Tech industry works to meet AI’s energy demands as ESG use cases grow

“I don't think we're going to ever capture the opportunities of AI if we don't think about it in a responsible way,” Cisco Chief Sustainability Officer Mary de Wysocki told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 24, 2025

Northern Trust AM exits Climate Action 100+, Net-Zero Asset Managers initiative

The departure is the latest in Wall Street’s continued exodus from climate-focused alliances and groups as sector scrutiny heats up under the new Trump administration.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 24, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of the clean energy transition in 2024

This year saw a large volume of initiatives and investments from corporations focused on the clean energy transition — alongside a handful of reversions on carbon reduction goals.

By ESG Dive staff

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

Judge dismisses New York City’s lawsuit against Big Oil

A state judge ruled that NYC had failed to demonstrate that ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and the American Petroleum Institute had deceived consumers about the climate impact of their fossil fuel products.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 23, 2025

Investor interest in solar, storage cools amid Trump administration uncertainty

Venture capital investment dropped 36% in 2024 for solar companies and 60% in energy storage, according to Mercom Capital Group.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 23, 2025

JLL establishes energy advisory and sustainability practice

The global real estate services company will now provide technical expertise on energy sourcing, efficiency and end-use optimization across the company’s business lines.

By Joe Burns • 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

Federal Reserve exits climate-focused central bank coalition ahead of Trump’s inauguration

The U.S. central bank said the work of the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System has “broadened in scope” and no longer falls within its “statutory mandate.”

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 21, 2025

Google inks pair of ‘largest biochar carbon removal deals to date’

“The magnitude of these Google purchases speak to the importance of biochar as a carbon removal tool,” according to the CEO of Varaha, one of the companies involved.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 17, 2025

O-I Glass secures DOE funding as it begins Ohio decarbonization project

The glass packaging company will bring together energy efficiency technologies to upgrade furnace infrastructure, aiming to reduce carbon intensity by as much as 40%.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 17, 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

Supreme Court denies Big Oil’s bid to toss Honolulu climate case

Justices denied petitions put forward by Sunoco LP and Shell that asked for a review of a Hawaii State Supreme Court decision that allowed Honolulu’s climate lawsuit to continue.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 15, 2025

NZAM suspends all activities after BlackRock’s exit

The United Nations-backed Net-Zero Asset Managers initiative has pulled its signatories page and won’t assess their commitments while it undergoes a review.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 14, 2025

Barclays’ head of sustainability steps down as sector scrutiny heats up

Barclays’ Group Head of Sustainability Laura Barlow will leave her leadership role but continue at the bank as a senior adviser, a bank spokesperson told ESG Dive.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 14, 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

Shein unveils denim printing process designed to reduce water, energy use

The fast fashion giant said the number of products it created using the technology increased by 90% last year.

By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 13, 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

BlackRock leaves NZAM as Wall Street runs from climate groups

The nation’s largest investment manager is leaving the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, joining a broader financial institution exodus from high-profile climate alliances.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Jan. 10, 2025

Texas AG drops probe of major US banks following NZBA exodus

State Attorney General Ken Paxton said Texas will end its ongoing review of Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase following the banks’ exits from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 10, 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

Toyota Motor North America lands $4.5M DOE grant for EV battery recycling

The funding will go toward the development of an industry template for EV battery recycling.

By Larry Avila • Jan. 9, 2025