The ESG Insider newsletter compiles news and insights on environmental, social and governance developments driving change in business and investment decisions. Subscribe to our ESG Insider newsletter, and listen to the latest ESG Insider podcast on SoundCloud, Spotify or iTunes.
As shareholders exert pressure on oil and gas companies to bring aboard women across all levels of employment, leadership numbers are improving.
The number of women on boards within the industry has doubled since 2009. But some industry observers say companies need to do more if they want to appropriately tackle the challenges they face today, including climate and rising emissions. This week, our newsletter also digs into the continued tension over who will pay the costs to shut down coal plants across the U.S. And shareholder advocates expect more litigation and less transparency as a result of a recent rule change from Wall Street's top regulator.
Chart of the Week

Top Stories
Oil, gas sector struggling to attract, elevate women amid gender diversity gap
Across the oil-and-gas industry, companies are wrestling with how to boost the number of women in their organizations. Women account for less than 20% of the total workforce among oil and gas companies, according to a 2018 industry report.
Battling to close US coal plants, environmentalists align with utilities
Often at odds with electric utilities, environmental groups are pushing U.S. policymakers to ease utilities' financial concerns about closing coal plants early.
Shareholder advocates say new SEC policy to prompt litigation, less transparency
The top U.S. securities regulator recently unveiled plans to become more selective in how it weighs in on companies' requests to block shareholder proposals, a decision that shareholder advocates say could lead to more litigation between companies and their investors.
Environmental
EU green investment classification set for global rollout, UN group says
Global commission says climate change adaptation would reap big economic returns
Canada election campaign kicks off with energy, climate issues front and center
Gas industry tackles growing climate concerns, effects on businesses
Social
Executives at 145 U.S. companies press Senate to pass gun control laws
Companies with gender-diverse boards have higher credit ratings, Moody's finds
Google, NLRB reach settlement over employees' free speech
Governance
Green investment taxonomy could curb 'astonishing' inconsistency — U.S. regulator
California Senate passes bill to formalize 'gig' workers in blow to Uber, Lyft
European property CEOs urge sector to play greater role tackling public unrest
ESG Indexes

Upcoming Events
Climate Week NYC
The Climate Group
Sept. 23-29
New York
Impact Investor Forum
Global Impact Investing Network
Oct. 2-3
Amsterdam
ESG Integration Summit
Skytop Strategies
Oct. 17
Stockholm
Annual Forum on Green Finance and Investment
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Oct. 29-30
Paris
SRI30
The SRI Conference and Community
Nov. 11-15
Colorado Springs, Colo.
SASB Symposium
SASB
Dec. 3
New York
RI New York 2019
Responsible Investor
Dec. 4-5
New York
Questions or suggestions? Contact S&P Global Market Intelligence's ESG News team at ESGNews@spglobal.com.
