Ex-Accenture worker says company denied him promotions to hit DEI goals

With DEI drawing more scrutiny, attorneys have advised companies to review their policies and ensure they are free of quotas, set asides and preferences.

By Emilie Shumway • April 21, 2025

Energy regulator grants BlackRock renewed authorization for large utility investments

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave the nation’s largest asset manager approval to continue to acquire up to 20% of voting securities for utility companies for another three years.

By Lamar Johnson • April 18, 2025

Target CEO, Rev. Al Sharpton meet following DEI changes

The civil rights activist said he is mulling a boycott of the mass merchant, which scaled back its diversity programs in January.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2025

Trump administration ordered to resume IRA funding

A federal judge’s decision, which stated agencies lacked authority to pause funding, follows the president’s executive order to freeze the money on his first day in office. 

By Kate Magill • April 18, 2025

SEC approves first US ‘green’ stock exchange

The Securities and Exchange Commission gave final approval for Green Impact Exchange to open the first national exchange for sustainability offerings, with trading set to begin in 2026.

By Lamar Johnson • April 17, 2025

General Motors taps Dell sustainability head to become new CSO

Cassandra Garber will lead the automotive giant’s sustainability efforts and ESG practices starting April 22, which coincides with Earth Day.

By Zoya Mirza • April 17, 2025

Lego removes DEI mentions from latest ESG report

A webpage touting Lego’s “diverse and inclusive workplace” remains on the company’s site.

By Caroline Colvin • April 17, 2025

4 big law firms agree not to label lawful programs as DEI, EEOC says

The announcement follows Acting Chair Andrea Lucas’ move last month to investigate several law firms’ diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

By Ryan Golden • April 16, 2025

NZBA scraps requirement for banks to strictly target a 1.5°C warming scenario

The United Nations’ Net-Zero Banking Alliance has updated its guidelines in the wake of departures, with its latest guidance aiming for global warming “well below 2°C.”

By Lamar Johnson • April 15, 2025

Organizations prioritize sustainability, but they’re slowed by manual data processes

A slowdown in federal sustainability mandates is pushing building operators to focus on reduction initiatives, Atrius says.

By Joe Burns • April 15, 2025

UN reaches deal on global shipping net-zero standard in spite of US opposition

The framework would set fuel intensity standards for the global shipping industry. The Trump administration has threatened “reciprocal measures” to offset costs for U.S. companies.

By Lamar Johnson • April 14, 2025

EnergyHub partners with GM to use EVs as grid resources

General Motors’ sales of electric vehicles jumped 94% in the first quarter. EnergyHub said its managed EV charging programs can help utilities maintain grid stability as EV demand rises.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2025

Ally’s DEI suit dismissed after bank reduces emphasis

America First Legal dropped its lawsuit against Ally Financial after the lender largely scrubbed diversity references from its public filings.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • April 14, 2025

Physical risk playbook: How and why companies should step up their climate resiliency efforts

Investors need information on corporate resilience strategies for climate-driven disasters to price investment risks accurately, says Impax Asset Management’s Julie Gorte.

By Julie Gorte • April 11, 2025

EU legislators work to simplify sustainability reporting requirements

The European Union has delayed sustainability reporting for the CSRD and CSDDD while legislators work to simplify the underlying requirements for businesses.

By Lamar Johnson • April 10, 2025

4 ways tariffs could impact recycled plastic markets

Recycling industry analysts say high-level trends affecting markets and manufacturing will affect recyclers as trade war uncertainties continue.

By Megan Quinn • April 10, 2025

More than 25 consumer brands use packaging linked to Texas fracking: report

Single-use plastic packaging continues to drive fossil fuel extraction, despite brands’ promises to cut back, according to climate group Stand.earth.

By Lauren Schenkman • April 9, 2025

USDA tells digester funding applicants to remove diversity, climate language

The announcement means federal funding for anaerobic digesters on dairy farms could be unpaused for applicants willing to change project language.

By Jacob Wallace • April 9, 2025

Institutional Shareholder Services subsidiary launches sustainability bond ratings

The ratings aim to address investors’ “need for comparative insights on the material sustainability risks and opportunities” of green, social and sustainability bonds, ISS Stoxx’s head of ESG said.

By Lamar Johnson • April 8, 2025

Shareholder advocacy targets flexible packaging, reusables and recycling labels

Coca-Cola, Hyatt, Sealed Air, Starbucks and Wyndham recently reached agreements with shareholder advocates. Proposals remain pending at Amazon, Home Depot, Kraft Heinz, Mondelēz, PepsiCo and Wendy’s.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2025

Dutch investor AIP Management invests $500M in US solar producer

AIP will invest half a billion dollars in Silicon Ranch, a full-service solar company and one of the largest U.S. independent power producers.

By Lamar Johnson • April 7, 2025

Women’s trade organization granted temporary restraining order in DOL, Trump DEI case

President Donald Trump failed to properly define DEI in his Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 executive orders, Chicago Women in Trades claimed, thus putting its funding at risk.

By Caroline Colvin • April 7, 2025

EU parliament votes to ‘stop the clock’ on sustainability reporting

The European Parliament voted Thursday to delay reporting timelines for the bloc’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

By Lamar Johnson • April 4, 2025

German prosecutors slap $27M greenwashing fine on Deutsche Bank’s DWS

The Frankfurt Public Prosecutor said statements made by DWS about being an “ESG leader” or ESG being an integral part of its "DNA” did not paint a true picture.

By Zoya Mirza • April 4, 2025

Ford asks investors to vote down supply chain emissions proposal

Shareholder Green Century Capital Management wants the automaker to regularly disclose its strategies for meeting low-carbon steel benchmarks, among others.

By Haley Cawthon • April 4, 2025