Executive Brief • January 22, 2026
NAEM
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968)
American civil rights activist
Fear at Work is a Hidden Safety Risk — and It Helps Explain Why Hazards Go Unreported
Psychological safety—the belief that it is safe to speak up with concerns, questions or mistakes—is widely recognized as essential for organizational learning, innovation, and workplace safety. Yet its absence—interpersonal fear—is rarely examined in investigations of serious workplace incidents.
The Conversation

The EPA is Changing How It Considers the Costs and Benefits of Air Pollution Rules
For years, the Environmental Protection Agency has assigned a dollar value to the lives saved and the health problems avoided through many of its environmental regulations. Now, that has changed.
NPR

ESG and Sustainability Insights: 10 Things That Should Be Top of Mind in 2026
This year we expect ESG/sustainability to be influenced by several macro trends, including technology, geopolitics, and capital markets.
Latham & Watkins

Federal Government Revokes Layoff Notices for NIOSH Staff
The federal government is reinstating hundreds of NIOSH employees, according to reports from multiple media outlets.
Safety+Health

The World Has Entered a New Era of ‘Water Bankruptcy’ with Irreversible Consequences
The global situation is so severe that terms like “water crisis” or “water stressed” fail to capture its magnitude, according to the report published by the United Nations University and based on a study in the journal Water Resources.
CNN

At Davos, Phasing Out Fossil Fuels Is No Longer Debatable
As leaders gather at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, they do so at a moment of real consequence for humanity’s shared future. The choices made now about energy, finance, and cooperation will shape not only climate outcomes, but economic resilience and global stability for decades to come.
TIME
 
NAEM Member Appreciation Week
January 26-30
NAEM 2026 Annual Member Meeting
NAEM Annual Member Meeting
January 27, 2026
1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Members Only

Learn how NAEM will help you benchmark and support your EHS, ESG, and Sustainability challenges in the year ahead.
 
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Calm and Confident: Leadership Lessons from the Edge
WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
Calm and Confident: Leadership Lessons from the Edge
January 28, 2026
1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Members Only

When everything is on the line, learn how to stay calm, focused, and intentional. Explorer and wildlife expert Kurdt Greenwood will translate hard-won lessons from the wild into strategies business leaders can apply in high-stakes environments today. These stories are more than thrilling—they’re a roadmap for how to thrive in uncertainty and lead with confidence, courage, and clarity this year.
 
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2026 Conferences
OPEX/TECH26 Conference
OPEX/TECH26 Conference
April 14 - 16, 2026
St. Petersburg, Florida

Learn best practices to improve your digital and technical strategies, as well as how to reduce risk, embed compliance in your business culture, and reach new levels of operational excellence. You’ll also explore a wide range of software and solutions to enhance your EHS management systems.

Interested in being a sponsor? Check out partnership opportunities by clicking here.
 
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NAEM Research
Webinar: EHS & Sustainability Staffing, Structure & Budget Insights
Set Yourself Up for Success in 2026
NAEM’s Staffing, Structure & Budget Report compares the EHS and Sustainability functions at nearly 150 companies by budget, structure, staffing, responsibilities, and more. Start benchmarking your EHS and Sustainability functions today!
 
FREE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EHS&S Job Opportunities
Construction Safety Technician (CHST Required)
Craft Contracting
Phoenix, AZ; Riverside, CA; Covington, GA; Boise, ID; Albuquerque, NM; Columbus, OH

Safety Specialist
Murata Machinery USA
Phoenix, AZ

Environmental Health & Safety Manager
Suffolk County Water Authority
Oakdale, NY