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Navigating the EU’s CS3D and CSRD: A New Era for Corporate Environmental Due Diligence and Reporting

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ClientEarth and Frank Bold bring you their ultimate legal CS3D analysis. It unpacks every single environmental element of the directive and can be used by national governments to unlock its potential in the next two years.

The recently adopted Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) is the first cross-sectoral legislation requiring large companies operating in the EU market to identify, prevent, and address adverse impacts on human rights and the environment. This includes impacts throughout their own operations, those of their subsidiaries, and their business partners in their value chains. Companies must also implement a climate change mitigation transition plan to align their business model and strategy with the transition to a sustainable economy and the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Furthermore, companies must externally communicate relevant information about their due diligence policies, processes, and activities, including findings and outcomes. For most companies subject to the CS3D, this reporting obligation is addressed by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which amended the Accounting Directive to require the disclosure of sustainability information.

For whom is this guide?

This guide aims at encouraging ambitious and robust transposition, implementation and enforcement of the CS3D by:

  • National parliamentarians and lawmakers
  • Law commissions and similar independent bodies called upon to propose legislation designed to transpose the CS3D
  • Executive officials tasked with drafting national legislation in compliance with EU laws
  • Companies themselves, that are seeking a better understanding of what these provisions mean

Why download this guide?

  • Get a better understanding of the provisions related to the environmental scope of CS3D and CSRD
  • Access clear recommendations on how to transpose the CS3D into national law
  • Foster wider coherence with the CSRD
  • Ensure a high level of protection of the environment by aligning with the OECD Guidelines and UNGPs

Find out more during the launch webinar

On September 24, we will hold a webinar presenting the key findings and recommendations of the analysis, specifically on the environmental scope of the CS3D as well as climate transition plans. 

We will also bring together sustainability experts and business to discuss the potential challenges ahead and the best practices linked to the implementation of Environmental Due Diligence. 

Look forward to hearing from: 

  • Quentin Mautray, Lawyer, ClientEarth
  • Julia Otten, Senior Policy Officer, Frank Bold
  • Barbara Bijelic, Head of Regulation and Standards, Responsible Business Conduct, OECD
  • Rafaela Brito, Senior Sustainability Expert, amfori
  • Richard Gardiner, Head of EU Policy, World Benchmarking Alliance
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Legal Analysis: Environmental Due Diligence and Reporting in the EU
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