1/19/24: EBA Proposes New Guidelines for Banks on ESG and Climate Risks
1/18/24: EU lawmakers reached a provisional agreement on proposed new emissions rules for heavy-duty vehicles
1/17/24: The European Parliament passed a law banning misleading environmental claims and greenwashing on products
1/16/24: Republican lawmakers propose legislation that would criminalize the consideration of ESG factors by state funds
1/15/24: Australia has introduced draft legislation that would require climate-related reporting by large and medium-sized companies
1/9/24: The Wall Street Journal Labels ESG as the Newest 'Dirty Word' in Corporate America, with Leaders Preferring Terms Like 'Responsible Business
1/6/24: Experts Predict Increased ESG Action in 2024 as New Sustainability Regulations Loom
1/2/24: Canada Initiates Consultation for Federal Plastics Registry to Monitor Creation and Distribution of Plastics
12/28/23: Biden Administration Grants Louisiana Regulators Authority to Approve Carbon Capture Projects
12/27/23: Canada Introduces Standard Mandating Annual Increases for Zero Emission Light Duty Vehicles, Targets 100% Sales by 2035
12/27/23: French Government Ruling Could Require European ESG Funds to Sell Fossil Fuel Holdings
12/26/23: Biden Administration Proposes Strict Regulations for Hydrogen Producers to Qualify for Clean Hydrogen Tax Credits
12/22/23: Harvard Business Review Article Proposes Framework for Companies to Respond to Anti-ESG Rhetoric
12/21/23: New York State Issues Guidance for Regulated Banking and Mortgage Organizations on Managing Material Financial and Operational Risks from Climate Change
12/21/23: EU and UK Agree to Delay Tariffs on Electric Vehicles Until the End of 2026
12/20/23: European Council Agrees on Proposal to Negotiate Regulation of ESG Ratings
12/18/23: UK Government Reveals Plans for Carbon Import Levy on Certain Products Starting in 2027
12/13/23: COP28 Concludes with Global Leaders Agreeing to Unprecedented Climate Deal Urging Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
12/12/23: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Releases Eight Principles to Guide Businesses on Environmental Claims
12/11/23: Canada Unveils Draft Protocol 'Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle' to Address Methane Emissions in the Livestock Sector
12/5/23: European Supervisory Authorities Propose Amendments to Draft RTS of Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation
12/4/23: MAS Launches Singapore-Asia Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance
11/30/23: COP28 Nations Approve Landmark Deal Establishing 'Loss and Damages Fund' to Aid Developing Nations Hit by Climate Emergencies
11/28/23: UK Financial Conduct Authority Publishes Rules to Combat Greenwashing and Ensure Accurate Labeling of Sustainable Funds
11/28/23: Michigan Governor Whitmer Signs Sweeping Clean Energy and Jobs Act into Law
11/24/23: Over 100 Countries Agree on UN-Led Interim Goal to Cut Global Aviation Emissions 5% by 2030 with Sustainable Aviation Fuel
11/22/23: European Parliament Members Agree to Establish Certification Framework for Enhanced Verification of Carbon Removals
11/8/23: UK Government Advances Plans to Regulate Ratings Agencies Assessing Companies' ESG Performance
11/6/23: UN Committee Breaks Impasse on 'Loss and Damage Fund' to Assist Vulnerable Nations Hit by Climate-Driven Disasters
10/31/23: Hong Kong Securities Regulator Backs Non-Mandatory Guidelines for ESG Rating and Data Products Providers
10/30/23: COP28 Leadership Urges Governments to Triple Renewable Energy Capacity by 2030
10/24/23: AASB Proposes Sustainability Reporting Standards Aligned with ISSB Framework
10/20/23: EU Council Reaches Agreement on Proposal to Further Reduce CO2 Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles
10/18/23: SEC's Exclusion of ESG from Exam Priorities Doesn't Signal Disregard, Experts Say
10/18/23: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Nasdaq's Board Diversity Rule
10/17/23: PwC Report Highlights Rising Demand for Climate Tech Innovation Amidst Declining Venture and Private Equity Funding for Start-ups
10/17/23: EBA Report Evaluates Impact of Environmental and Social Risks in Banking Sector
10/16/23: Dish Network to Pay First-of-Its-Kind Fine to FCC for Improper Satellite Disposal Near Operational Orbit
10/13/23: TCFD Issues Final Status Report for the Year on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
10/12/23: Department of Labor Issues Advisory Opinion Supporting Citigroup's Efforts to Diversify 401K Program Managers
10/10/23: California Governor Newsom Signs Groundbreaking Law Promoting Diversity in Venture Capital
10/6/23: European Parliament Overwhelmingly Approves New European Green Bond Label to Combat Greenwashing and Enhance Investor Transparency
10/3/23: Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Grants Preliminary Injunction in Fearless Fund Case
