In a strategic move to strengthen sustainability capabilities across sectors, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) has officially launched the Sustainability Reporting Body of Knowledge (SR BOK)—a national framework designed to guide training providers in delivering high-quality, globally aligned sustainability reporting programmes. This initiative marks a major step in aligning Singapore’s sustainability education ecosystem…

The European Commission is preparing a sweeping update to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), introducing a new wave of subsidies aimed at promoting water-efficient farming across the continent. Amid growing concerns over drought and water scarcity, the upcoming CAP revision will include targeted support to help farmers adapt to climate pressures while protecting Europe’s vital…

In a major move aimed at balancing environmental integrity with economic practicality, the European Union is moving forward with changes to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that will ease compliance burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) while continuing to cover 99% of import-related CO₂ emissions. The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has endorsed the…

A new set of Harmonized Circular Economy Finance Guidelines has been launched to close a persistent gap between businesses and financial institutions when it comes to investing in circular economy initiatives. Despite growing interest, many companies continue to underestimate the financial potential of circular practices, while investors face uncertainty over what qualifies as a fundable…

In a significant regulatory shift, the European Union has introduced updated enforcement guidelines to ensure sustainability disclosures are supervised with the same rigour as financial reporting. Effective 1 January 2025, national regulators across the EU will implement a harmonised enforcement approach under the Transparency Directive. The guidelines outline how regulators should: Select companies for…

New York State is setting a bold new standard in climate leadership. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a landmark $1 billion Sustainable Future Program as part of the FY 2026 Enacted Budget—marking the largest climate and sustainability investment in state history. Strategic Climate Investments The Sustainable Future Program will invest over $1 billion to…

EU Sustainability Rules Under Review: A Critical Moment for ESG Transparency The European Commission’s ongoing review of corporate sustainability disclosure requirements has triggered significant debate among investors, regulators, and sustainability advocates. Proposed amendments aimed at easing regulatory pressures on European businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—have been met with mixed reactions. While the initiative seeks to…

In a significant policy development for the automotive sector, the Council of the European Union has officially endorsed a key amendment to the CO₂ emissions regulations for new passenger cars and vans. The change introduces a three-year averaging rule, allowing manufacturers to meet their 2025 emissions targets based on the average performance over 2025, 2026,…

In a critical move for global ocean conservation, world leaders recently convened in New York to advance the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction—commonly known as the BBNJ Agreement. Hailed as one of the most significant environmental accords in recent history, the BBNJ Agreement seeks…

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its long-anticipated draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) under the newly adopted EU ESG Ratings Regulation, marking a significant step toward increased transparency, accountability, and consistency in the ESG ratings landscape. The draft rules, released for public consultation, aim to strengthen the integrity and reliability of ESG…

In a significant development for sustainability reporting, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has released an Exposure Draft proposing targeted amendments to IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. These changes are designed to support smoother implementation while maintaining the integrity and usefulness of disclosed information for investors. Focus on Practicality Without Compromising Transparency The proposed amendments reflect…