ESG Archives - Veerless

Minimalist design in black and white featuring 25

February 4, 2026

Veerless’ 2025 ESG Rewind: A Year of Recalibration

For sustainability professionals, January marked both the start of the new year and the one year mark of a new administration with outsized impact on the sustainability space as well. As we walk into the second month of 2026, the Veerless team took some time to look back at 2025 and the shifts in sustainability we all felt this past year.

It’s no secret that political pressure in the U.S. affected sentiment around ESG for companies both stateside and around the world. But as strong as that influence was, it certainly wasn’t the only global trend affecting our field. Evolving global rules, shifts in expectations around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and other social topics, and louder conversations about the role of business in today’s global environment forced many organizations to retreat and recalibrate. “Wait and see” became a common adage for internal leaders and consulting leaders alike.

Katie Yoder

Top view of vintage books forming a circular pattern

ESG, Sustainability

January 5, 2026

Your 2026 ESG, Sustainability, and Corporate Responsibility Reading List

Some years are about learning new tools. Some years are about sharpening arguments. And some years are about survival. For many sustainability professionals, 2025 was the third option. So it won’t surprise you that many of my reads last year and recommendations are about learning how to live inside uncertainty without losing our moral footing.

If the early years of ESG were about proving relevance, and the middle years were about scaling systems, 2025 was the year many of us quietly asked: What actually holds when the noise gets louder, the timelines get shorter, and the answers stay maddeningly incomplete?

My hope as you put these on your 2026 reading list is that you find them steadying. They grapple with climate, capitalism, ethics, connection, and catastrophe — not to scare us senseless, but to help us stay human, grounded, and courageous in the work. You won’t find easy optimism here. You also won’t find despair. What you will find is perspective — ancient and modern, fictional and analytical — on how to keep going when clarity is partial and stakes are high.

Let’s dive in.

Marcy Twete

Overhead view of a workspace featuring a laptop, smartphone, coffee, and a book titled 'GRACE'.

ESG

September 26, 2025

From Clicks to Credibility: Rethinking Sustainability Reports with ESGPS

There’s a moment every year when a sustainability professional slams their laptop shut, stares at the ceiling, and mutters (or screams), “Why do we do this again?”

It’s June. Or maybe October. The final draft of your ESG report has just been turned into a glossy PDF with all the flair of a corporate brochure and none of the usability of, say, a toaster manual. The team is exhausted. You’ve debated whether to capitalize “Net Zero” seven times. Legal has deleted every adjective with a pulse. And now… it’s live.

Then comes the email from marketing that makes me want to scream into a complimentary NPR tote bag:
“Your ESG report received 4,000 clicks this year!”

Marcy Twete

Stack of design books on user experience and strategy, including titles like 'Universal Methods of Design', 'UX Strategy', and 'Designing Everyday Things'.

ESG

September 26, 2025

What is a UI/UX Interview, And Why Investors Needed One

Multiple years of research went into the report Veerless launched in Fall 2025, ESGPS: Navigating Investor-Ready Sustainability Reporting. After reviewing 1,000s of ESG and sustainability reports from around the world, we decided to focus this first iteration of ESGPS on investor stakeholders in particular. And when we asked ourselves how to learn from that community, we knew one thing for sure: a survey wouldn’t cut it.

Charlie Beck

Tall wooden bookshelf with vintage books and ladder

ESG, Policy, Sustainability

August 15, 2025

Friday 5 Faves — “CliFi” Novels, a New Genre of Climate Change Related Fiction

Most of my network knows I’m a prolific reader. Every year, I publish my annual list of sustainability, ESG, and CR-related books on LinkedIn in January and I’m grateful it’s become a “must read” for most of you. But I have been hiding a deep, dark secret about my reading for years – I’m a binge reader. I love to read more than anything, but I’ve had trouble doing it daily since I was a child. Instead, I go on reading binges during vacations, long weekends, Audibles on car rides, etc. But this year, I vowed to make a change. Instead of saving up 10+ books to read on vacation, I set a New Year’s resolution to read “25 minutes per day in 2025” and I’ve done it. Legit, I’m at 198 days in a streak. And I’ve read 67 books so far this year. I’m not even humble bragging, friends, I’m excited about it.

Marcy Twete

High voltage transmission towers standing in a field at sunset with a city skyline in the distance.

