Companies should seek a DEI ‘refresh,’ not a reboot, says former top EEOC official

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs do not pose legal risks when done right, said Chai Feldblum, who decried the idea that DEI is a “legal minefield.”

By Ryan Golden • April 25, 2025

Climate advocates brace for Trump executive order targeting nonprofits’ tax exempt status

Environmental groups are anticipating attempts to revoke their tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status, and some are vowing to fight any such attempts. 

By Diana DiGangi • April 25, 2025

Labor Dept. considers rescinding Biden-era ESG fiduciary rule

The agency asked for a suspension of litigation in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, as it considers whether to get rid of the rule allowing pension funds to consider ESG factors.

By Lamar Johnson • April 22, 2025

Solar advocates lobby on strong fundamentals amid political uncertainty

As Congress weighs tax incentive cuts, and tariffs drive up materials prices, the solar industry is emphasizing the technology’s low cost and fast deployment speed.

By Diana DiGangi • April 22, 2025

EPA granted appellate stay after judge rules to end GGRF funding freeze

A judge ruled Tuesday to end the freeze and allow grantees to access their funding, but appellate judges granted EPA a stay on that injunction late Wednesday. 

By Diana DiGangi • April 21, 2025

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

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

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

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

Trump directs FERC, other agencies to add 5-year sunsets to energy-related regulations

The executive order is “impossible to implement [and] blatantly illegal,” according to Harvard Law School’s Ari Peskoe.

By Ethan Howland • 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

Trump orders aim to boost coal for grid reliability, AI

However, the executive orders that could direct power plants to stay open will likely have little effect on coal-fired generation, according to analysts.

By Ethan Howland • April 10, 2025

Trump EO targets state climate, emissions and ESG policies

The executive order directs the attorney general to halt enforcement of state laws or civil actions targeting energy companies over climate change.

By Lamar Johnson • 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

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

DOJ attorney in EPA funding freeze case breaks with Zeldin’s fraud comments

“You said that there was waste, fraud, abuse,” Judge Tanya Chutkan said to Department of Justice attorney Marc Sacks. “You seem to be abandoning that position now.”

By Diana DiGangi • 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

Tennessee ends Wells Fargo probe after bank scraps net-zero target

The state's attorney general commended Wells Fargo’s “pro-consumer decision to step away from utopian policymaking." Seventeen other states had joined the probe.

By Rajashree Chakravarty • April 2, 2025

European Council adopts proposal to delay sustainability reporting

The European Parliament has set an April 1 vote for the “stop the clock” measure, which would officially delay reporting deadlines for the bloc’s corporate sustainability laws.

By Lamar Johnson • March 31, 2025

Trump repeals Biden-era clean energy manufacturing orders

The move cuts funding for electric heat pump manufacturing, as well as solar production and biomanufacturing research and development.

By Sara Samora • March 31, 2025