2024 proxy outlook: What’s driving the ESG proposal approval dip?

Major asset managers and a spate of anti-ESG proposals helped push approval rates down, yet even more ESG proposals are expected after a record 2023.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 25, 2024

BlackRock commits $500M to Recurrent Energy, expands renewable power portfolio

The investment allows the asset manager to have a 20% stake in the company, and marks the inaugural transaction by its fourth climate infrastructure fund.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 24, 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

Ocean carbon capture startup Captura raises $21M

The company plans to begin operating its technology at a commercial scale following a fall pilot plant deployment, currently in development with energy company Equinor.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 24, 2024

$104M for clean energy projects in 31 federal buildings announced by DOE

The selected projects are expected to save over $29 million in energy and water costs, generating an additional 27 megawatts of clean energy capacity, the U.S. Department of Energy says.

By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 24, 2024

Public pensions in liberal-leaning states falling short on addressing climate risk: report

Most public pension funds had inadequate proxy guidelines and proxy voting records to mitigate climate-related financial risks, Sierra Club found.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 23, 2024

Crown, IP, Smurfit Kappa among ‘early adopters’ for nature-related financial disclosures

As biodiversity loss becomes more of a concern in sustainability reporting, multiple packaging companies have agreed to align reporting with recommendations from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 23, 2024

ExxonMobil sues ESG investors to block climate proposals

The natural gas giant alleges shareholder proposals from Arjuna Capital and Follow This are a violation of federal securities laws and “driven by an extreme agenda.”

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 22, 2024

BlackRock eases on ESG messaging amid increased scrutiny

The asset manager’s investment stewardship and Q4 earnings report signal a pivot on BlackRock’s language on climate change and corporate sustainability initiatives.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 22, 2024

BCG, 1PointFive ink carbon capture removal credits deal

BCG will also collaborate with 1PointFive through consulting services, which include developing business processes that back direct air capture carbon removal credits.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 19, 2024

To keep or not to keep: The fate of scope 3 emissions in SEC’s climate disclosure rule

Given all of the pushback the agency has received over its proposed rule, particularly scope 3 reporting requirements, experts are uncertain if scope 3 will make the final cut.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 18, 2024

Circularity could reduce dependence on China for rare earths: study

Reuse and recycling could help the U.S. meet up to 40% of its demand for materials critical to the energy transition, according to a new scientific paper.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 18, 2024

Anti-ESG crusader Vivek Ramaswamy drops out of 2024 presidential race

The political newcomer ended his GOP White House bid after finishing fourth place in the Iowa caucuses and endorsed former President Donald Trump shortly after.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 17, 2024

John Kerry leaving White House climate post, per multiple reports

The United States special presidential envoy for climate will leave his current post in the coming months to focus on Joe Biden’s presidential reelection campaign, per reports.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 17, 2024

Recycling tech company Resynergi secures $6.4M to accelerate plastic circularity

The funding will help scale the company’s Continuous Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis reactor, which generates clean products with a 68% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 16, 2024

Hertz reverses course on electric vehicles

The company, which once said EVs would account for a quarter of its rental fleet by 2025, is selling some 20,000 electric vehicles and replacing them with gas-powered cars.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 16, 2024

BlackRock buys Global Infrastructure Partners, makes $12.5B bet on infrastructure market

The asset manager cited “a movement toward decarbonization and energy security in many parts of the world” as a reason for the deal.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 16, 2024

Sphera acquires SupplyShift to improve scope 3 tracking capabilities

The deal comes as companies across the globe are facing increased regulatory pressure to report on their scope 3 emissions and carbon footprint.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 12, 2024

Chesapeake, Southwestern Energy create new oil giant with $7.4B merger

The combined portfolios, which will operate under a new company, will create the largest natural gas producer in the United States.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 12, 2024

Climate funding takes hit in California governor’s 2024 budget proposal

Transit funding, however, was relatively unscathed in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which represents $20 billion in cuts from last year.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 12, 2024

Neiman Marcus beats 2025 DEI goal, increases diversity across senior leadership

The luxury retailer said it had increased diversity across leadership roles, vice president level and up, by 21%, and was adopting external standards to measure and advance workplace equity.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 11, 2024

Rhodium: US greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2023, despite economic growth

Preliminary estimates show emissions are now 17.2% below pre-2005 levels, but the emissions reduction rate needs to more than triple to reach Paris Agreement goals.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 11, 2024

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

How 3 states are attacking carbon emissions from transportation

While 21 states sued the federal government over its new rule requiring transportation emission reduction targets, others are forging ahead to clean up the sector.

By Dan Zukowski • 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

DOL: Beyond Yoga contractors to pay over $1M in wages, damages to garment workers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s settlement for 165 Los Angeles-based workers is the largest one to date for garment workers in the Golden State.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 9, 2024