In a pivotal shift for corporate sustainability, businesses worldwide are moving beyond greenwashing, driven by increased scrutiny and demand for measurable environmental and social impact. For years, companies have relied on vague sustainability claims, green logos, and buzzwords to present an eco-friendly image without delivering substantial results. This practice, known as greenwashing, is now under…

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published the findings of its 2024 Common Supervisory Action (CSA) on ESG disclosures under the Benchmarks Regulation (BMR), marking a significant step in the EU’s ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and consistency in sustainable finance. The review, conducted in collaboration with national competent authorities, represents ESMA’s first…

In a significant shift from its long-standing domestic emissions strategy, the European Union is considering the inclusion of international carbon credits as part of its 2040 climate plan—a move that could reshape the region’s climate policy and ripple across global carbon markets. What’s on the table? ▫️ A potentially lower domestic emissions reduction target ▫️…

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sectors covered under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) declined by 5% in 2024, marking a major milestone—a 50% reduction since the system was launched in 2005, according to a new report published by the European Commission. The ETS, the EU’s flagship carbon pricing mechanism, targets high-emission sectors including…

In a pivotal decision, the European Parliament has officially voted to delay key deadlines for upcoming ESG regulations, providing companies across the EU with more time to prepare for compliance. Key Changes in EU ESG Regulation Timelines: CSRD Reporting Postponed Large companies and listed SMEs have been granted an additional two years to comply with…

The European Commission has directed the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to expedite revisions to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The move aims to ease compliance burdens for businesses while maintaining alignment with the European Green Deal’s sustainability objectives. The Commission has set a firm deadline…

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has just unveiled Regulatory Guide 280 (RG 280) – a critical resource for companies preparing for mandatory climate-related financial disclosures under Australia’s new sustainability reporting law. Who’s Affected? Large and medium-sized companies will need to comply with these new regulations. The largest entities—those with 500+ employees and $500M+…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) drive over 50% of the EU’s GDP and are responsible for 63% of enterprise emissions, yet they face significant hurdles in accessing sustainable finance due to regulatory complexity, high loan thresholds, and compliance burdens. To tackle these challenges, the Platform on Sustainable Finance (PSF) has introduced a voluntary “SME Sustainable…

The European Council has officially endorsed a key directive aimed at postponing corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, providing businesses with greater legal certainty and regulatory relief. The decision, part of the broader ‘Omnibus I’ simplification package, temporarily halts the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence…

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) have published a correspondence mapping between the CDP question bank and the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS E1), reinforcing the high level of interoperability between the two frameworks for climate disclosures. The new resource provides clear alignment between CDP disclosures and ESRS…