Why Did ESG Have To Die? - CleanTechnica

The article "Why Did ESG Have To Die?" from CleanTechnica discusses the decline of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in business and government policies, emphasizing the growing disillusionment with sustainability efforts. ESG, which encompasses environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance, was once seen as essential for managing climate risks and promoting ethical business practices. However, by 2025, political shifts—most notably under the Trump 2.0 administration—led to executive orders that actively undermined ESG initiatives, favoring fossil fuel industries and labeling ESG policies as threats to national security and economic stability. This political retreat, coupled with investor skepticism driven by poor ESG stock performance and greenwashing scandals, has caused a significant withdrawal of support for sustainable investing. The article highlights that this decline in ESG commitment comes at a critical time when climate change impacts are intensifying, with global temperatures rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and extreme weather events causing widespread damage. The weakening