10/3/23: Sustainable Investing Supporters Optimistic as Anti-ESG Efforts Face Lukewarm Support and Limited Voter Engagement
10/2/23: EU Initiates First Phase of Carbon Border Tariff, a Groundbreaking Mechanism to Address Carbon Emissions
9/26/23: Federal Judge in Atlanta Rejects Preliminary Injunction Request to Halt Venture Capital Fund's Consideration of Grants for Black Women-Led Businesses
9/26/23: Emmanuel Macron Unveils Plan to Slash France's Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 55% by 2030
9/21/23: EU Lawmakers Reach Agreement to Ban Vague Product Taglines Like 'Environmentally Friendly' and 'Climate Neutral
9/21/23: Texas Federal Judge Dismisses Case Seeking to Overturn Department of Labor's ESG Rule
9/20/23: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Delays Ban on New Gasoline and Diesel Cars to 2035, Citing High Costs for Average Households
9/20/23: SEC Adopts Amendments to Fund Names Rule, Mandating Mutual Funds Align at Least 80% of Assets with Their Name
9/18/23: California Sues Major Oil Companies for Alleged Cover-Up of Fossil Fuel Production's Role in Climate Change
9/17/23: California Governor Newsom Set to Sign Two Major Climate Disclosure Bills
9/13/23: California Legislature Passes Landmark Bill Mandating Public Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Over 5,000 Companies
9/8/23: NGFS Introduces Framework for Central Banks to Evaluate and Address Nature-Related Financial Risks
9/7/23: ECB Climate Stress Test: Banks' Credit Risk May Surge Over 100% by 2030 with Delayed Global Climate Goals
8/22/23: Biden Administration Reinstates Obama-Era Offshore Drilling Safety
8/17/23: The European Commission has introduced reporting rules for importers participating in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
8/15/23: The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) has filed a lawsuit challenging Missouri’s Securities Division’s new rule requiring financial firms to obtain client signatures on state-scripted documents before providing advice incorporating social or nonfinancial objectives
8/14/23: Montana Judge Rules in Favor of Young Activists on Constitutional Rights to a Clean Environment
7/25/23: Anti-ESG legislation in U.S. states has faced considerable opposition over the past seven months
7/28/23: The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a new rule to speed up the connection of energy projects to the power grid
7/26/23: The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated a court action against Vanguard Investments Australia for supposed greenwashing
7/26/23: House Republicans introduced a series of bills to restrict the ability of the U.S. capital and financial markets to consider ESG issues in investments
7/25/23: The Government of Canada has unveiled initiatives to reduce support for the fossil fuel sector, aligning with its commitment under the Glasgow Statement
7/24/23: UK High Court Rejects ClientEarth's Challenge Against Shell, Upholding Company's Net Zero Emission Strategy
7/12/23: EU Parliament Advances Nature Restoration Law
7/6/23: EPA Proposes Revisions to Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program for More Accurate Methane Emission Data
7/5/23: The United Kingdom’s ESG Data and Ratings Working Group (DRWG) has introduced a draft voluntary Code of Conduct for ESG ratings and data providers
6/29/23: The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has expressed concerns about the sustainability-linked loan (SLL) market, citing potential risks to market integrity and greenwashing
6/5/23: The Biden-Harris Administration has released the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, which outlines a comprehensive framework for accelerating clean hydrogen production, use, and storage
5/26/23: Several insurers have left the UN Net-Zero Insurance Alliance as Republican politicians in the US have targeted climate action groups
5/17/23: A judge ruled that greenwashing claims against energy giant TotalEnergies will be permitted to proceed in the Paris judicial court
5/12/23: The European Parliament voted to clamp down on greenwashing and misleading consumer label claims
5/11/23: The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing on ESG this past week
5/11/23: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new rules that would significantly reduce the amount of GHG released by power plants
5/3/23: The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) issued a $13,000 infringement notice to superannuation fund promoter Future Super for alleged greenwashing in a 2019 Facebook post
5/2/23: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed anti-ESG legislation prioritizing financial returns for state funds and pensions, preventing green bond issuance, and eliminating ESG considerations in state contracts
4/28/23: EU proposing new rule to cut bonuses of executives whose companies are not aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius
