US clean energy investments hit record-high in Q3: Rhodium

The industry saw $71 billion in investment in the quarter, as clean investments accounted for 5% of total private U.S. structure, equipment and consumer goods spending.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 22, 2024

Carbon removal developers unveil first all wind-powered direct air capture plant

Return Carbon and Verified Carbon’s “Project Concho” hub aims to remove 50,000 tons of carbon annually by 2030 and later expand this goal to 500,000 tons per year.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 22, 2024

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

Wells Fargo’s latest innovation cohort to focus on building decarbonization

Three startups were each awarded $250,000 to help tackle energy management and emissions reduction in buildings.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 21, 2024

Audit committees expand oversight to ESG, cybersecurity, AI: EY

Nearly four out of five investors said boards should demonstrate expertise in climate, cybersecurity and other risks by detailing their work to limit such hazards, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 21, 2024

Starbucks appoints former Mars sustainability exec as CSO

Marika McCauley Sine, who previously served as Mars’ global vice president of sustainability and chief sustainability officer, will oversee the coffee chain’s net-zero transition.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 20, 2024

Oil quartet including BP, Shell invest $500M in energy access, clean cooking

Equinor and Total Energies will join the companies to invest in energy and cooking solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia to help meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 20, 2024

IRS finalizes direct pay rules, increasing access to IRA’s clean energy tax credits

Direct-pay-eligible entities like local governments, public school districts, churches and hospitals will more easily be able to jointly invest in clean energy projects under rules released Tuesday.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 20, 2024

Vanguard’s updated investor proxy choice program includes anti-ESG voting option

Three new funds have been added to the program, and the firm also included an option for investors who want a “wealth-focused,” anti-ESG voting policy option.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 19, 2024

JPMorgan unveils green financing ratio following shareholder proposal

The bank said it spent $1.29 on green solutions for every dollar spent on high-carbon activities in the disclosure prompted by a proposal submitted by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated Nov. 18, 2024

New tool aims to bridge gap between organizations’ sustainability targets and outcomes

The U.S. Green Building Council's digital platform intends to help organizations meet reporting requirements and sustainability goals related to emissions, energy, water and waste.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 18, 2024

Trump picks oil services CEO Chris Wright to lead Energy Department, alarming climate groups

Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, which is engaged in lawsuits over the Labor Department's ESG rule and the Securities and Exchange Commission's climate-risk disclosure rule.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2024

The power of automation in sustainability: How AFL transformed energy management

AFL set out on a quest to streamline their processes and boost their sustainability efforts. Their search led them to EnergyCAP, and now they anticipate $304K in year one savings.

Nov. 18, 2024

American Petroleum Institute gives Trump a deregulatory policy wishlist

The organization seeks to have a number of Biden era regulations that focus on increasing electric vehicle adoption and slowing natural gas exports rescinded.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 15, 2024

New York City Employees’ Retirement System joins NZAOA

NYCERS joins the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance’s other 88 members that collectively represent $9.5 trillion in assets under management.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 15, 2024

Clorox prioritizes supplier decarbonization efforts

The cleaning product manufacturer is partnering with carbon tracking service Manufacture 2030 to gain visibility into its vendors’ emission reduction plans.

By Kelly Stroh • Nov. 15, 2024

Only 16% of global companies on track for 2050 net-zero goals: Accenture

“The fact that so few of the G2000 companies are on track to reach net-zero emissions is alarming,” the director of shareholder advocacy at Trillium Asset Management told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 14, 2024

COP29 negotiators approve Article 6.4, establish standards for global carbon market

The approval of the standards was called a “critical step” toward future climate negotiations at COP29 by the summit’s lead negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 14, 2024

Trump win is ‘setback’ for climate protection, but clean energy advocates say progress will continue

Trump’s victory means a Republican will be selected to lead FERC, which will likely work to rein in transmission incentives, said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2024

What COP29 entails for the global energy transition, business priorities

COP29 will be a “critical moment” in the global climate transition, further shaping the ESG landscape and motivating companies to ramp up sustainability initiatives, says Workiva’s chief sustainability officer.

By Mandi McReynolds • Nov. 13, 2024

ExxonMobil urges Trump not to withdraw from Paris Agreement again

“A second U.S. exit from the Paris Climate Agreement will have profound implications for the United States’ efforts to reduce its own emissions,” an Exxon spokesperson told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 13, 2024

California biofuel restrictions limit farms’ role in renewable energy transition

New changes to the state's low carbon fuel standard cap incentives for soybean oil in renewable diesel and give a timeline to phase out subsidies for dairy methane digesters.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 13, 2024

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

Increasing sustainability and inclusivity top of mind for COP29, says summit’s chief operating officer

The Chief Operating Officer for COP29 details steps the summit’s planning committee has taken to cut emissions and ramp up accessibility at the Baku venue.

By Narmin Jarchalova • Nov. 11, 2024