Republicans Seize on ‘Climate Collusion’ to Muzzle ESG Plans

Republican warnings that corporate ESG efforts could violate the nation’s antitrust laws are heightening some companies’ go-slow approach on climate efforts, and causing others to call for clearer federal guidance.

“General counsel are definitely concerned, frustrated, and feel they’re being thwarted from doing the right thing,” said Hill Wellford, a partner at Vinson & Elkins.

The pressure became more direct last week when five Republican senators warned the nation’s largest law firms to “fully inform” their clients of risks they would incur “by participating in climate cartels and other ill-advised ESG schemes.”

“Over the coming months and years, Congress will ...