ESG, Net Zero, Policy, Sustainability

August 7, 2025

Power Surge – Thoughts From Aspen Ideas Week

After decades of stability, the U.S. power grid is at an inflection point. Driven by data centers, transportation electrification, and industrial growth, energy demand is expected to rise sharply by 25% by the year 2030 and 78% by 2050. This rise isn’t just a technical challenge; it’s a turning point for how we think about energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience.

This shift from stability to strain is already emerging in places like New York State, where the rapid adoption of EVs is pressuring local utilities to upgrade aging distribution systems. Many neighborhoods weren’t designed for the concentrated demand of multiple EVs charging at once, raising the risk of voltage drops, brownouts, or even outages. Without urgent investment, some areas may soon be unable to support these new loads.

Ann Thomas

European Union flag flying outdoors against a cloudy sky, symbolizing unity and European identity.

ESG, Net Zero, Reporting, Sustainability

July 22, 2025

Summer 2025 FAQ: The EU’s ESG Omnibus – What Just Happened, and Why It Matters

In early 2025, the European Commission introduced the “Omnibus” package—a sweeping two-part reform aimed at recalibrating the EU’s sprawling ESG rulebook. Dubbed by some as an ESG reality check, the package streamlines major sustainability frameworks like the CSRD, CSDDD, CBAM, and EU Taxonomy. The core idea? Refocus ESG requirements where they truly matter—targeting high-impact emitters, cutting bureaucratic noise, and giving companies more breathing room to invest in tangible decarbonization efforts. It’s not deregulation; it’s precision engineering for a more effective, less burdensome sustainability regime.

For companies navigating this shift, the implications are big. Many small and mid-sized firms are now out of scope, thresholds have risen, and compliance timelines have been pushed back. While some lament the reduced pressure on the value chain, others welcome the strategic clarity. The Omnibus may shrink the regulatory net, but it sharpens its teeth—zeroing in on the largest players who drive the bulk of emissions. For multinationals juggling EU, U.S., and California mandates, the message is clear: ESG compliance is no longer one-size-fits-all. It’s time for modular, adaptive strategies that prioritize impact over paperwork.

Katie Yoder

Lush green forest with COVID-19 alert icon overlay for environmental health awareness.

Climate Neutral, ESG

July 8, 2025

Veerless is Climate Neutral Certified – Again! 🌍 (2025)

We’re proud to announce that Veerless has officially re‑certified as Climate Neutral Certified in 2025 —affirming our unwavering commitment to measuring, reducing, and offsetting our organizational carbon footprint with transparency and rigor.

Marcy Twete

Draped colorful scarves wrapped around tree trunk for prayer or decoration.

DEI, ESG, Friday 5 Faves

June 19, 2025

5 Faves: Nonprofits at the Intersection of Sustainability and LGBTQ+ Advocacy 🌿🏳️‍🌈

This June, we’re honoring Pride Month with a deeper look at the powerful ways LGBTQ+ voices are shaping a more sustainable and just future. Earlier this month, we celebrated 5 LGBTQ+ Owned Brands creating meaningful impact through ethical fashion, clean beauty, and planet-friendly coffee. This week, we’re continuing our Pride series with a spotlight on nonprofits that live at the intersection of environmental justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

These five organizations are building inclusive outdoor communities, fighting for climate resilience, and amplifying queer voices in sustainability movements. Their work is both bold and necessary — and it deserves our support not just during Pride Month, but all year long.

Marcy Twete

Vibrant rainbow-colored wooden pathway with illuminated strips creating an artistic tunnel effect.

DEI, ESG, Friday 5 Faves

June 6, 2025

5 Faves: LGBTQ+ Owned Brands 🌈

Pride Month is here, and while we believe in supporting LGBTQ+ creators, entrepreneurs, and voices year-round, June offers a special moment to spotlight the changemakers leading with purpose and pride. For this week’s Friday 5 Faves, we’re celebrating LGBTQ+ owned brands that not only bring authenticity and innovation to their industries, but also prioritize sustainability, equity, and community empowerment.

From gender-inclusive fashion to climate-conscious caffeine, these brands are reimagining what it means to build a business that’s both values-led and vibrant. Whether you’re refreshing your skincare shelf or sipping ethically sourced coffee, these five standouts deserve a spot in your everyday routine — this month and beyond.

Marcy Twete