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
Those who have had to navigate and consider the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) have faced its challenges and noted its deficiencies. Specifically, these have included data gaps, the SFDR’s use as a...more
The EU Taxonomy Regulation (the "Regulation") is a highly complex piece of legislation which sets out a classification framework in order to determine whether an economic activity carried out by an undertaking is...more
On May 3, 2024, the Interinstitutional Committee for the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (CITSB)—keeping with its goal of coordinating the development of the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy—published its first set of...more
In this week’s edition, the European Commission contacted 20 airlines requiring them to address potentially misleading or inaccurate green claims. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) launched its digital...more
How to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy is a hot regulatory topic for most major economies around the world – and is set to continue ascending the agenda in the years to come. As sustainability-related...more
Taxonomies will play a critical role in channelling investment towards sustainable activities. But while alignment between frameworks is critical , a one-size-fits-all approach can never be effective....more
Creating an effective regulatory framework will be critical to deliver Net Zero. But does that mean more – or less – regulation? From trade agreements to taxonomies, carbon adjustment mechanisms to corporate sustainability...more
The first edition of this paper was published on 22 August 2023. Since that date, the European Commission has finalized its guidance indicating that Article 8 of the Taxonomy Regulation and the Disclosures Delegated Act apply...more
The Taxonomy aims to define green and transition economic activities to identify and allocate capital to sustainable projects and initiatives. On 3 December 2023, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) unveiled the...more
REGULATORY ISSUES & UPDATES - Mandatory Climate Change Reporting Requirements Under the New European ESRS E1 - The implementation of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards poses risks for reporting companies,...more
The Situation: On October 5, 2023, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted the European Green Bond Regulation ("EuGB Regulation"), establishing a voluntary harmonized standard open to both EU and...more
The European Commission (the Commission) has published two consultations to both evaluate and assess enhancements to the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). Open until 15 December 2023, the Commission is...more
The EU’s Taxonomy Regulation entered into force on 12 July 2020. It created a framework relating to the reporting of environmental sustainability of economic activities and investments. It does this by defining various...more
The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is a European regulation that has applied directly in the EU (and EEA countries) since March 2021. The aim of the SFDR is to provide harmonised disclosure requirements,...more
On June 2, 2023, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) issued a draft letter requesting comments on the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) proposal to improve the international...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 13 June the European Commission (the Commission) published a new package of measures to bolster the EU sustainable finance framework. Its aim is to: “ensure that the EU sustainable finance framework continues to...more
The UK government (the “Government”) has long spoken of its commitment to tackling greenwashing and creating the world’s first net-zero emissions financial centre. Read more about this in our client alert on the “Green...more
The government published a new document outlining its existing and proposed objectives to develop the UK’s sustainable economy. On 30 March 2023, the UK government published an updated version of its Green Finance...more
The Commission is also consulting on proposed targeted amendments to the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and on the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act. On 5 April 2023 the European Commission opened a consultation on its...more
On March 8, 2023, 25 organizations wrote to the European Commission concerning its treatment of agriculture in the forthcoming Taxonomy Delegated Act, urging them to follow the advice published by their own expert group. The...more