The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has endorsed key changes to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—a carbon pricing tool targeting high-emission imports like steel and cement. The move aims...
Air New Zealand has released revised 2030 climate targets, aiming to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 20% to 25% from 2019 levels—marking a shift from its earlier Science Based...
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly urged the European Union to cancel its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), signaling a potential reversal in Europe’s approach to ESG regulation. “We...
The Council of the European Union has endorsed a key amendment to CO₂ emissions regulations for new passenger cars and vans, granting automakers a more flexible path to meet 2025...
Capgemini has updated its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy to strengthen its long-term commitment to responsible growth, ethical leadership, and sustainable value creation. The policy now includes nine priorities,...
Euronext is leading a strategic shift in European capital markets by redefining ESG—traditionally known as Environmental, Social, and Governance—as Energy, Security, and Geostrategy. The move aims to channel investment into...
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against New York and Vermont, challenging their newly enacted “climate superfund” laws that seek to hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for...
India’s market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has introduced definitive guidelines for when and how ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings can be withdrawn by registered...
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has proposed significant amendments to its climate disclosure standard (IFRS S2), offering new reliefs primarily for financial sector companies. These changes are designed to...
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has launched a new ESG dashboard, offering centralized, comparable climate risk indicators for EU/EEA banks. The dashboard aims to strengthen monitoring and benchmarking of transition...
CSA Backs Away From Mandatory Climate Rules—for Now The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) announced it is pausing its work on implementing mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements, citing heightened economic and geopolitical...
The European Commission has adopted a 2025–2030 work plan under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Energy Labelling Regulation, setting the stage for sweeping sustainability rules across key...
The European Commission has rolled out a set of revisions to simplify implementation of its EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aiming to ease compliance burdens while maintaining its environmental objectives. The...
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published the findings of its 2024 Common Supervisory Action (CSA) on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures under the Benchmarks Regulation (BMR)....
What’s happening U.S. President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday directing the federal government to block state-level climate policies that restrict fossil fuel use or promote environmental...
The European Commission is weighing a major shift in its climate strategy — allowing international carbon credits to count toward its 2040 emissions goal, per sources familiar with the talks....
The EU is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050—while also driving global competitiveness. A new policy roadmap, The AI Opportunity for Europe’s Climate Goals, outlines how AI can help deliver...
The European Parliament has voted to adopt the European Commission’s “stop-the-clock” directive, delaying implementation timelines for key sustainability regulations: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due...
The SEC voted today to stop defending its rules requiring companies to disclose climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions. Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda called the disclosure requirements “costly and...
EU member states have approved the Council’s position on the “Stop-the-clock” mechanism aimed at simplifying EU sustainability regulations and enhancing business competitiveness. “Simplification is one of the priorities of the...
The SEC announced a six-month delay for funds to comply with the recently amended Investment Company Act “Names Rule,” which ensures fund investments match their advertised ESG or sustainability strategies....
This Week’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Headlines – U.S. & Europe | March 15, 2025. DEI policies continue to evolve across corporations in the U.S. and Europe, with some...
Britain’s top financial regulators have scrapped proposed new rules aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion in the financial sector, citing concerns over regulatory burdens on firms. The Prudential Regulation Authority...
Effective immediately, the Ontario government has imposed a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the United States, targeting power supplies to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. This measure responds directly...
The United States has officially withdrawn from the board of the United Nations’ “loss and damage” fund, designed to support nations devastated by climate-driven disasters. This decision was disclosed in...
The past week has seen significant developments in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies across multiple sectors, with corporations, government agencies, and public figures adjusting their approaches to DEI amid...
The European Commission has announced a plan to extend the compliance period for CO2 emissions targets from one year to three, giving automakers more time to meet stringent regulations and...
The past week has seen a significant shift in corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies across major industries, as companies respond to changing political and legal landscapes. High-profile firms,...
EU Simplifies Sustainability and Investment Rules The European Commission has unveiled two major legislative packages—Omnibus I and Omnibus II—aimed at reducing regulatory burdens, improving sustainability rules, and unlocking investment. The...
In an ESG News exclusive interview with Lawrence Paramasivam, the Senior Executive Director of Policy & Legal at the FSRA during Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), highlighted UAE’s Strategic Evolution...
A new study by Workiva Inc. finds that despite policy uncertainty, corporate leaders are doubling down on sustainability integration, recognizing its financial and strategic value. Leaders remain committed to sustainability...
The Intersection of Tax Policy and Media Financing The entertainment industry is undergoing a significant transformation, as sustainable tax incentives and structured investment vehicles redefine how film and television projects...
Investors managing a combined €6.6 trillion in assets are calling on the European Commission to uphold the integrity of the EU’s sustainable finance framework. Concerns are mounting that the upcoming...
