The EU Council has approved a delay in corporate sustainability reporting requirements until 2028. This decision is part of a broader effort to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses while maintaining the EU's commitment to sustainability.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are key players in Europe’s sustainability transition but face challenges in accessing green finance. A proposed SME Sustainable Finance Standard aims to streamline financing processes, making it easier for SMEs to secure funding for sustainability efforts.

A recent collision between a U.S.-flagged oil tanker and a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship in the North Sea has raised significant environmental concerns. The incident resulted in a massive fire and fuel spill, highlighting the immediate need to improve current safety measures.

Despite the new U.S. administration's anti-ESG stance, CFOs remain committed to sustainability. A recent survey from BDO reveals that many companies plan to maintain or even increase their sustainability investments.

The European automotive industry's path forward was a focal point of the Strategic Dialogue's second meeting on March 3rd, where innovation, clean mobility, and competitiveness took center stage. Key actions have been outlined to tackle pressing challenges and to ensure the industry stays ahead in the global arena.

The European Commission's Omnibus Proposal aims to simplify sustainability regulations, potentially saving billions and boosting investment. This initiative could significantly impact businesses and the EU's sustainability goals.

The European Commission has unveiled the Competitiveness Compass, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the EU's economic resilience and sustainability. This framework outlines key priorities and actions to drive competitiveness while addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has released comprehensive guidelines for banks to manage Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks. These guidelines aim to ensure the financial stability of institutions as the EU transitions towards a sustainable economy.

The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has proposed updates to the EU Taxonomy to simplify and expand its scope. These changes aim to enhance the usability and effectiveness of the classification system for sustainable economic activities.

The European Union has introduced groundbreaking regulations requiring all packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2030. This ambitious move aims to significantly reduce packaging waste and promote a circular economy.

Belgium has recently adopted the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), marking a pivotal moment for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) transparency in the region. This directive is set to transform how companies report their sustainability efforts, ensuring greater accountability and transparency.

On November 8, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a groundbreaking initiative to consolidate various ESG reporting obligations into a single regulation. This move follows the Budapest Declaration, which emphasized the need for a "simplification revolution" to create a clear, simple, and smart regulatory framework in the EU.

The European Union achieved an impressive 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, marking the largest annual drop in decades, second only to the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020.

The Climate Bonds Initiative and the European Mortgage Federation-European Covered Bond Council (EMF-ECBC) have partnered to develop standards that align EU covered bonds with the EU Taxonomy, promoting sustainable finance.

The European Commission has issued warnings to 17 EU member states for failing to implement the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by the July 2024 deadline. This directive aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability reporting across the EU.

The EU’s latest energy report reveals a remarkable 32.5% decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 1990, despite a 67% growth in the economy. This achievement highlights the EU’s successful integration of sustainability into its economic development strategies.

The European Commission (EC) has released a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to aid in the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These FAQs aim to clarify various aspects of the CSRD and the first set of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs), ensuring stakeholders can comply with regulatory requirements effectively.

The recent European Union (EU) parliamentary elections have caused ripples in the sustainable investing world. With a notable shift towards right-wing and nationalist parties, the future of the EU’s ambitious sustainable agenda is now uncertain. The 2019 EU elections were dubbed a “green wave,” but this time, the Greens suffered losses, reflecting voter disenchantment with the perceived costs of the green transition. Populist parties are skeptical of the EU’s climate agenda, potentially affecting policies like the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. The fate of the EU’s Green Deal hangs in the balance, as right-wing parties gain influence in the European Parliament.

The European Council has approved the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), overcoming earlier setbacks and revisions to mandate large companies to address their adverse impacts on human rights and the environment within their supply chains. Proposed by the European Commission in 2022, the directive aims to tackle issues like child labor, pollution, and deforestation while aligning businesses with the Paris Agreement's climate goals. Despite initial concerns from member states like Germany and Italy, the revised CSDDD, approved in March, reduces the number of affected companies by raising thresholds and implements a phased approach for compliance, starting with larger corporations in 2027 and extending to others by 2029. Though some provisions, such as financial incentives for climate transition plans, were removed, the directive stands as a significant measure in promoting corporate responsibility and sustainability within the EU.

In recent years, with the rise of Sustainability and ESG across policies and media across the globe, there has been a surge in companies making green claims. However, these claims are not always what they seem to be raising concerns around greenwashing and misleading practices. To address this issue, the European Parliament is passing more policies to fight against greenwashing and promote genuine sustainability and ESG efforts and claims.