House GOP says SEC is overstepping authority, cannot demand climate disclosures

Expert witnesses for the Financial Services Subcommittee differed in legal interpretations of the agency’s power to issue the rule.

By Lamar Johnson • 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

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

Walmart to pay $60K over claim it did not promote woman with young children

The retailer promoted an employee who did not have young children, amounting to sex discrimination, the EEOC alleged.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 17, 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

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

Companies show decline in wage growth, but increase in ESG concerns: survey

Companies also still expect to include ESG-related issues as a metric in their incentive plans, according to the latest research from Pearl Meyer.

By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 5, 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

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

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

Decarbonization strategies require corporate buy-in, USGBC says

While Inflation Reduction Act funding is a “key lever to decarbonization,” building owners, operators and occupants must do more to ensure that the U.S. reaches its Paris Agreement goals, the U.S. Green Building Council says.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 15, 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

Toyota’s carbon footprint rises despite emissions-curbing initiatives

The car manufacturer’s scope 1 and scope 2 emissions saw an increase from levels recorded last year, even as the company aims to be carbon neutral by 2035 across its North America operations.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 8, 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

Final SEC climate disclosure rule pushed to April 2024

The long-awaited timing update comes via the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda for next year, which also unveiled new timetables for other ESG-related proposals.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 7, 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

American Airlines inks deal with Bill Gates-backed carbon removal startup

The Fort Worth-based airline is the first commercial customer for Graphyte and is purchasing 10,000 tons of carbon removal credits.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 29, 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

Global Reporting Initiative proposes climate change, energy standards

The key focus of the two proposals is on how organizations can cut their greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 22, 2023

Amazon prioritizing ESG in procurement, but gathering data is ‘increasingly painstaking’

Buyers said getting information from suppliers is difficult because of research and data collection challenges combined with time constraints.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 21, 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

CalPERS aims to double climate investments to $100B by 2030

The country’s largest pension fund said it would integrate ESG into its investment strategy and divest from companies “without credible net-zero plans.”

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 16, 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