Banks are excluded from EU’s human rights, due diligence regulation — for now

Despite opposition to leaving financial institutions out, the final draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive only states the sector may need to comply at a later date.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 19, 2023

Donuts and do nots: Krispy Kreme’s first ESG report reveals carbon emissions spike

The company said it achieved carbon neutrality in some global operations through carbon offsets, despite a jump in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions overall.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 18, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of the clean energy transition in 2024

This year saw a large volume of initiatives and investments from corporations focused on the clean energy transition — alongside a handful of reversions on carbon reduction goals.

By ESG Dive staff

Treasury releases sustainable aviation fuel tax credit guidance

SAF manufacturers could receive an additional $0.01 per gallon over the base credit for each percentage point the fuel reduces emissions above 50%.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 18, 2023

COP28 takeaways: More than $7B mobilized for food system climate action

With the end of the U.N. climate summit, here's a final tally of some of the major financial commitments and sustainability pledges meant to transform the agricultural and food sectors. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 18, 2023

Decarbonization strategies require corporate buy-in, USGBC says

While Inflation Reduction Act funding is a “key lever to decarbonization,” building owners, operators and occupants must do more to ensure that the U.S. reaches its Paris Agreement goals, the U.S. Green Building Council says.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 15, 2023

Goldman Sachs to liquidate Paris-aligned climate ETF in new year

The fund closure bookends a year of contraction for the sustainable funds market, though the financial services firm said the move is not indicative of its broader positions.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 15, 2023

Clean energy developer energyRe raises $1.2B for expansion

The company said it will use the new capital to expand its renewable energy portfolio and advance its goals of decarbonizing cities in the U.S.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 14, 2023

Microsoft signs multiyear carbon removal agreement with Norwegian startup

The partnership with Inherit Carbon Solutions will help the software systems company work toward its goals of becoming carbon negative by 2030.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 14, 2023

House panel to subpoena BlackRock, State Street on ESG practices

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan will subpoena four firms for more answers as to whether the companies’ climate-related efforts violate federal antitrust laws, Bloomberg reported.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Dec. 14, 2023

Arizona’s chief utility regulator bashes ESG, says it’s not a factor when weighing utility plans

Solar and wind resources may be cheaper, but the head of the Arizona Corporation Commission said fossil fuels “will continue to play a critical role in the delivery of reliable, affordable power.”

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2023

Companies setting their own carbon prices without global standard: Reuters

The new analysis from the Climate Disclosure Project has found companies’ internal carbon prices range anywhere from under $1 to $1,600 per metric ton of carbon emissions.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 13, 2023

Here’s the UN’s roadmap for agriculture to reach net-zero emissions

A landmark report released at COP28 says wholesale changes to production practices and diets will be needed to keep temperatures in check while ensuring food security needs are met.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 13, 2023

Landmark COP28 agreement calls for ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels

Though the final agreement is a step forward from a previous draft that scrapped the demand to “phase out” fossil fuels, its text contains ambiguous language on shifting away from oil and gas.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 13, 2023

Vanguard, Arjuna Capital issued House Judiciary subpoenas over ESG probe

The committee is seeking information from the two asset management firms for its investigation into whether industry climate alliances violate antitrust law.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 12, 2023

COP28: Call to ‘phase out’ fossil fuels gets phased out in latest draft text

The fourth iteration of the agreement dropped language calling for the future elimination of fossil fuels, a move climate activists are labeling as a concession to petrostates.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 12, 2023

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, IFC unveil plans for future green building certification

At the COP28 summit in Dubai, the organizations said they will use the new certification to measure progress toward SHA’s “Net Positive Hospitality” initiative.

By Noelle Mateer • Dec. 12, 2023

OPEC head urges members to reject fossil fuel phase out proposal at COP28

The secretary general of the oil cartel labeled plans to curb fossil fuels as “politically motivated campaigns” that put “people’s prosperity and future at risk,” in a letter sent to member states.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 11, 2023

Toyota’s carbon footprint rises despite emissions-curbing initiatives

The car manufacturer’s scope 1 and scope 2 emissions saw an increase from levels recorded last year, even as the company aims to be carbon neutral by 2035 across its North America operations.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 8, 2023

Gensler: EU regulations would take precedence without SEC climate rule

The Securities and Exchange Commission will talk with its European counterparts on using its rule as a substitute for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 8, 2023

Ahold Delhaize names new chief sustainability officer

The Dutch grocer has tapped Alex Holt of Woolworths Group to fill the role ahead of Jan Ernst de Groot’s retirement.  

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 7, 2023

UN report proposes measures to slash up to 96% of cooling emissions by 2050

Passive cooling, higher energy efficiency standards and a quicker phasedown of climate-warming refrigerants could save $1 trillion by 2050, according to the report released during COP28.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 7, 2023

Bill Gates-backed sustainable energy firm commits $75M to e-fuels company Infinium

Project Roadrunner will also collaborate with American Airlines to produce sustainable aviation fuel and other low-carbon fuels.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 7, 2023

Final SEC climate disclosure rule pushed to April 2024

The long-awaited timing update comes via the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda for next year, which also unveiled new timetables for other ESG-related proposals.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 7, 2023

The biggest food sustainability pledges at COP28, from Bezos to JBS

Food companies commit millions of dollars to tackle methane and advance regenerative agriculture, while governments prioritize farming in climate action plans. Here are the highlights from the U.N. climate summit in Dubai.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 7, 2023

COP28 Finance Day rundown: US pledges $3B to Green Climate Fund, think tank launches

The United States’ contribution is part of a record funding round for the GCF and one of more than 40 pledges on the day.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 6, 2023