ESG

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.

A recent survey conducted by #WeAreEurope, in partnership with HEC Paris, reveals that most companies across Europe are not in favor of the European Commission’s “Omnibus” initiative, which proposes reducing the scope of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). While a majority of businesses express satisfaction with the CSRD in its current form, they have reservations about the Omnibus proposals, which aim to ease the regulatory burden on companies.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has opened a public consultation on proposed amendments to the European Commission’s Implementing Regulation on Pillar 3 disclosures under the CRR3. The consultation focuses on enhancing the transparency and consistency of disclosures related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, equity exposures, and the aggregate exposure to shadow banking entities.

The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) of Singapore recently introduced the Sustainability Reporting Body of Knowledge (SR BOK), a comprehensive guidebook designed to help training providers develop high-quality, ISSB-aligned sustainability reporting programmes. The initiative aims to address the growing demand for professionals skilled in preparing sustainability reports and climate disclosures, aligning with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and global regulatory trends.

In an address at the MAS-Banque de France Seminar during Ecosperity Week, Marcus Lim, Assistant Managing Director (Banking & Insurance) of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), talked about how sustainability isn’t just about preventing the inevitable collapse of systems, it’s about maintaining balance before we reach a tipping point.

In my previous article, Rethinking ESG: Rediscovering the Meaning of Stewardship, I explored the idea that ESG, at its core, is not a political tool or a passing trend but rather a commitment to stewardship—taking responsibility for the resources we use, the communities we affect, and the systems that govern our organizations. As we continue to see ESG become a focal point for both praise and criticism, it's essential that we reframe the conversation around its true meaning. In this follow-up, I’ll dig deeper into the layers of stewardship embedded within ESG, examining its practical application across the three pillars—environmental, social, and governance—and the critical role GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) plays in making this vision a reality.