The European Council announced today the adoption of groundbreaking regulations to significantly reduce packaging waste across the EU. Key measures include a requirement for all packaging placed on the market to be recyclable by 2030. The decision marks the final legislative step following the European Parliament's approval in April 2024. Initially proposed by the European Commission…

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has released a new set of Questions and Answers (Q&As) to clarify the practical application of its Guidelines on funds' names using ESG or sustainability-related terms. The Q&As aim to promote consistency and a shared understanding among market participants and regulators on…

The European Commission will not ease its climate policies on car CO2 emissions despite mounting pressure from automakers, national governments, and the European People's Party (EPP), the bloc's largest political group. EU climate policy chief Wopke Hoekstra confirmed the stance in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. "No. The answer is no," Hoekstra said when asked…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Central Valley Meat Company Inc., resolving claims of violations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The Hanford-based meat processing company will pay $210,332 in civil penalties and implement substantial safety measures to align with federal…

The 7th Annual Energy Trading Enforcement Forum (ETEF) brought together over 75 representatives from the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), energy National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), and financial National Conduct Authorities (NCAs) to strengthen cooperation and alignment in the oversight of energy and financial markets. The…

Preparations are underway for the United Nations Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), set to take place in June 2025 in Seville, Spain. A recently published Elements Paper will guide these negotiations, emphasizing the critical role of sustainability reporting in aligning finance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper recommends that nations adopt…

Meta Platforms Inc. has announced a new agreement to purchase green energy credits from four large-scale solar energy projects in the United States, marking another significant step toward meeting its clean electricity objectives. As the demand for power from its data centers continues to grow, the company has increasingly focused on securing sustainable energy sources. The…

Negotiators from the European Union's key institutions reached a consensus on Tuesday to delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation by one year. The revised timeline sets the enforcement date for December 30, 2025, while maintaining the regulation’s original provisions without incorporating proposed amendments. The European Commission had proposed the delay in October, citing concerns…

The European Commission today revealed a significant investment plan, committing €4.6 billion toward decarbonization and renewable hydrogen projects. This funding, sourced through the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), underscores the Commission’s dedication to advancing the EU’s climate neutrality goals and strengthening the competitiveness of its green industries. Investment Overview Net Zero Technologies: Two calls for…

The European Commission has published a comprehensive set of FAQs to assist investors and companies in implementing the EU Taxonomy, the classification system for defining sustainable economic activities. The initiative aims to enhance usability and reduce the administrative burden associated with the EU’s sustainable finance framework. The EU Taxonomy is a cornerstone of the EU Action…

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has published its Final Comment Letter regarding the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB) Exposure Draft IASB/ED/2024/6, titled Climate-related and Other Uncertainties in the Financial Statements – Proposed Illustrative Examples (the “ED”). Support for IASB’s Illustrative Examples EFRAG expressed strong support for the IASB’s proposed examples, highlighting their potential to enhance the…

The Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Japan’s Sustainability Standards Board (SSBJ) have formalized their collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership, established during a meeting in Tokyo, aims to advance sustainability reporting practices and enhance corporate transparency in Japan and globally. Key Objectives of the MoU: …