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

SEC rules Disney, Apple can’t dodge AI shareholder proposals

The entertainment and tech conglomerates must vote on the AFL-CIO’s request for the companies to disclose their AI standards, setting the stage for more AI votes this proxy season.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 8, 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

Wyoming to require disclosure of the use of social investment factors

The secretary of state adopted the rule because of ongoing concerns about ESG strategies negatively affecting state industries like coal and agriculture.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 20, 2023

How IBM’s Sustainability Accelerator’s latest cohort is tackling water management

IBM Sustainability and Social Innovation Leader Michael Jacobs talks about the social impact program’s goals and how it uses its technology to improve environmental issues in vulnerable communities.

By Lamar Johnson • 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

Donuts and do nots: Krispy Kreme’s first ESG report reveals carbon emissions spike

The company said it achieved carbon neutrality in some global operations through carbon offsets, despite a jump in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions overall.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 18, 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

Democratic senators press Gensler to expedite release of human capital disclosure rule

The updated rule — which requires companies to report on employee compensation, benefits, turnover data and more — is now slated for release in April 2024.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 15, 2023

Nuns take on big guns, sue Smith & Wesson board over AR-15 sales

Environmental law professor Victor Flatt said he expects to see more derivative suits filed over environmental, social and governance factors going forward.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 11, 2023

Lidl US’s first corporate social responsibility report outlines a dozen top goals for the company

The discounter said it aims to narrow its gender pay gap as well as reduce scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 8, 2023

The biggest food sustainability pledges at COP28, from Bezos to JBS

Food companies commit millions of dollars to tackle methane and advance regenerative agriculture, while governments prioritize farming in climate action plans. Here are the highlights from the U.N. climate summit in Dubai.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 7, 2023

Marriott works with Google to make its events more neuroinclusive for attendees

Large-scale events hosted by the hotel chain will now have accessibility measures like quiet rooms and real-time captioning to accommodate attendees in the neurodivergent community.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 5, 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

Over 130 countries sign COP28 pledge to integrate food into climate action

Notably absent from the list of signatories is India, which has said it will refuse to sign on to any agreement that could compromise food security.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 4, 2023

DEI top priority for Coty as it expands global parental leave policy

The cosmetics and fragrance brand also said it had achieved its 2022 pay equity goal and has a gender pay equity gap of less than 2% across all its global management.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 1, 2023

3M, other chemical manufacturers score win in PFAS case

The Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati found the plaintiff could not tie the “forever” chemicals in his blood to the 10 named defendants.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 29, 2023

Bloomberg tool to map data based on UN Sustainable Development Goals

The company said the enterprise tool is the first to allow investors to assess how corporations are impacting the UN’s 2030 agenda.

By Lamar Johnson • 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

Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance

The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 22, 2023

Garments burned for fuel in Cambodia factories causing health and environmental issues

Waste from 19 companies including Adidas, Gap and Lululemon has been identified by the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights.

By Lara Ewen • Nov. 21, 2023

Verizon launches annual industry wide climate risk survey

The telecommunications provider’s move to expand its risk analysis comes in the wake of an environmental and health scandal earlier this year.

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