The European Commission has launched the Competitiveness Compass, a strategic roadmap to drive technological leadership, economic resilience, and climate neutrality. The initiative addresses Europe’s lag in productivity growth by focusing...
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) have introduced integrated standards to strengthen sustainability reporting and assurance practices. These measures...
The European Commission is set to propose a ban on PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in consumer products, targeting their widespread use in items like cosmetics, non-stick pans, and industrial applications. Health...
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has launched a consultation on its draft Guidelines on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scenario analysis. The guidelines aim to guide institutions in adopting forward-looking...
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has released comprehensive guidelines on managing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks. These regulations target EU financial institutions, requiring robust governance to mitigate risks related...
The Platform on Sustainable Finance (PSF) has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on updates to the EU Taxonomy, the EU’s classification system for defining sustainable economic activities. The...
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS released final rules for the Clean Electricity Investment and Production Tax Credits under sections 45Y and 48E of the tax code. These...
Navigating Stricter EU Emissions Rules To comply with the EU’s 2025 carbon emissions rules, major automakers are partnering with electric vehicle (EV) leaders like Tesla and Polestar to pool CO₂...
Modernizing EU Construction Standards The European Union’s new Construction Products Regulation officially takes effect, replacing the 2011 rules to modernize the industry and boost competitiveness across the EU Single Market....
New York state has enacted a groundbreaking climate law to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law...
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has released updated plans for its sectoral standards targeting the oil and gas, chemicals, and power industries—three of the largest global emitters. These updates...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted California the authority to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations and low-NOx standards for heavy-duty and off-road vehicles. These...
The European Commission has introduced the Flight Emissions Label (FEL), a voluntary program offering airlines a standardized and transparent way to report flight emissions. Fully operational by July 2025, FEL...
Canada has entered a new era of sustainability reporting with the release of CSDS 1 and CSDS 2, now included in the CPA Canada Handbook – Sustainability. These standards, crafted...
The News: The European Parliament approved a one-year delay for the EU deforestation law, which aims to ban products sourced from deforested or degraded land. Initially set to take effect...
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a Q&A to provide clarity on the Guidelines for funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms. This guidance ensures a consistent...
The News: The European Union has finalized ambitious regulations requiring all packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2030. The comprehensive rules target the full lifecycle of packaging,emphasizing re-use, recycling, and...
The Story: The Hong Kong government unveiled a roadmap to implement the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards) across publicly accountable entities (PAEs) by 2028. This...
The Swiss Federal Council has launched a consultation on proposed updates to its sustainability-related disclosure rules, aimed at aligning with international developments and Switzerland’s climate targets. The consultation, initiated during...
The UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA) is calling for mandatory regulatory mandates to address persistent challenges in Scope 3 emissions disclosure, which account for up to 75% of most...
The European Union has agreed to delay the enforcement of its deforestation regulation by 12 months, moving the application date to December 30, 2025. This decision aims to provide additional...
EU Taxonomy FAQ: A Step Towards Usability The European Commission released a comprehensive FAQ document to aid in implementing the EU Taxonomy, its sustainability classification system. Aimed at reducing administrative...
Rising ESG Challenges for Canadian CEOs According to KPMG’s 2024 CEO Outlook, Canadian executives are placing sustainability at the forefront, driven by extreme weather events, disruptive technologies, regulatory changes, and...
The Council of the European Union has approved a groundbreaking regulation to enhance the transparency, consistency, and comparability of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings. This move aims to bolster...
The UK government has taken a significant step to regulate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings providers, aiming to bolster transparency and ensure robust oversight in a market set to...
The American Petroleum Institute (API), representing nearly 600 U.S. oil and natural gas companies, has released a policy wishlist for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. The platform focuses on reversing...
The European Parliament’s recent vote to delay the EU deforestation regulation signals a shift that could impact environmental and trade policies for years to come. While the law was originally...
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has released its 2024 progress report on climate-related financial disclosures, underscoring the strides made by global jurisdictions in implementing International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) disclosure...
California regulators are preparing to vote on amendments to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), a move that could intensify the push for low-carbon fuels to meet aggressive climate...
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has released its final report on the prudential treatment of sustainability risks under Solvency II, recommending increased capital requirements for insurers holding...
The European Union’s climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, reiterated the EU’s commitment to ending sales of CO2-emitting cars by 2035 and enforcing stricter CO2 limits for carmakers next year. This comes...
A recent report from RSM International highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by 200 Latin American businesses in adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2 for sustainability. The...
The Canadian government’s proposed regulations aim to cut emissions in the oil and gas sector by 35% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault clarified, “This goes...
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released its 2024 European Common Enforcement Priorities (ECEP) Statement, setting strict guidelines on corporate reporting requirements. This year’s priorities focus heavily on...
Key Impact Points: Majority of European Fund Assets Are Sustainability-Related Sustainability-related funds continue to represent the majority of European fund assets, totaling around EUR 8 trillion out of EUR 14...
