The hospitality industry’s gender pay gap is ‘structural,’ analysis finds

Progress on the pay gap has generally stalled, various reports indicate, and it is particularly notable in food service.

By Kathryn Moody • March 31, 2026

GRI proposes new standards on pollution, incident reporting

The global sustainability standard setter is seeking public feedback on its air pollution, soil pollution and critical incidents standards by June 8.

By Lamar Johnson • March 30, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

The landscape for ESG continues to shift, as U.S. exits from major climate agreements and organizations are juxtaposed with states forging ahead with their own climate disclosure laws.

By ESG Dive staff

Trump order directs federal contractors to dump DEI — or risk canceled contracts

Departments and agencies have until April 25 to insert a clause in their contracts that requires contractors and subcontractors to not engage in “racially discriminatory DEI activities.”

By Emilie Shumway • March 30, 2026

CFOs don’t expect large AI labor impact this year: report

Though CFOs expect AI to affect their teams’ overall composition, current investments in the technology remain focused on bolstering productivity rather than cost reduction, a National Bureau of Economic Research survey found.

By Grace Noto • March 26, 2026

EPA proposes weakening emission regulations for cancer-causing gas

The proposal would relax standards for facilities that use ethylene oxide to sterilize medical devices.

By Elise Reuter • March 17, 2026

AI trailed DEI, immigration in terms of 2025 compliance impact, employers say

The combination of regulatory and economic uncertainty prompted more than one-third of employers in a Littler survey to reduce headcount within the past year.

By Ryan Golden • March 16, 2026

Trump’s anti-DEI orders stand for now, but future challenges can’t be ruled out

The White House is emboldened to act “aggressively,” making it important for employers to audit their DEI programs, management-side attorneys say.

By Ryan Golden • March 5, 2026

EEOC warns Fortune 500 to ‘reject identity politics’ in anti-DEI push

A letter from EEOC underscores the Trump administration’s stance on “unlawful discrimination” related to diversity, equity and inclusion at work.

By Ginger Christ • Feb. 27, 2026

Trump touts ‘we ended DEI’ in State of the Union

The president’s declaration follows a yearlong attack on DEI during which some employers rolled back their initiatives, while others stayed the course.

By Kate Tornone • Feb. 26, 2026

Food, beverage companies lagging on addressing forced labor risks: report

Despite widespread commitments to end forced labor across their supply chains, food and beverage companies rarely implement the transparency and labor practices that prevent it, a new report finds.

By Lauren Schenkman • Feb. 23, 2026

EPA sued over rescission of greenhouse gas endangerment finding

Several groups are fighting the rollback of the 2009 finding, which determined that climate pollution threatens public health and welfare. The finding provided a legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

By Jeffrey Kinney • Feb. 20, 2026

Black women employment sees one of its sharpest annual declines in past 25 years

The months ahead might provide clearer answers as to whether the losses were “casualties of anti-equity backlash in action,” EPI researchers said.

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 19, 2026

Trump secures legal victory on anti-DEI directives

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals let stand two executive orders that target diversity, equity inclusion.

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 12, 2026

Legal group claims victory after EEOC ‘retreated’ on law firm DEI letters

Most of the 20 major law firms that received letters declined to provide the requested information, and the agency said it “considers the matter of responding to those letters closed.”

By Emilie Shumway • Feb. 11, 2026

How sustainable investors should navigate AI’s ESG risks: Nuveen

The report walks sustainable investors through the environmental, social and governance implications of artificial intelligence investments, along with the opportunities.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 10, 2026

Nike among the first targeted by EEOC for DEI activity

The retail giant called the commission’s attempt to enforce an administrative subpoena Wednesday a “surprising and unusual escalation.”

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 5, 2026

FTC fires warning shot at law firms that pursued DEI certification

Under President Donald Trump, the agency has said it will target “collusion or unlawful coordination on DEI metrics” that diminishes labor competition.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 3, 2026

Target, Best Buy CEOs sign letter calling for ‘deescalation of tensions’ in Minnesota

Michael Fiddelke joined about 60 other CEOs, including Best Buy's Corie Barry, in signing a letter about "recent challenges" in the state.

By Dani James • Jan. 27, 2026

Most companies are staying the course on ESG — just talking about it less

While companies have increasingly downplayed or avoided announcing their sustainability efforts, experts say they “remain on the same trajectory.”

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 22, 2026

1 year into Trump 2.0, HR professionals are ‘caught in the middle’ of the DEI debate

As the White House and EEOC solidify their anti-DEI stances, here are a few things HR can keep in mind.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 22, 2026

Gender pay gap in healthcare still exists, analysis shows

Despite being overrepresented in the field, women in healthcare are still paid less than their male peers, according to Premier Law Group data analysis.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 20, 2026

AI, tech expand career options for women in supply chain

Emerging technologies require new processes and operating models, creating a “huge opportunity” for women in the sector, says Berenice Vettore, global chief quality officer at The Estée Lauder Cos.

By Kelly Stroh • Jan. 15, 2026

eBay unveils climate transition plan to reach 2045 net-zero target

The transition plan comes almost a year after the e-commerce giant had its net-zero and emissions reduction goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 14, 2026

VC firm Superorganism raises over $25M to back biodiversity startups

The venture capital firm will look to expand its portfolio from 20 startups to 35 through its debut fund, its co-founders told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 13, 2026

Trump pulls US from key climate treaty, 65 other global organizations

The U.S. will exit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and several other global bodies focused on climate, energy, sustainable development and gender equality.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 9, 2026