In a move pitched as part simplification, part survival strategy, EU member states have agreed to rein in some of the most ambitious corporate sustainability rules on the books, at least for now.
At a time when financial leaders are juggling cyber threats, inflation worries, and geopolitical rifts, Denmark’s central bank governor Signe Krogstrup is asking them to keep one eye firmly on the horizon, because the climate risks aren’t going anywhere. Speaking at the central bank’s climate conference on June 19, Krogstrup didn’t sugarcoat the moment.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has introduced a new voluntary framework designed to guide the disclosure of such risks by banks worldwide. This framework, which offers flexibility in its implementation, aims to enhance transparency around the potential financial impact of climate change on the banking sector.
The wave of ESG reporting triggered by the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is sweeping across Europe, with Denmark leading the charge. But while Danish companies are ahead of the curve, a new analysis reveals that achieving full compliance remains an ambitious and complex goal, even for the early movers.
Canada’s Competition Bureau has released its final guidelines aimed at curbing greenwashing, a growing concern in the marketing world. The new framework provides businesses with clear instructions on how to make legitimate environmental claims about their products and operations under the country’s amended Competition Act. This new set of rules comes on the heels of Canada’s broader push to address deceptive marketing practices, particularly those related to environmental sustainability.
The European Commission’s review of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is drawing attention, and one key player is making its voice heard loud and clear. The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has responded to the Commission's Call for Evidence, urging for a major rethink of the framework that governs ESG investing. At the heart of their message is simplification. According to the AFM, a clearer, more straightforward system will not only reduce the risk of greenwashing but also empower investors and regulators to make better decisions.
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is opening the door for UK stakeholders to shape the future of sustainability assurance. In a recent move to bring the UK into closer alignment with global practices, the FRC has launched a consultation on a proposed version of the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000. The consultation aims to gather feedback on the introduction of ISSA (UK) 5000, a voluntary framework designed to bring consistency and transparency to sustainability assurance in the UK market.