The European Union (EU) Commission has published a draft set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the interpretation of certain provisions of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the first set of...more
On 24 July 2024, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") published an opinion on the sustainable finance regulatory framework (the "ESMA Opinion"), which outlines the ESMA's long-term vision for the functioning...more
On 24 July 2024, the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) published an opinion (the “Opinion”) outlining its long-term vision for the functioning of the European Union’s sustainable finance framework (the...more
Welcome to the Regulation Round Up, a regular bulletin highlighting the latest developments in UK and EU financial services regulation. Key developments in December 2023: 21 December - UK / Swiss Regulatory...more
The Commission has launched a far reaching consultation and review of SFDR, long expected by the industry. This bulletin provides an overview, as well as giving thought as to what we might see in terms of SFDR 2.0....more
The European Commission has published two consultation papers that seek views on the fundamental features and effectiveness of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). The purpose of both the targeted and the...more
Both opportunities and challenges have arisen for the asset management industry as a result of the rapid introduction of UK and EU sustainable finance regulation in recent years. The new requirements have been heightened in...more
There are useful takeaways for EU and non-EU firms arising from the European Supervisory Authorities’ (ESA) latest thinking on greenwashing. In June 2023, the ESAs issued progress reports examining greenwashing risks and...more
Over the last few months, the European Commission and the European Supervisory Authorities (“ESAs”) have published a number of press releases and reports that aim to clarify and provide further updates on concepts used within...more
On 13 June 2023, the European Commission published a new sustainable finance package. In particular the package of measures included (i) recommendations in respect of facilitating transition finance, (ii) a proposal in...more
At Cooley, we’re increasingly speaking to clients in the US, Asia and elsewhere who are surprised by the intensity of environmental, social and governance (ESG) requests and covenants coming from their investors. Often these...more
On June 13, 2023, the European Commission published “a new package of measures to build on and strengthen the foundations of the EU sustainable finance framework.” The aim is to ensure that the EU sustainable finance...more
On 12 April 2023 – less than four months after the RTS under SFDR came into effect and four weeks after a further amended version of the RTS went live, the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published a consultation...more
On 13 June 2023, the European Commission (the "Commission") published a significant sustainable finance package on EU Taxonomy, ESG ratings and transition finance. Expansion of Taxonomy Regulation framework - The...more
Go to any private equity event in the last 12 months, and “energy transition” will have been discussed, meaning the shift in energy production away from fossil‑based systems to low or zero carbon ones. As fund managers...more
Following the turn of the new year, our UK Regulatory specialists have examined the key regulatory developments in 2023 impacting a range of UK and European firms within the financial services sector. The key dates have been...more
On 10 March 2021,the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation ((EU) 2019/2088) ("SFDR") came into force. This imposes environmental, social and corporate governance (“ESG”) and reporting requirements on a wide range of...more
The German Financial Regulator, ("BaFin"), published guidance ("Guidance") on 5 September 2022, that provides some further clarity on various questions on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation ("SFDR"). BaFin has...more
With so many developments across the globe in the area of sustainability-related disclosures, we have looked back throughout May 2022 and summarised the key points coming out of the EU, UK and US....more
[co-author: Krishane Sri Rajkumar] On 6 April 2022, the European Commission finally adopted the regulatory technical standards (RTS) to supplement the Sustainability-Related Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the EU Taxonomy...more
On 6 April 2022, the European Commission (“Commission”) adopted the consolidated final regulatory technical standards (“RTS”) to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (2019/2088/EU) (“SFDR”) and the EU Taxonomy...more
On 6 April 2022, the European Commission has published the final Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) supplementing the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which shall apply from 1 January 2023. The RTS will...more
The EU’s Green Deal, adopted in 2019, calls for achieving net zero greenhouse-gas emissions in the EU by 2050 and other very ambitious goals. Meeting them will require very significant shifts in the economy worldwide over...more
Please join us for a new webinar series dedicated to Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) issues and how they will impact your business. To kick off the series, we will provide an introduction to European ESG...more
In this episode, which concludes our three-part EU ESG Considerations for Beginners miniseries, Akin Gump financial regulatory partner Ezra Zahabi looks at EU ESG developments and risks and what business should know about...more