk rule

The SEC chief has come under fire for proposing that companies release data on greenhouse gas emissions by their suppliers and customers.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 26, 2023