The EU Regulation on the Reduction of Methane emissions in the Energy sector ("MERR") seeks to reduce methane emissions from the EU's fossil fuel production and import. The MERR includes obligations to report on and limit the...more
The European Commission published an "Omnibus" package of proposed changes on 26 February, marking the start of a process that could result in significant changes to key EU laws on sustainability reporting, diligence and...more
3/10/2025
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Climate Change ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Corporate Governance ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Supply Chain ,
Sustainability ,
Taxonomy
The new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation1 ("ESPR"), which entered into force on 18 July 2024, is set to significantly reshape the regulatory landscape for companies operating in the European Union ("EU"). As part...more
The European Commission is expected to unveil an "Omnibus package" that would modify certain key EU laws on sustainability reporting, towards the end of February. The reported aim is to simplify sustainability-related...more
The EU's new Deforestation Regulation requires companies trading in cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood, as well as products derived from these commodities, to conduct extensive diligence on the value chain...more
In December 2024, representatives from the European Commission, Council of the EU and Parliament agreed a compromise that will delay the application of the Deforestation Regulation by 12 months....more
This week witnessed the launch of the EU’s second renewable hydrogen auction. Building on the first auction in 2023, this important milestone will see up to €1.2 billion made available to support the development of a green...more
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ('UNFCCC') ('COP29') adopted decisions on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. After nearly a decade of negotiations, the outcome of...more
On 19 November 2024, a new EU regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour from being sold on the Union market (the "Forced Labour Regulation") was formally adopted by the Council of the European Union. This was...more
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ('COP29') may offer opportunities for key stakeholders to foster international cooperation on using market-based cooperative...more
Following pressure from global partners and stakeholders about the imminent entry into effect of the EU's 2023 regulation requiring that certain products sold in the EU be 'deforestation-free', the European Commission has...more
After a two-and-half-year legislative journey, the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive ("CSDDD"), has been formally adopted, and was published in the EU Official Journal on 5 July 2024.1 It will come into...more
7/5/2024
/ Corporate Governance ,
Corporate Social Responsibility ,
Due Diligence ,
Enforcement ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
Human Rights ,
New Rules ,
Penalties ,
Popular ,
Proposed Rules ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Sustainability
The Bonn Climate Change Conference saw limited progress resolving open issues related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which aims to incentivize international cooperation in mitigating climate change through carbon credit...more
The 60th sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Subsidiary Body for Implementation and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice from 3 to 13 June 2024 in Bonn, Germany (the "Bonn...more
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ("CBAM") reporting obligations started applying from 1 October 2023. As the first reports are due in January 2024, the Commission has released a list of some of the most frequently...more
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (the "CBAM") reporting obligations started applying from 1 October 2023. The final CBAM Implementing Regulation introduces further insight and key clarifications.
The CBAM...more
A new batteries regulation will impact the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries manufactured or sold in the European Union. The new rules extend producer responsibility and require due diligence...more
The application of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ("CBAM") is fast approaching for importers and manufacturers of products in the cement, fertiliser, iron, steel, aluminium, hydrogen and electricity producing...more
The European Commission has proposed a directive on regulating so-called 'Green Claims', that lays down detailed rules on the substantiation, communication and verification of voluntary environmental claims and environmental...more
On 9 March 2023, the European Commission adopted the Temporary Crisis and Transition State aid Framework ("TCTF") aimed at boosting and retaining clean tech investments in Europe. The TCTF marks an unprecedented loosening of...more
3/28/2023
/ Batteries ,
Carbon Capture and Sequestration ,
Clean Energy ,
Energy Sector ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
European Economic Area (EEA) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Renewable Energy ,
Solar Panels ,
Technology Sector ,
Wind Power
On December 13, 2022, the Council of the European Union ("the Council") and European Parliament came to a provisional agreement on the final text of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ("CBAM") regulation. The compromise...more
The European Parliament and Council of the European Union have reached an agreement on the text of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism regulation and the directive providing an updated EU Emissions Trading System....more
12/28/2022
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Carbon Taxes ,
Climate Change ,
Emissions Trading System ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Imports ,
Popular ,
Supply Chain
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ("CSRD") was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 16 December 2022, having been formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council of the European...more
A look at three key regulatory developments in the EU and US - proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and Reporting Directives and US SEC Climate Change Disclosure Rules...more
7/15/2022
/ Climate Change ,
Corporate Counsel ,
CSDR ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Due Diligence ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Sustainability
The EU "Fit for 55" package, if adopted, will significantly reshape environmental regulation in Europe, with impact beyond the EU's borders. In this alert, we focus on developments in two of the most impactful files, the...more
7/8/2022
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Carbon Taxes ,
Climate Change ,
Emissions Trading System ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Imports ,
Popular ,
Supply Chain