4/25/23: European Council announces the establishment of a carbon tax on imported goods
4/21/23: Australia to will launch its first sovereign green bond by the middle of 2024
4/21/23: Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) launches a net zero transition financing plan
4/14/23: The Hong Kong Stock Exchanges to require issuers to make climate disclosures
4/13/23: European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) propose amendments to EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)
4/8/23: US Environmental Protection Agency expected to propose new auto pollution limits
4/5/23: Ten thousand non-EU companies will be subject to the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
3/30/23: Proposed Texas anti-ESG legislation could cost the state’s retirees billions of dollars
3/30/23: UK publishes its updated net-zero Green Finance Strategy
3/29/23: United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority to delay implementation of its anti-greenwashing rule and sustainability disclosure requirements
3/28/23: EU lawmakers agree on law mandating a increase in electric vehicle recharging and hydrogen refueling stations
3/28/23: Kansas, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Indiana have terminated or significantly watered down anti-ESG bills
3/22/23: European Commission releases new proposed anti-greenwashing rules
3/16/23: Florida Governor announces a coalition of 19 states to oppose the use of ESG factors in government investing
3/13/23: European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and the European Central Bank (ECB) to encourage climate change-related disclosures for structured finance products
2/28/23: Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) brings a lawsuit alleging greenwashing against Mercer Superannuation
2/28/23: Canada to require major government suppliers to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and set reduction targets
2/28/23: UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) to take a “more permissive approach” in the enforcement of antitrust rules for climate change agreements
2/28/23: European Union reaches provisional agreement to establish a green bond standard
2/21/23: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) releases Consultation Paper on ESG Disclosures, Rating, and Investing
2/10/23: US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers adjustments to proposed climate risk disclosure rule
2/3/23: UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to test asset management firms’ ESG claims
2/1/23: Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the UK’s auditor regulator, updates its statement of intent on ESG challenges
2/1/23: EU launches Green Deal Industrial Plan in response to US legislation
1/27/23: New York City requires Uber and Lyft to have a zero-emissions fleet of 100,000 by 2030
1/27/23: Attorneys General from red states sue to block U.S. Department of Labor ESG rule
1/26/23: India’s first green bond issuance met with strong demand
1/24/23: NYC’s Comptroller and others call on top banks to set stricter 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target
1/24/23: The European Central Bank (ECB) publishes first set of statistical indicators to help analyze climate-related risks
1/19/23: International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to release global standards in June
1/17/23: US Federal Reserve releases a “climate risk analysis exercise” for major banks
1/13/23: New York State unveils a new “Cap-and-Invest” program
1/2/23: Singapore appoints first Government Chief Sustainability Officer
12/18/22: US Department of Energy (DOE) proposes new energy-efficiency standards
12/21/22: International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has grants companies an extra year to report on Scope 3 emissions
12/20/22: Japan’s Financial Service Agency introduces new law mandating ESG disclosures for Japanese listed companies
12/14/22: The European Banking Authority (EBA) releases its new three-year ESG/sustainable finance roadmap
12/13/22: EU will implement a carbon tax on imports
11/30/22: European Commission adopts proposal for the voluntary framework to certify high-quality carbon removals
11/23/22: How the EU’s new reporting rules apply to US businesses
11/22/22: UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) forms group involving ESG data and ratings providers
11/22/22: SEC charges investment advisor for not following their ESG policies and procedures
11/21/22: EU launches proposed rules of using sustainability/ESG-related investment fund names
11/16/22: European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) approved by European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG)
11/15/22: Three European Supervisory Authorities launch review of greenwashing
11/10/22: New SEC rules will require more disclosure from mutual funds on ESG issues, executive pay, etc.
