A new joint publication with Client Earth on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive helps EU Members states prepare for a meaningful transposition, ahead of the European Commission's expected implementation guidelines for the Directive next year.
Today, we're publishing our updated legal analysis of the Directive, jointly produced with Client Earth, focusing on our recommendations for effective transposition, from civil liability obligations to empowering supervisory authorities.
The publication focuses on the environmental and climate-related scope and obligations of both the CSDDD and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), including their timelines for application, their due diligence obligations and climate transition plan requirement. The guidance also provides a clear picture of robust enforcement of the Directive, highlighting the critical role of administrative supervisory authorities, as well as civil liability and access to justice.
The EU Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are now officially a Delegated Regulation, having been agreed by the President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners. Barring an unexpected rejection by the co-legislators in the next two months (they can reject the standards, but cannot amend them), this is the final, fixed version of the ESRS.
The European Council has now agreed its negotiating mandate on SFDR 2.0. In several areas, it represents a significant regression from the Commission's proposal and the Parliament's subsequent draft report.
Climate risk is now a core business issue. Climate change is reshaping the business landscape, through physical disruptions to assets and operations, accelerating the urgent need to transition to a low-carbon economy. For companies of all sizes, understanding and managing these risks is no longer optional.