ESG Shifts: What’s Next? And More….
- Joyce Kristiansson
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
ENVIRONMENTAL
DOI Implements Unprecedented 14-Day NEPA Review Process Under National Energy Emergency EO
April 24, 2025
In a significant move to accelerate domestic energy development, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced emergency permitting procedures that will dramatically compress environmental review timelines.
Under these procedures, projects that typically require environmental assessments taking up to a year or more will now be reviewed in approximately 14 days, while full environmental impact statements – normally a two-year process – will be completed in just 28 days.
Source: Holland & Knight
FWS and NMFS to Rescind ESA “Harm” Definition
April 17, 2025
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service proposed rescinding the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Harming a listed species will still be a prohibited “take” under the ESA, which includes other activities that harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a listed species. This proposal is in response to President Trump’s April 9 Executive Order, “Directing the Repeal of Unlawful Regulations,” and may serve as one of the first test cases for future deregulatory efforts.
Source: Beveridge & Diamond PC
Latest on EPA Rules Extended, Delayed in 2025
April 17, 2025
EPA extended the deadline to submit greenhouse gas reporting data for FY 2024, lengthened the comment period on two proposed Clean Air rules, and issued new guidance concerning Clean Water Act enforcement.
Source: Lion
Modifications to the NPDES Construction General Permit
April 16, 2025
EPA is finalizing modifications to the 2022 NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) by defining Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, expanding the eligibility for coverage under the permit for construction activities in Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, clarifying requirements for projects discharging stormwater to receiving waters within Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, and clarifying the permit eligibility requirements related to endangered species.
Source: EPA
Update On the Final SEC Climate-Related Disclosures Rule
April 14, 2025
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted the long-awaited rule on climate-related financial disclosures. With the global impact of climate change becoming increasingly evident, businesses and their value chains are facing growing impacts. This trend partly explains why 3Degrees has witnessed a rapid increase in corporations and businesses taking meaningful action to address the climate crisis by setting clean energy and other climate-related goals over the past two decades. In fact, a 2023 report showed a 40 percent increase in the number of companies with net zero targets over 16 months, now representing 66% of the annual revenue of the world’s largest 2,000 companies. At the same time, as companies are setting goals, investors are seeking decision-useful information on how a company evaluates and mitigates the risks associated with climate change and how these factors may impact its current and long-term financial performance and position.
Source: 3Degrees
President Trump Issues Executive Order Targeting State Climate Programs
April 11, 2025
President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order (EO) that seeks to "unleash" domestic energy sources.
The EO directs the U.S. Attorney General to identify all state and local laws, regulations, causes of action, policies and practices (collectively, State Laws) that are burdening the identification, development, siting, production or use of domestic energy resources.
It also calls for prioritizing the identification of State Laws purporting to address "climate change" or involving "environmental, social, and governance" (ESG) initiatives, "environmental justice," carbon or "greenhouse gas" emissions, and funds to collect carbon penalties or carbon taxes.
Source: Holland & Knight
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SOCIAL
Hazardous Materials Registration
April 18, 2025
The 2025–2026 registration year begins officially on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year, with early registration opening May 1st. The updated 2025 registration brochure will be available in mid-April.
The tips below are intended to help you prepare for the upcoming 2025 registration year.
To avoid errors and processing delays, please do not submit your registrations for the 2025 registration year prior to May 1st. Any registrations submitted before this date will not be processed.
Online registration is the quickest and most effective way to obtain your Hazardous Materials Registration Certificate!
When renewing your registrations, please use your HM Company ID to avoid errors in typing business name and company address. If you don't know your HM Company ID, please contact our registration help desk for assistance by email register@dot.gov or phone. The registration help desk can be reached at the following numbers:
(202) 934-1630 for businesses beginning with the letters A–M
(202) 934-1631 for businesses beginning with the letters N–Z
Registrants should also contact the registration help desk for assistance with any of the following:
Confirming the status of registrations submitted by mail or ACH (registrants should allow up to 14 days for processing);
Assistance with locating previously-submitted registrations;
Assistance with financial payment issues, such as disputes, refunds, or other concerns.
Please submit only business contact information. Please note that the contact information you submit during the registration process, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, may be disclosed in response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552.
Source: PHMSA
GOVERNANCE
Scope 1-3 Reporting Jumps Despite Regulatory Shifts
April 30, 2025
Despite the fact that in 2025, companies saw a number of changes, including the rollback of the U.S. SEC climate disclosure rule and the introduction of the EU Omnibus Package, which eased reporting obligations, companies continue to report. This was the conclusion of the 2025 Scope 3 Report from Sphera.
The survey found that 87% of respondents report on emissions do so voluntarily, with a growing number including Scope 3 data in their disclosures. The report notes that even without binding legal requirements, organizations recognize the strategic, reputational and operational value of managing their carbon footprint in full.
European companies remain the most advanced in Scope 3 reporting, but U.S. and Asian firms are showing strong growth intentions. For the 47% of companies that do not currently report Scope 3, they have indicated that over the next two years they plan to report. And 26% intend to report but haven't yet established a specific timeline.
Source: EHS Today
Regulatory Shifts in ESG: What Comes Next for Companies?
April 12, 2025
The environmental, social & governance (ESG) regulatory landscape is increasingly fragmented, with federal climate disclosure rules stalled in the US, while state-level mandates gain momentum and EU regulations face uncertainty. This report analyzes the major US and international ESG disclosure regulations on corporate radars in 2025 and shares practical recommendations for governance and compliance.
Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG
April 3, 2025
In March 2025, the US formally rejected the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a set of 17 global objectives to address economic, social, environmental challenges. The US decision marks a significant departure from previous bipartisan support for multilateral sustainability frameworks. This report examines this policy shift and its potential implications for corporate sustainability efforts and the environment, social & governance (ESG) landscape.