The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially withdrawn two major ESG regulatory proposals, marking a significant retreat from the Biden-era push to strengthen sustainability oversight in financial markets. This decision signals a broader political and legal shift impacting the country’s carbon neutral strategy and climate-related financial regulation. 

The first abandoned rule—proposed in May 2022—sought to impose standardized ESG disclosures on investment advisers and funds. It would have required detailed reporting on ESG strategies, greenhouse gas emissions metrics, and standardized tables to enhance transparency and combat greenwashing. The SEC had previously warned that inconsistent ESG data made it harder for investors to align their portfolios with sustainability goals. Despite strong Democratic support, growing Republican opposition and legal challenges stalled the rule’s progress. 

Simultaneously, the SEC withdrew its 2022 proposal to revise shareholder proposal submission thresholds, intended to reverse a Trump-era rule that limited shareholder engagement on corporate climate and ESG issues. The recent dismissal of a related lawsuit further solidified the rollback of these reforms. 

The SEC’s latest decision adds to a string of recent climate regulation reversals, including its March decision to stop defending its climate risk disclosure rule in court. Similarly, the Department of Labor has announced plans to rescind and rewrite rules governing ESG considerations in retirement plans. 

This regulatory pullback may ease compliance burdens for fund managers but raises concerns about transparency for investors seeking clear ESG fund labeling and credible climate investment pathways. The withdrawal reflects mounting political pressure and deepening polarization over climate policy, as the U.S. reconsiders its role in global efforts to advance sustainable finance and meet carbon neutral strategy targets. Investors now face greater uncertainty as ESG oversight becomes increasingly fragmented. 

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https://esgnews.com/sec-drops-esg-disclosure-and-shareholder-proposal-rules-as-regulatory-rollbacks-accelerate/