Oklo looks to Trump to hasten nuclear permitting

The advanced nuclear company aims to submit its reactor license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission later this year. 

By Brian Martucci • May 19, 2025

Congressional Dems press US financial institutions on climate alliance exits

“Leaving doesn’t eliminate climate-related financial risk; instead, it diminishes your capacity to monitor and address that risk collaboratively,” a letter from over 40 lawmakers said.

By Lamar Johnson • May 16, 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

Congress could soon revoke California’s vehicle emissions standards

State and local authority over air quality will be jeopardized if Congress revokes California’s auto emissions limits, experts say.

By Dan Zukowski • May 15, 2025

House GOP proposes early phaseout of IRA clean energy tax credits

The House Ways and Means Committee’s draft budget scales back the technology-neutral clean energy investment and production tax credits while leaving carbon capture credits largely intact.

By Brian Martucci • May 13, 2025

DEI may go largely unchanged despite Trump attacks, Littler says

However, the firm found that a growing share of employers are concerned about the potential for DEI-related litigation.

By Ryan Golden • May 13, 2025

NOAA stops tracking cost of extreme weather and climate disasters

The data can't be replicated by city and state governments, scientists say.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 12, 2025

New tool to help fashion brands calculate climate footprint, comply with regulations

Glimpact’s Global Impact Score evaluates companies’ environmental footprint by analyzing 16 indicators — including climate change and ozone depletion — and aggregating them into a single score.

By Zoya Mirza • May 9, 2025

DC’s first climate week highlights net-zero innovations and challenges

More than 4,500 attendees were in the nation’s capital as climate experts and startups look to make Washington, D.C. one of the top climate tech hubs in the U.S.

By Lamar Johnson • Updated June 2, 2025

States sue Trump administration over halt on wind energy development

Attorneys general from 17 Democratic-led states and D.C. have asked a district court to block Trump’s ban on wind energy approvals and declare it illegal.

By Diana DiGangi • May 8, 2025

House committee proposes annual $250 fee for EVs

Shoring up the Highway Trust Fund with annual federal registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles is part of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal.

By Dan Zukowski • May 7, 2025

Policy, tax uncertainty holding back US clean energy development

Clean energy policy experts gathered at DC Climate Week said that the current uncertainty around the U.S. tax and tariff environment is inhibiting the market.

By Lamar Johnson • May 2, 2025

Clothing prioritized in European Commission’s sustainable products plan

Beginning in 2025, a five-year plan will outline new requirements for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

By Lauren Schenkman • May 2, 2025

Federal appeals court temporarily pauses litigation on Biden-era DOL ESG rule

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 30-day pause in the case, but noted that it “will not permit an open-ended abeyance.”

By Zoya Mirza • May 1, 2025

DOT repeals highway GHG emissions reporting rule

The Biden-era rule, which required states and metropolitan planning organizations to monitor and set targets to reduce CO2 emissions, faced political opposition and lawsuits.

By Dan Zukowski • April 30, 2025

Renewable energy advocates see threats from Texas legislation

SB 819 would “represent a significant change to renewables development,” with new siting requirements for wind and solar, said law firm Vinson & Elkins.

By Diana DiGangi • April 29, 2025

Clean energy manufacturers cancel projects as Trump-era policies take hold

Companies canceled, closed or downsized nearly $8 billion in projects in Q1.

By Kate Magill • April 28, 2025

Net Zero in motion: A case study in sustainable logistics

Cut emissions, not quality—how PCI Pharma Services cut 13.9 tons of CO₂ in just 3 months.

By Tim Hansen, ESG Director, PCI Pharma Services and Sandra Voss, Director, Global Sustainability, Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics • April 28, 2025

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