Corporate Governance: Page 18


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    Lamar Johnson/ESG Dive
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    GreenBiz24: US companies seek to understand EU CRSD impact

    While the process may be complex, it is important for companies to recognize they “are not starting from scratch,” Nado Saab, Mondelēz International’s director of ESG reporting told attendees.

    By Feb. 15, 2024
  • Conference attendees seen in front of GreenBiz24 logo.
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    Lamar Johnson/ESG Dive
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    Sustainability experts called to ‘LEAD’ a push for climate policy at GreenBiz24

    Bill Weihl, former head of sustainability at Google and Facebook, said industry professionals need to urge their companies to advocate for additional green policies.

    By Feb. 13, 2024
  • A FirstEnergy crew working on distribution power lines.
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    The image by FirstEnergy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    FirstEnergy increases 5-year spending plan 44%, to $26B, drops 2030 carbon goal

    The company abandoned its plan to cut carbon emissions 30% below 2019 levels by 2030 amid tightening power supplies in the PJM Interconnection, but it still intends to be net carbon neutral by 2050.

    By Ethan Howland • Feb. 13, 2024
  • An exterior of the Barclays Bank headquarters
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    Oli Scarff via Getty Images
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    Barclays ceases direct funding of new fossil fuel projects

    The London-based bank will also require all its portfolio energy companies to report their scoped emissions reductions targets and any expansion plans by Jan. 1, 2025.

    By Feb. 12, 2024
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cost cutbacks to go hand-in-hand with emissions reduction strategy: USPS

    The postal service said it plans to slash scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% and scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030, compared to a 2021 baseline.

    By Feb. 9, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Shell rebrands climate tech company Studio X as Onward, eyes net-zero economy

    The updated energy venture falls in line with the oil major’s goal to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.

    By Feb. 8, 2024
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    nespix via Getty Images
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    ESG to be a ‘major’ M&A driver in 2024: Norton Rose Fulbright

    The vice president of a U.S. corporation warned in the report that companies will cancel acquisition deals if “critical ESG information is not provided or unavailable.”

    By Feb. 7, 2024
  • ExxonMobil
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Arjuna Capital, Follow This pull Exxon climate proposal after lawsuit

    Natasha Lamb, Arjuna Capital’s chief investment officer, warned the lawsuit will silence investors concerned about climate risks.

    By Feb. 5, 2024
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    courtneyk via Getty Images
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    Legal chiefs, diversity officers view DEI differently, survey finds

    “The lack of alignment in the C-suite could pose new challenges for organizations in communicating and acting on their IE&D-related positions and values,” the Littler report said.

    By Lyle Moran • Feb. 2, 2024
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    Toby Smith via Getty Images
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    Global standard-setter proposes ethics guidelines to curb greenwashing risks

    The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants prepared a pair of ethics standards to help sustainability experts foster trust.

    By Jan. 31, 2024
  • IKEA logo is displayed outside a store.
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    Naomi Baker via Getty Images
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    Ikea makes strides in reducing carbon footprint, attributes progress to clean energy initiatives

    The home furnishings retailer said its greenhouse gas emissions declined by 11.5% from the previous year and it has updated its climate strategy to reach net-zero by 2050.

    By Jan. 31, 2024
  • Smoke from Canadian wildfires creates hazy conditions over NYC
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    David Dee Delgado via Getty Images
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    Extreme weather and climate regulations are 2024’s top supply chain risks: Everstream

    Wildfires, rains and droughts could cause shipping delays, while agricultural commodities might face shortages from weather and other factors, the analytics firm said.

    By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Farm workers are seen in an aerial shot harvesting zucchini
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    A dozen state GOP agriculture heads probe Net Zero Banking Alliance members’ climate targets

    None of the six banks — which include JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi — have published climate targets for the sector, according to their websites.

    By Jan. 30, 2024
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    useng via Getty Images
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    The ESG industry outlook on 2024: Climate disclosure rules, proxy voting and more

    The upcoming year will determine how national and international regulation, shareholder rights and proposal approvals, and scope 3 reporting influence the ESG landscape.

    By , Jan. 30, 2024
  • The Walgreens logo is displayed outside a store.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Walgreens reports spike in scope 3, points to business travel and downstream transportation

    The retail pharmacy chain said it had reduced its overall carbon footprint by almost 25% compared to a 2019 baseline, despite a surge in scope 3 emissions.

    By Jan. 29, 2024
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    AlexLMX via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    EU ESG due diligence directive set to take effect

    Final approval of the regulatory action is expected to happen soon. When it does, U.S. companies doing $300M in EU business must show they're meeting environmental and social goals. 

    By Neil D’Souza • Jan. 29, 2024
  • The HSBC logo is seen outside a bank branch.
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    Matt Cardy via Getty Images
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    HSBC launches first net-zero transition plan in a move to slash emissions

    The bank’s plan to meet climate objectives comes against a backdrop of financial institutions facing pressure to address climate risk and sever ties with the fossil fuel industry.

    By Jan. 26, 2024
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    Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
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    Global Reporting Initiative updates biodiversity reporting standards

    The standard for the first time includes increased transparency on impacts through the supply chain, as biodiversity loss is affecting every region of the world.

    By Jan. 26, 2024
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    Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    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 Jan. 25, 2024
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    76% of companies link pay to ESG performance in rising trend: WTW

    The biggest companies are weaving ESG into pay incentives despite a backlash against the use of sustainability as a metric for corporate performance.

    By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2024
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    Moeru Matsunoo via Getty Images
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    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
  • Prices are displayed at an ExxonMobil gas station
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    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 Jan. 22, 2024
  • Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, speaks at a roundtable discussion.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    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 Jan. 22, 2024
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    New Hampshire bill would make use of ESG in investments a felony

    The bill would punish “knowingly” using ESG factors in investment decisions with at least a year in prison.

    By Jan. 22, 2024
  • DEI
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    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
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    Turning DEI policies into aspirations unlikely to stem bias lawsuits

    Companies face challenges from conservative anti-bias groups even after replacing explicit diversity, equity and inclusion goals with more broadly characterized aims.

    By Robert Freedman • Jan. 22, 2024