Strategic Focus: ESG & Sustainability In The US
28 Mar, 2025
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Executive Summary
The 2024 election results ushered in a new political era in the US, with Republicans winning the presidency and both houses in Congress. With significant influence over the legislative and executive branches, the Trump administration has moved rapidly to reshape several federal policies. Many of these shifts – such as eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and reducing incentives for renewable energy – will directly affect firms’ sustainability efforts, while others – such as the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), changes in immigration policy and increased tariffs – will have broader impacts. Since the presidential inauguration in January 2025, President Trump has signed a flurry of Executive Orders (EOs); the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reversed course on its climate disclosure requirements; and states have taken action where the federal government has not. This report examines the administration’s early actions related to sustainability and offers insights on how firms can adapt in this shifting environment.
Summary for decision-makers
Uncertainty forms the backdrop to sustainability and climate disclosures in the US
The effects of the 2024 election were felt immediately
States will lead on climate-related disclosures, starting with California
Firms must navigate a fragmented landscape of other sustainability regulations at the state and federal levels
Businesses should not lose sight of sustainability goals
Uncertainty forms the backdrop to sustainability and climate disclosures in the US
The effects of the 2024 election were felt immediately
States will lead on climate-related disclosures, starting with California
Firms must navigate a fragmented landscape of other sustainability regulations at the state and federal levels
Businesses should not lose sight of sustainability goals
Figure 1. How President Trump acted on certain sustainability-related issues in his first six weeks
Figure 2. Examples of EOs issued by President Trump (January 20 to March 10, 2025)
Figure 3. Examples of directives from federal agencies (January 20 to March 10, 2025)
Figure 4. Key differences between the initial and consolidated California climate disclosure legislation
Figure 5. Comparison of the major state-led climate-related disclosure frameworks
Figure 2. Examples of EOs issued by President Trump (January 20 to March 10, 2025)
Figure 3. Examples of directives from federal agencies (January 20 to March 10, 2025)
Figure 4. Key differences between the initial and consolidated California climate disclosure legislation
Figure 5. Comparison of the major state-led climate-related disclosure frameworks
Booz Allen, Ingredion, Department of Transportation (DOT), Ropes & Gray, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Anheuser-Busch, California Air Resources Board (CARB), UPS, US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Tracera (formerly ESG Flo), Chevron, Federal Reserve Board, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Advocate Aurora Health, Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab, PepsiCo, FedEx, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Johns Hopkins University, Climate Mayors, New York State Senate, Prysmian, Kinder Morgan, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Qualcomm, Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), US District Court for Central District of California, Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), Army Corps of Engineers, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, US House of Representatives, Duke Energy, National Energy Dominance Council, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Shell, Forest Service, Carrier, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Chamber of Commerce, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), VISA, Pleiades Strategy, New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business, The Walt Disney Company, Department of the Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UN, The National Law Review, Enbridge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Citigroup, NASDAQ, US Senate, Supreme Court of the United States
About the Authors
Jessica Pransky
Principal Analyst
Jessica is a Principal Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice, which she joined in 2022. Her current research agenda covers ESG reporting and data manageme…
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Kim Knickle
Research Director, ESG & Sustainability
Kimberly Knickle is Research Director of the ESG & Sustainability practice at Verdantix. Her research areas encompass ESG regulations and reporting, ESG risk, supply chain…
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