The anti-ESG movement, with its epicenter in the U.S., is rapidly expanding its reach beyond financial and energy sectors to pressure companies across all industries.
A new report from Research and Markets, “Strategic Intelligence: The Anti-ESG Movement,” highlights that U.S. businesses, in particular, are struggling to navigate a climate of heightened political scrutiny and hostility toward environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.
The movement, a coalition opposing ESG investment and corporate regulations, gained traction in 2021 with a Texas law banning financial institutions from boycotting fossil fuel companies. The report notes that since President Trump’s re-election in November 2024, the efforts have accelerated, with the new administration taking aim at previous climate policies and DEI initiatives.
This has left companies in a challenging position, as they are now faced with the political risk of maintaining their ESG strategies while also being exposed to legal, financial, and reputational risks if they fail to do so. The report suggests this increasingly hostile environment presents a new opportunity for consulting services that can offer guidance on regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and strategic responses to help businesses navigate these complexities.