11/9/22: EU agrees on CO2 emission cut targets
11/2/22: European Central Bank (ECB) warns banks failing to address climate risks about higher capital requirements and/or fines
10/28/22: EU reaches a deal to ban the sale of combustion engine cars by 2035
10/26/22: Three NGOs threaten to sue bank under French law for supporting fossil fuel companies
10/25/22: UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) proposes rules to clamp down on greenwashing
10/20/22: Investors try to depoliticize ESG
10/20/22: Anti-ESG legislation chart by state
10/18/22: Missouri pulls $500M out of BlackRock managed pension funds, blaming ESG priority
10/13/22: SEC FAQs about use of DEI by investment advisers
9/28/22: Opinion—Wall Street’s system of ESG investing is really used to maximize shareholder returns
9/1/22: California passes $54 billion climate bill
8/24/22: California to ban sale of new gas cars by 2035
8/17/22: Florida proposes anti-ESG rules
8/16/22: A defense against the anti-ESG movement’s climate critiques
8/12/22: A discussion of scientists’ views on the Inflation Reduction Act's climate provisions
8/9/22: 19 states attack Blackrock for focusing on sustainable investing
8/8/22: An analysis of the Inflation Reducation Act’s impact on climate change
8/3/22: Missouri AG investigates Morningstar for its ESG ratings
7/29/22: West Virginia bans banks from doing business with state because their reduced financing of coal
7/19/22: UK’s High Court rules that the government's net zero strategy must be strengthened
7/13/22: U.S. SEC amends rules rescinding certain requirements imposed on proxy advisory firms and investment advisers
7/13/22: U.S. SEC proposes new amendments clarifying when corporations can exclude shareholder proposals
7/12/22: Discussion on how Texas’s anti-ESG law drives down competition and results in higher costs
7/11/22: Calls for the regulation of ESG data and ratings providers
7/1/22: Possible ways forward for environmental regulation despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA
6/30/22: US Supreme Court restricts the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to combat climate change
6/28/22: EU reaches a preliminary agreement on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
6/17/22: Business Roundtable comes out against the SEC’s proposed climate disclosure rule
6/17/22: Comment letter from a bipartisan group of securities experts on why the SEC has the legal authority to require public company climate disclosures
6/16/22: How European and Global sustainable reporting standards may converge
6/10/22: SEC’s ESG enforcement task force at work
6/3/22: New New York law that would ban crypto mining that runs on carbon sources
5/31/22: European regulators getting serious about greenwashing
5/28/22: Texas pressures banks who “discriminate” against guns
5/25/22: The SEC unveils fund names and fund disclosure rules
5/23/22: SEC alleges that the Firm did not always do the ESG quality review on its investments
5/16/22 & 5/20/22: Articles on the polarization/politicization of ESG
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/05/how-red-states-are-trying-to-snuff-out-green-investing.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-20/why-esg-investing-is-under-republican-attack
5/16/22: California court holds that a state law mandating California companies to include women on boards is unconstitutional
4/20/22: Texas to punish financial services companies who move away from fossil fuels
4/20/22: FCA publishes non-mandatory targets for board diversity
4/4/22: Congressional Research Service report on how climate change may effect the US economy
3/21/22: Opposing views from SEC commissioners on the proposed public company climate disclosure rule:
3/21/22: SEC proposes public company climate risk and greenhouse gas disclosure rules
2/11/22: European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to define greenwashing
11/17/21: SEC has passes universal proxy director candidate requirement
9/1/21: Increased regulatory scrutiny on greenwashing
8/10/21: SEC approves Nasdaq’s board diversity rule
7/19/21: The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) letter directed at asset managers highlighting ESG marketing concerns
3/15/21: Outline of the SEC’s ESG efforts in the first quarter of 2021