Key Impact Points: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged New York-based investment adviser WisdomTree Asset Management Inc. with making misstatements and failing to comply with its own investment...
Key Impact Points: The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched its Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance (PSTF) at Sibos 2024 in Beijing. Developed in partnership with industry leaders, including...
Key Impact Points: Canada’s Net-Zero Plan Takes Shape The Canadian government has advanced two significant sustainable finance initiatives to ensure the country meets its ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2050....
Key Impact Points: Plans to build the UK’s first deep coal mine in over three decades have been blocked by the High Court. The mine, proposed for Whitehaven in Cumbria,...
Key Impact Points: Carlsberg Group’s ESG Journey with Deloitte As a global brewery leader, the Carlsberg Group has made significant strides in meeting its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets....
Key Impact Points: Morningstar Sustainalytics has announced significant updates to its suite of tools designed to assist investors and corporations with the evolving ESG regulatory landscape under the EU Sustainable...
Follow ESG News on LinkedIn This week, the EU and the US seemed to swap roles as California advanced its climate disclosure law, maintaining the 2026 reporting deadline for large...
The European Union has officially pushed back the enforcement of its pivotal Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), a move confirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Originally set...
The big picture: Italy’s antitrust agency has launched an investigation into Shein’s website operator, Infinite Styles Services Co., over potentially misleading environmental claims. The investigation targets Infinite Styles Services CO....
The European Commission is addressing gaps in the transposition of several EU directives across Member States. The lack of national measures hampers harmonized implementation and compliance with EU law. Here’s...
CFTC Introduces First Carbon Credit Market Guidelines The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has established its first-ever guidelines for trading voluntary carbon credit derivative contracts. This is a pivotal...
Deutsche Bank is set to strengthen its commitment to ocean conservation under its #BackBlue initiative, implementing updated due diligence requirements in Q4 2024. These updates mark a continuation of the...
Organizations are pushing forward with sustainability initiatives despite geopolitical turbulence. According to Capgemini Research Institute’s latest report, A World in Balance 2024: Accelerating Sustainability Amidst Geopolitical Challenges, regulatory frameworks and...
The Growing Role of ESG Ratings With 94% of investors relying on ESG ratings at least once a month, the influence of these tools in financial markets has surged. Despite...
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has extended the deadline for sustainable fund marketing rules to April 2025. This extension applies to the “naming and marketing” rules designed to curb...
The Big Picture Australia’s mandatory climate reporting starts January 1, 2025, following the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill. Royal Assent is expected...
Texas is facing a legal challenge from the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), a nonprofit organization advocating for environmentally sustainable business practices. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Austin’s federal...
India is on a path to significantly expand its bioeconomy, with projections indicating growth from $130 billion in 2024 to $300 billion by 2030. This expansion is driven by the...
TotalEnergies SE faced a significant setback when South Africa’s Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) ruled that the company’s sustainability claims were “misleading,” marking the first such challenge in the country. Fossil...
In the quest for a more sustainable and efficient energy future, data access is becoming as crucial as the energy itself. The Green Button Explorer, a tool developed by Mission:data...
The oil and gas (O&G) sector faces an urgent call to decarbonize. Responsible for 85% of CO2 emissions and a significant portion of global methane emissions, this industry holds a...
The UK government is set to propose a law in 2025 aimed at regulating providers of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings, a move that could reshape the landscape of...
China has released a comprehensive plan to standardize carbon emission calculations across key sectors to meet its carbon reduction targets. By the end of 2024, China will publish 70 national...
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market announced that current renewable energy methodologies won’t qualify for the high-integrity CCP® (Core Carbon Principles) label. These methodologies, representing nearly a third...
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) introduced the Energy Transition Measures and Other Amendments Bill to Parliament, aiming to amend the EMA Act, Electricity Act, and Gas Act. These...
MioTech is leveraging tougher ESG disclosure rules to expand its sustainability data and software services. Founder and CEO Jason Tu outlined plans for more partnerships to help clients meet regulatory...
In a landmark ruling, Australia’s Federal Court ordered Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited to pay an $7.4 million penalty for misleading claims about the sustainability of its superannuation investment options. Mercer...
For more from Tim Mohin, sign up for his newsletter here While there are still many questions about how all of these policies will work and interact, the time for implementation...
The number of plastic bags found on UK beaches has plummeted by 80% over the past decade, following the introduction of a mandatory fee for single-use carrier bags. According to...
Air New Zealand Adjusts Emission Goals Air New Zealand has retracted its 2030 emissions reduction target, citing delays in the delivery of fuel-efficient aircraft and the high cost of green...
In 2024, shareholder proposals on ESG and anti-ESG issues soared to record numbers, reaching 998 among Russell 3000 companies, surpassing 2023’s total of 947. Despite the increase, support remains inconsistent,...