ESG and sustainability in the USA is alive and well, despite reports to the contrary.
U.S. states and regions have been addressing climate change in the absence of stronger federal action, with a wide range of policies adopted at the state and regional levels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The state-level approach is filling a gap while federal SEC climate disclosure rules remain unacted due to the current political climate in the USA.
The trend suggests that more states will likely introduce similar legislation, creating a patchwork of reporting requirements that companies operating across multiple states will need to navigate. Companies should prepare for these requirements now, as the California laws take effect in 2026, and other states may follow similar timelines.
Companies in the USA have always embraced sustainability, compliance and supplier transparency.
US companies have consistently demonstrated leadership in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges, often moving ahead of regulatory requirements and maintaining their commitments regardless of shifting political landscapes.
This proactive approach stems from a combination of factors including investor pressure, consumer demand, operational efficiency gains, and recognition that sustainable practices drive long-term business value. Major corporations like Microsoft, Google, and Apple have set ambitious carbon neutrality goals that extend well beyond current legal requirements, while companies across industries have invested billions in renewable energy, sustainable supply chains, and innovative technologies to reduce their environmental footprint.
The corporate embrace of sustainability extends far beyond environmental concerns to encompass comprehensive ESG frameworks.
Companies have voluntarily adopted supplier transparency initiatives, implementing rigorous auditing processes and requiring detailed reporting from their global supply chains even when not mandated by law.
This includes everything from conflict mineral sourcing to labor practices and environmental standards.
Similarly, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs have become integral to corporate strategies, with companies setting measurable goals for representation, pay equity, and inclusive workplace cultures.
These initiatives often exceed legal requirements and reflect a genuine understanding that diverse organizations perform better and are more innovative.
California is leading the way
California has been the pioneer in this space with two key laws:
SB 253 (Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act): Requires reporting about climate risks and GHG emissions for all US companies in scope – whether public or private, with reporting set to begin on January 1, 2026
SB 261: Focuses on climate-related financial risk reporting. California Air Resources Board (CARB) must adopt regulations by July 1, 2025, governing the disclosure of these emissions.
These laws apply to companies with annual revenues over $1 billion doing business in California and require third-party verification of emissions data.
DEI remains a focus but in a different way than before 2024.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in 2025 have evolved into a more sophisticated and strategically integrated approach, moving beyond the compliance-driven checkbox mentality of earlier years toward outcome-focused initiatives that directly tie to business performance and innovation.
Speeki has Ai driven technology solutions ready for deployment to US based companies to automate and simplify sustainability and compliance.
Reporting ready for CA carbon disclosure rules
Speeki has integrated reporting to meet CA 253 and CA261 with reporting direct from the Speeki platform.
Integrated whistleblowing and incident management
Explore embedded whistleblowing tools for incident reporting, surveys, disclosures and more. .
Ready for Assurance?
Through its accredited certification body subsidiary, Speeki provides ESG and sustainability assurance of your reporting.
Supplier transparency and due diligence with Speeki
Speeki has sustainability due diligence solutions embedded in the Speeki platform.
ESG insights
Explore our expert articles on implementing ESG, sustainability and compliance programmes in the USA.
Speeki helps companies gain true Enterprise Excellence with a range of solutions across compliance, governance, sustainability and ESG.
Need to reboot or enhance your whistleblowing programme?
Whistleblowing is part of governance: the ‘G’ in ESG. Most of the reporting and disclosure rules require a programme that works. We provide multi-language, app-based, leading-edge whistleblowing technology and help companies implement programmes according to best practices like ISO 37002.
Build, audit or enhance your anti-bribery and FCPA compliance
FCPA compliance is also part of the ‘G’ in ESG. With support from our consulting and assurance experts and the tools embedded inside Speeki, we can help build, rebuild, refresh, audit, and certify (against ISO 37001) your FCPA and anti-bribery programmes. With over 20 years in this area, our practical knowledge is extensive.
Human rights and modern-day slavery issues are top of mind
A statement on your website and a brief policy is not a human rights programme. The expectations of stakeholders and regulators are far beyond simple platitudes. We help build and document programmes inside Speeki that add value, meet all regulatory expectations, and ensure compliance.
Scott Lane
Scott Lane has supported Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years with practical and focused advice on key compliance, governance, human rights and risk areas. He has helped design, develop and implement solutions across a range of ESG and sustainability topics. With experience in energy management, GHG, information security, anti-bribery, governance and whistleblowing, he provides strategy and practical solutions that focus on generating value for companies and the planet.
Examples of how we can help US-based companies
Speeki is our software platform to aid US businesses in managing, reporting, and enhancing their ESG and sustainability practices. It provides an array of tools for data collection, metrics management, and incident reporting, and allows reporting to comply with evolving ESG reporting standards.
Speeki can help build a comprehensive system for the qualification of your suppliers with evolving human rights, environmental, information security, privacy, and anti-bribery requirements. From risk assessments to background checks and full on-site audits, Speeki has solutions to help manage risk.
Speeki Europe is an accredited* certification body that provides certifications in key compliance and governance areas. With a long history in certifications, we add value to companies to ensure their programmes are adequate, suitable, and effective for managing risk.
*American ANAB and French COFRAC: Comité Français d'Accreditation is the French accreditation body (Accreditation N° 4-0609. List of locations and scope available at www.cofrac.fr.)
Speeki has short pre-made courses in multiple languages to train employees and partners on key topics across ESG and sustainability. We also create custom courses and conduct on-site workshops around key topics. Training your employees and suppliers on key topics is essential to building awareness and changing behaviours.
Whether you have a simple policy and are looking to move to a programme, or you have an existing programme that you would like to enhance, Speeki has the requisite tools and skills to support your objectives. We are experts on the underlying risk areas and can help craft programmes that add value to your business.
Speeki audits and assures ESG and sustainability reports against known standards. Your board is accountable for assurance and oversight and will therefore want your key non-financial reports to be assured. Assurance is more than just 'adding up numbers'; it involves a deep understanding of underlying issues.
Your journey to Enterprise Excellence in compliance, sustainability and ESG begins here with Speeki.
