Although environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is happening on a global scale, it would be a mistake to assume that it is being approached the same around the world. The U.S. is embroiled in a politically charged pro- and anti‑ESG debate, while the U.K. and E.U. put forth increasingly sophisticated and rigid regulations to monitor ESG’s growing popularity. Alternatively, the Middle East’s favorable attitude toward ESG – as it dovetails with Shari’a-compliant investing – contrasts sharply with the comparatively nascent, and uncertain, stances toward ESG investing in Africa and Asia. Those differing approaches to ESG regulations around the globe were addressed in a webinar hosted by Morgan Lewis that was moderated by Carl A. Valenstein and featured his colleagues from the firm’s different global offices. The first article in a two-part series details the status of the SEC’s recent rulemaking efforts, the Commission’s enforcement practices targeting ESG issues and the latest on the state-level anti-ESG movement, along with updates on sustainability-related rulemaking and enforcement actions in the U.K. The second article summarizes the attitudes toward ESG and recent relevant initiatives in the E.U., Asia, Africa and the Middle East. See “SFDR Impact Analysis Finds Sustained Growth in E.U. Sustainability‑Focused Funds, Despite U.S. Headwinds” (Jun. 12, 2025); and “ESMA’s Final Greenwashing Report Aims to Enhance Supervision” (Dec. 12, 2024).