This week in responsible investing, anti-ESG Republican senators are planning a Project 2025-like attack on responsible investing should they retake the Senate in November, Unlocking America’s Future released a new analysis on the group behind the anti-ESG movement, and a new report shows that federal money is spurring a climate manufacturing renaissance in anti-ESG states.
That and more below:
Unlocking America’s Future released new research on Consumers’ Research, the shadowy group behind the anti-responsible investing movement.
From UAF’s release: “Consumers’ Research is at the epicenter of a network of billionaire activists leading well-funded, well-coordinated campaigns to attack responsible investing and climate risk disclosures. Leonard Leo and other shadow leaders of this broader effort weaponize false claims to block transparency, kill ESG policies, and protect wealthy special interests – despite deep research showing that responsible investing and standardized climate risk disclosures are good for transparency in the financial system, our environment, and retirees.”
Attorneys general who oppose ESG investing have accepted millions from the oil and gas industry.
From UAF’s analysis: Attorneys general from nineteen states wrote a letter in response to a July letter from the US Treasury Department warning that anti-responsible investing laws could harm law enforcement’s efforts to address money laundering and terrorist financing. The letter from the attorneys general accuses the Biden-Harris administration of fearmongering and proposes that the Treasury Department is “hijack[in] the financial system for their political ends.” However, the nineteen attorneys general who signed onto the letter have received over $8.7 million total from the oil and gas industry over their careers.
Anti-responsible investing senators in the pockets of big oil are planning their own anti-ESG Project 2025 if they take back the Senate.
From UAF’s ICYMI: The news of the Senators’ anti-ESG priorities comes amidst 13 straight months of record heat temperatures across the world, and despite “unprecedented demand” for low-carbon energy infrastructure that presents “mega force” market opportunities for America’s economy. According to Data For Progress, only 35% of voters think the government should prioritize oil and gas drilling on public lands. Instead, 58% think the government should prioritize clean energy.
Federal climate investments are spurring a “clean energy manufacturing renaissance” in anti-ESG states.
From UAF’s ICYMI: The United States is undergoing a “clean energy manufacturing renaissance” thanks to growing demand for responsible investing from American consumers, businesses, and investors, according to two new reports from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research and the American Clean Power Association (ACP). The new research found that, with support from government policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the U.S. clean energy industry has invested $75 billion since August 2022. In the same window, American businesses and consumers have spent $493 billion on products and factories involving clean technologies.
Read more:
- Consumers’ Research Spotlight: What You Should Know about the Shadow Leaders of Anti-ESG Attacks
- NEW ANALYSIS: The Attorneys General Defending Anti-ESG Laws Have Taken At Least $8.7 Million From The Oil & Gas Industry
- ICYMI: U.S. Senators in Pockets of Big Oil Billionaires Are Planning Their Own Anti-ESG Project 2025 Should They Take Senate in November
- ICYMI: New Reports Show Federal Climate Investments Are Spurring Private Sector ‘Clean Energy Manufacturing Renaissance’ In Anti-ESG States
