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Environment, Land & Resources

Insights and commentary on environmental issues and developments impacting business across the world

Environmental, Social, and Governance

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UK Government Publishes Final Sustainability and Climate-Related Reporting Standards

Posted on March 2, 2026
Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance
GettyImages-1468396766_50034

UK SRS S1 and S2 are now available for voluntary use, while the UK government considers which companies should be required to report under the new standards.

By Michael D. Green, Nicola Higgs, Betty M. Huber, Anne Mainwaring, James Bee, Toon Dictus, and Sara Sayma

On 25 February 2026, the UK government’s Department of Business and Trade (DBT) published the final UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS), along with feedback to DBT’s June 2025…

EU Sustainability Omnibus Published in the Official Journal

Posted on February 27, 2026
Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance, European Environmental and Public Law
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The publication marks the finalisation of the Sustainability Omnibus process, resulting in increased certainty for businesses.

By Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus

On 26 February 2026, the EU’s Omnibus I Directive, otherwise known as the Sustainability Omnibus, which introduces significant amendments to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The Directive will enter into force on 18 March…

UK Government Launches First PFAS Plan to Address and Mitigate Harmful Impacts

Posted on February 11, 2026
Posted in Chemical Regulation, Environmental, Social, and Governance
Men working at a chemical warehouse
  • The UK government’s PFAS Plan is built on three pillars: understanding PFAS sources, tackling PFAS pathways, and reducing ongoing exposure.
  • Initiatives under the plan focus on increased research, monitoring, and evaluation,
…

ESG and Sustainability Insights: 10 Things That Should Be Top of Mind in 2026

Posted on January 8, 2026
Posted in Air Quality and Climate Change, Environmental, Social, and Governance
Croatia, Plitvice lakes National Park

This year we expect ESG/sustainability to be influenced by several macro trends, including technology, geopolitics, and capital markets.

By Paul A. Davies, Betty M. Huber, and Michael D. Green

In 2026, we expect that business and legal leaders who successfully disentangle and separate economic, political, and legal risk with a clear strategic focus will be best able to capitalize on ESG/sustainability imperatives.

Interest rates are expected to fall across many key markets, which will likely lead to an…

European Commission Publishes Environmental Omnibus

Posted on December 18, 2025
Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance
European Union flags at Berlaymont building

Six legislative proposals from the Commission are intended to simplify environmental legislation.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus

Key Points:

  • Target areas for simplification include industrial emissions, circularity, extended producer responsibility, environmental assessments, and geospatial data.
  • The Environmental Omnibus will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for negotiation under the ordinary legislative procedure.

On 10 December 2025, the European Commission (Commission) published the Environmental Omnibus, a package…

European Institutions Reach Agreement on Sustainability Omnibus

Posted on December 18, 2025
Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance
Empty Seats in Assembly Room European Parliament

Following complex negotiations, the EU has agreed substantive changes to sustainability reporting and due diligence rules.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus

Key Points:

  • Major changes to the CSRD and CSDDD include narrowed scope, removal of the climate transition plan obligation, and targeted exemptions and timing reliefs.
  • The final text reflects compromises across the EU institutions.

On 16 December 2025, the European Parliament (Parliament) adopted the Detailed Omnibus Directive, which is…

European Commission Maintains 30 December 2025 Application Date for EU Deforestation Regulation

Posted on October 22, 2025
Posted in Environmental Regulation, Environmental, Social, and Governance
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The Commission has proposed new amendments to streamline EUDR obligations, while maintaining the application date for large and medium enterprises.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus

On 21 October 2025, the European Commission (Commission) announced a proposal introducing amendments designed to facilitate the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Notably, the Commission proposed to maintain the current application date of 30 December 2025 for large- and medium-sized enterprises, contrary to…

European Commission Proposes Further One-Year Delay to the EU Deforestation Regulation

Posted on October 2, 2025
Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance, European Environmental and Public Law
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A new proposal could delay the EUDR implementation to 30 December 2026, as the Commission cites IT concerns.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus

On 23 September 2025, the European Commission (Commission) announced that it will propose postponing the application of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by an additional year.

The Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy sent letters to the European Parliament and the Council indicating…

Singapore Signs Further Implementation Agreements and Announces Nature-Based Carbon Credit Projects

Posted on September 25, 2025
Posted in Carbon Offsets, Environmental, Social, and Governance, Voluntary Carbon Markets
Stock-Images-Places-Asia-Singapore-Singapore-Cityscape-1536x1169

Singapore continues to expand its list of approved host countries, carbon crediting programs, and methodologies that meet the established criteria.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, Farhana Sharmeen, James Bee, Kevin Mak, and Qingyi Pan

On September 16, 2025, Singapore signed an implementation agreement on carbon credits in cooperation with Vietnam, expanding the total number of executed implementation agreements to nine. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced: “Singapore is committed to channelling…

South Korea Reintroduces Human Rights and Due Diligence Act

Posted on August 7, 2025
Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance
High-rise buildings and blue sky Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

The reintroduction of South Korea’s due diligence law potentially marks a significant advancement for human rights and ESG initiatives in the region.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, Wonsuk (Steve) Kang, Farhana Sharmeen, and Jiou (Alex) Park

On June 13, 2025, South Korean Representative Jung Tae-Ho reintroduced the proposed “Bill for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment for Sustainable Business Management” (the Bill). The current draft of the Bill builds upon a similar…

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