Companies are recalibrating ESG strategies in response to US policy shifts: report

Executives have decided to expand legal oversight of ESG and refine sustainability communication in response to backlash against ESG, a report from The Conference Board found.

By Lauren Schenkman • June 24, 2025

US, global cities tout emissions reductions

Local U.S. officials say they’re driving emissions goals from the ground up since the Trump administration’s withdrawal from key international climate events and agreements.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 24, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

This year has shaped up to be a formative one for ESG, from the U.S. pulling out of major climate agreements to federal agencies recalibrating their approach to sustainability under the new administration.

By ESG Dive staff

US senators call on EPA to study reuse, refill

Recycling policy advocates Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are teaming up again, this time on the REUSE Act, to assess opportunities in consumer packaging, food service and more.

By Maria Rachal • June 23, 2025

Datamaran launches product for ESG risk, compliance management

The company's Core product will use AI-powered workflows to help corporate sustainability, legal and risk management teams comply with global climate and ESG disclosure regulations.

By Lamar Johnson • June 20, 2025

Trump signs resolutions killing California’s zero-emissions rules

President Donald Trump called for ending electric vehicle mandates, signing off on a trio of congressional joint resolutions.

By Alejandra Carranza • June 20, 2025

Boxed vs. bottled: Not all sustainability claims hold water, nonprofit says

The brand Boxed Water is Better agreed to change certain environmental statements on its packaging in response to a nonprofit’s review, which was requested by the International Bottled Water Association.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 18, 2025

New guide to help fashion supply chains comply with global ESG regulations

TrusTrace’s fourth playbook introduces tools to help the fashion industry navigate existing and upcoming data legislation requirements.

By Lauren Schenkman • June 17, 2025

SEC withdraws proposed rules on ESG disclosures, shareholder submissions

The rules were among 14 proposed Biden-era regulations the Securities and Exchange Commission said it would cease the rulemaking process for.

By Lamar Johnson • June 16, 2025

EPA proposes slashing power plant carbon, mercury emission limits

However, the Environmental Protection Agency’s rationale behind the move may be legally flawed, according to environmental and other groups.

By Ethan Howland • June 13, 2025

Transferability is transforming clean energy project finance, say dealmakers

The ability to transfer tax credits has allowed for new investors, new structures and faster deals, experts say, but is threatened by congressional budget proposals.

By Diana DiGangi • June 10, 2025

Local leaders warn U.S. Senate not to pull the plug on clean energy credits

Bipartisan coalition says proposed cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would threaten jobs and local investments, raise energy costs and create economic uncertainty.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 10, 2025

GOP lawmakers reiterate asks for clean energy credit tweaks in reconciliation bill

Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Virginia Republican, said “there remains significant room for improvement in preserving the clean energy tax credits” in the Senate’s version of the budget bill.

By Lamar Johnson • June 9, 2025

New York bets big on green economy with Brooklyn climate innovation hub

NYC and LA nonprofits expect BATWorks to nurture 150 cleantech startups, generate $2.6B in economic impact and create more than 600 green jobs.

By Danielle McLean • June 6, 2025

BlackRock removed from Texas divestment list after climate alliance exits

Texas’ comptroller said BlackRock is no longer considered to be “boycotting” fossil fuels and its change in climate alliance participation was “directly related” to the state’s divestment list.

By Lamar Johnson • June 4, 2025

Port of Los Angeles presses ahead with EV transition amid regulation changes

The port will use Clean Truck Fund revenue to fund charging infrastructure and truck purchase vouchers.

By Alejandra Carranza • June 3, 2025

Congress revokes Advanced Clean Trucks waiver, creating ambiguity for refuse fleets

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution revoking waivers allowing California to implement several zero-emissions truck policies. The change will ease requirements even as a transition continues.

By Jacob Wallace • June 2, 2025

DOE cancels $3.7B in carbon capture, decarbonization awards

Calpine, PPL Corp., Ørsted and Exxon Mobil are among the companies affected by the decision.

By Ethan Howland • June 2, 2025

Labor Dept. drops Biden-era ESG fiduciary rule

The agency will no longer defend the rule allowing retirement plan managers to consider ESG factors and intends to work through a new rulemaking process on the topic “as expeditiously as possible.”

By Lamar Johnson • May 29, 2025

Congress votes to rescind California vehicle emissions waiver

Clean vehicle advocates say air quality and public health would suffer while auto and petroleum industry lobbyists support ending California’s authority under the Clean Air Act.

By Dan Zukowski • May 29, 2025

FTC, DOJ weigh in on Republican states’ coal antitrust case against ‘Big Three’ asset managers

The federal agencies urged the court to reject BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Texas AG Ken Paxton and 10 other states.

By Lamar Johnson • May 28, 2025

House-passed budget bill sparks concerns from clean energy industry

While the nuclear industry saw some positive changes from a committee-passed version, further updates to the IRA structure prompted concerns from clean energy and sustainable investing groups.

By Lamar Johnson • May 27, 2025

House’s 60-day deadline for IRA eligibility would trigger ‘scramble’: EY experts

“From a commercial perspective, it's not a unilateral decision most of the time on whether you can begin construction,” said Greg Matlock, a tax leader at EY Americas.

By Diana DiGangi • May 27, 2025

Stop work order on Empire Wind 1 lifted, Equinor resumes construction

Statements from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum imply that the restart approval was related to conversations about the state’s natural gas pipeline capacity.

By Diana DiGangi • May 21, 2025

Pennsylvania judge dismisses county climate lawsuit against oil majors

A judge ruled that state courts lacked the subject matter jurisdiction to settle Bucks County’s case because its stated claims are “so intertwined with emissions.”

By Lamar Johnson • May 20, 2025

GOP supporters of IRA clean energy credits outline reconciliation bill recommendations

Fourteen Republicans asked to maintain the tax credit transferability mechanism through the phase-out period and make two other adjustments to the clean energy tax credit changes.

By Lamar Johnson • May 19, 2025