ESG Investments: The US Regulatory Perspective

Please join us as we examine the complex regulatory landscape surrounding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing in the United States.

The ESG regulatory landscape includes oversight from the US Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as from state-level regulators. Federal regulators have been active in rulemaking and examinations and enforcement, shaping the ESG landscape and presenting compliance challenges for institutional investors (including retirement plans and state pension plans), asset managers, and companies in the investment and finance space.

Meanwhile, in recent years, states have been expanding their role in shaping ESG legislation. Dozens of states have proposed or enacted state-specific guidance that may significantly influence ESG investment strategies. The regulatory framework across states varies widely, with some jurisdictions offering robust support for ESG initiatives (e.g., California) while others adopt a more restrictive approach (e.g., Texas) in an effort to disincentivize investment in such initiatives.

In this first session of our ESG Investments global regulatory series, we will focus on the current ESG regulatory environment in the United States, including risks, challenges, and regulator focus areas.