Tag: esg

  • BlackRock leaves net-zero alliance, NZAM suspends operations

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    BlackRock—the world’s largest asset manager—announced Jan. 9 that it is leaving the Net-Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAM), a United Nations-affiliated group promoting emission reductions. NZAM announced Jan. 13 that it is suspending operations and removing the commitment statement and list of signatories from its website. The group said in a statement it will reevaluate its…

  • Trump announces pick for next SEC chairman

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    President-elect Donald Trump announced last week that he will nominate Paul Atkins as the next Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman.  Atkins’ views on ESG differ from those of current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. For example, Atkins wrote a letter opposing the SEC’s 2022 proposed climate disclosure rules, arguing they overstepped the agency’s delegated authority.…

  • SEC chairman announces resignation

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    SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced Nov. 21 that he will leave his position effective Jan. 20, 2025, at the end of Joe Biden’s (D) presidency. Trump will name his replacement. Gensler promoted policies supportive of ESG investing as chairman, including a set of rules requiring climate-related corporate disclosures. Most commentators believe Trump’s replacement will likely…

  • New York City pension system joins net zero asset group

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    What’s the story? The New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS)—under the direction of city Comptroller Brad Lander (D)—joined the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), extending its commitment to ESG investment strategies. NZAOA’s members manage more than $9.5 trillion and commit to using their investments to reduce carbon emissions. Why does it matter? The NYCERS…

  • Alabama auditor argues ESG hurts agriculture

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    Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell (R) argued in an op-ed published Oct. 13 that ESG threatens farmers—especially those in his state. Sorrell said environmental regulations and corporate policies would increase farming costs and damage large agricultural industries. Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition to the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing movement. To learn…

  • Missouri withdraws appeal in ESG lawsuit

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    Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) announced the state will withdraw its appeal of a court ruling overturning two anti-ESG investment rules. The rules would have penalized asset managers who invested based on ESG factors without the written consent of their clients. The withdrawal leaves the constitutional question for similar rules unsettled in U.S. courts.…