ESG Survey Reveals Consumers Still Demand Sustainability from Companies

Thanks for subscribing, and welcome to Good.News! In this weekly sustainability & ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) newsletter, we aim to?give you a boost of positivity.

?Sustainability isn’t all rainbows ?? and unicorns ??, but at Good.Lab , instead of piling on with the negativity, we’re here to celebrate the sustainability highs, ESG triumphs, and climate champions!

?Ready for your weekly dose of good news? Here are five compelling, good news stories to send you off into your weekend with some wind in your sails.

1. US Consumers Want Sustainable Companies

A new global survey finds that US consumers want the companies they buy from and invest in to be more sustainable and are willing to withdraw investments from companies they find to be environmentally or socially unethical. Based on the findings from the Global Strategy Group survey, pursuing ESG remains a smart strategy for companies in America, but they should be more specific about their ESG programs and tailor messaging to their audience.

2. Rare EPA Win in U.S. Supreme Court

In a rare Environmental Protection Agency Supreme Court win, the Supreme Court decided not to pause an EPA rule that will set limits on power plant carbon emissions. This decision indicates that the courts are not rejecting all environmental regulations, which could be promising for the pending SEC Climate Rule, which is currently undergoing court proceedings. Mid-market US companies should prepare for the likelihood of increased regulatory scrutiny on emissions and climate-related disclosures. ?

3.?New Guidelines for Carbon Markets

The carbon markets have seen many controversies in recent years. However, a new set of guidelines from?the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commissions on how carbon market derivatives are traded will bring more integrity to the market. These and other guidelines are beginning to clean up the voluntary carbon market, giving companies more confidence that carbon credits can be a reliable and effective part of their decarbonization plan.

4. EU Maintains Gas-Powered Vehicle Ban

The EU confirms that it will require all new vehicles after 2035 to be electric vehicles. This rule was expected to be pushed back, but it was maintained. It joins other regulators like California and the UK in keeping the 2035 deadline for their gas-powered car bans. From a US perspective, the California EV rule has been replicated by other states. These rules also include commercial vehicles, so companies should be aware of and prepare for them.

5. The Age of Electrification is Here

A new International Energy Agency report underscores the urgency for companies to consider eliminating fossil fuels from their operations. The report predicts an electrification boom in commercial buildings, EV adoption, data centers, and more. Companies that prioritize energy efficiency and adopt clean energy solutions will be better positioned to reduce costs, comply with emerging regulations, and meet growing consumer and investor expectations for low-carbon products and services.

?Stay tuned for next week's edition of Good.News, where we will bring even more uplifting tales of sustainability successes. Feel free to spread the positivity by sharing this newsletter with someone who could use a burst of good vibes in their day!