Social Responsibility


  • Diversity, equity inclusion DEI poster at workplace meeting
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    Michael Cohen via Getty Images
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    1 in 5 companies say they’ve slashed DEI since Trump’s election

    Half of the companies that have eliminated DEI say morale is down, and 1 in 5 say they’ve seen an increase in reports of discrimination and bias.

    By Ginger Christ • July 30, 2025
  • People seen protesting in front of a factory.
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    Lukas Schulze via Getty Images
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    Renewable energy projects facing increased litigation: BHRRC

    The “growing wave” of lawsuits raises alarms that ignoring human rights could slow down the energy transition, according to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. 

    By Lauren Schenkman • July 28, 2025
  • Visual displaying components of ESG. Explore the Trendline
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    TarikVision via Getty Images
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    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
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    mixmotive via Getty Images
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    Paramount promises to abstain from DEI programs to secure Skydance merger

    The FCC hinging its approval of the merger on Paramount decommitting from DEI is the latest example of public-sector agendas affecting private-sector talent strategy.

    By Caroline Colvin • July 28, 2025
  • An adult uses a Citi ATM while a child stands next to the person, with Citi signage in the foreground.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    DOL rescinds Biden-era letter on Citi racial equity proposal

    The program, which Citi said was never implemented, was slated to provide “diverse managers” with a competitive advantage, an agency official wrote.

    By Emilie Shumway • July 23, 2025
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    Bill_Vorasate via Getty Images
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    DOE to drop accessibility requirement for buildings receiving federal funds

    Federal accessibility standards won’t apply to buildings using U.S. Energy Department funds for energy efficiency or other uses under a rule rescission taking effect soon.

    By Robert Freedman • July 18, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    DEI trainings remain under the microscope as companies respond to scrutiny

    Joint guidance from federal agencies has changed the DEI landscape, according to a management-side attorney.

    By Caroline Colvin • July 17, 2025
  • Construction worker pushes water cart to worksite during heat wave
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    How to protect employees from heat and other climate extremes

    Basics like shade, water and rest can help, but HR should involve workers in the planning process, sources told HR Dive.

    By Ryan Golden • July 15, 2025
  • A person sits at a park table, working on a laptop and wearing ear buds.
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    Cindy Ord / Staff via Getty Images
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    Flexible work is ‘non-negotiable’ for gender equality, UN Women report says

    “For the first time, gender equality ranks alongside healthcare and climate change as a top global concern,” according to the report.

    By Carolyn Crist • July 11, 2025
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    Arbor Day Foundation/ Starboard & Port

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    Sponsored by The Arbor Day Foundation

    Connect with customers by marketing with heart

    Consumers want to know what your brand stands for. Dig into why purpose and profit go hand in hand.

    June 30, 2025
  • A woman stands at a podium and speaks into a microphone. Behind her is an American flag.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    K-leather ban reintroduced in US Senate in effort to curb kangaroo skin trade

    The Kangaroo Protection Act prohibits the sale and manufacturing of products made from kangaroo skin and carries fines of up to $10,000.

    By Lara Ewen • June 27, 2025
  • A truck with a message is parked outside a store.
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    Adam Bettcher via Getty Images
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    How ditching Pride now could hurt brands later

    Some retailers that once wholeheartedly celebrated and supported the LGBTQ+ community have pulled away. What if they want to rejoin the party?

    By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2025
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    Kent Nishimura / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Are employers still sponsoring Pride this year amid DEI rollbacks?

    Employers have long celebrated in June with corporate-funded banners for ERGs to carry in parades, branded swag for employees and more.

    By Caroline Colvin • June 20, 2025
  • An overhead view of a garment factory floor shows workers using sewing machines.
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    Liuser via Getty Images
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    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
  • A sign for CitiBank is seen on the bank branch in Manhattan on March 01, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
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    Citi drops firearms restriction in a bow to GOP pressure

    The bank updated a 7-year-old policy, enacted after the Parkland school shooting, over concerns about “fair access” months after Republicans accused some institutions of political de-banking.

    By Dan Ennis • June 4, 2025
  • Multiple rolls of leather are stacked in a pile.
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    bymuratdeniz via Getty Images
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    Human rights abuse documented in global leather supply chain

    A new report from the Fair Labor Association uncovered violations including child labor and discrimination.

    By Howard Ruben • May 30, 2025
  • A huddle of people stand in front of a concrete building. The weather is slightly overcast, and the masonry on the building includes some Greek columns.
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    Maddie Meyer / Staff via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Why a former ESG skeptic is teaching fiduciaries impact investing at MIT

    “Not all impact investments are created equal,” said Andrew Lo, a MIT Sloan School of Management professor. “One needs to focus very specifically on what kind of impact they'd like to achieve.”

    By May 15, 2025
  • A panel of four speakers looks at a woman asking a question at DC Climate Week
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    Permission granted by Cedric Craig for DC Climate Week
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    Financing gaps for biodiversity conservation persist as corporations look to nature-based solutions

    While more corporations have invested in conservation and nature-based carbon credits, experts at DC Climate Week said there are hurdles to closing the funding gap.

    By May 14, 2025
  • DEI sign at University of Michigan
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    Bill Pugliano via Getty Images
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    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
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in a blue suit and tie, gestures from a podium.
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    DOT will cut funds to transportation projects with DEI: Duffy

    The U.S. transportation secretary also told funding recipients that they need to cooperate with immigration officers or potentially face civil or criminal prosecution.

    By Julie Strupp • May 6, 2025
  • Containers of Nestle hot chocolate mix are seen on a store shelf February 23, 2006 in San Francisco, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Nestlé changes how it reports nutritional value of food after criticism

    Investor coalition ShareAction has called on the DiGiorno and Nespresso manufacturer to improve the health content of its food and beverage portfolio.

    By Christopher Doering • May 1, 2025
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    NNehring via Getty Images
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    Nestlé and Ofi combat cocoa deforestation with regenerative agriculture program

    The chocolate giant and ingredients processor plan to plant nearly 3 million trees in growing regions and track its carbon footprint using AI tools.

    By Chris Casey • April 29, 2025
  • people checking out at Target
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Amid DEI uncertainty, what happens to pay equity?

    “Regardless of the changes in the federal DEI policies, the law still stands that you should be paying people equally,” a pay equity strategist said.

    By Ginger Christ • April 28, 2025
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    More anti-DEI shareholder proposals fail at Goldman Sachs, Levi’s

    Proposals aimed at overturning or altering companies’ DEI practices have been unpopular with shareholders. Submissions to the financial institution and clothing company received less than 2% support.

    By April 28, 2025
  • Former EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum speaks at podium
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    Cheung, Lance. (2017). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    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
  • A blonde woman in a red shirt speaks on stage as part of a panel during a business conference.
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    D Dipasupil via Getty Images
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    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