Corporate America Is Going Un-Woke: Reversing DEI, Sustainability Plan

Unilever and other corporations are dialing back their commitments to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This shift, described as the "great un-wokening," is driven by backlash from conservative circles and underperformance of ESG funds. Companies are now increasingly prioritizing shareholder interests and downplaying their social and political stances, especially during election years.

The fear of negative publicity and financial repercussions has led to a significant reduction in public mentions of ESG and DEI by major companies. High-profile incidents, like Bud Light's partnership backlash, have made companies cautious. This trend reflects a broader reevaluation of corporate activism, with firms like Google even dismissing employees involved in protests, signaling a stronger focus on business over social advocacy.