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
The SEC has stated that a ruling would help it determine the relevance of future rulemaking.
By Betty Huber and Austin Pierce
On July 23, 2025 the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) submitted a status report ordered by the Eighth Circuit in April 2025 on the Commission’s plans with respect to the pending litigation challenging the SEC’s final climate disclosure rules (the Rules).
As a reminder, the SEC approved the Rules — which require companies to disclose
The methodology outlines a three-step approach for obtaining credits: retirement of coal-fired power plants, generation of replacement renewable electricity, and assurance of a just transition.
By JP Brisson, Michael Dreibelbis, Qingyi Pan, and Tal Carmeli
On May 6, 2025, Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) published a new methodology to generate Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) through an accelerated retirement of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs). The methodology, titled “VM0052: Accelerated Retirement of Coal-Fired Power Plants Using a Just Transition,”
The proposals are part of the broader “omnibus” initiative and would postpone due diligence obligations and introduce a “small mid-cap” category for in-scope companies.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus
On 21 May 2025, the European Commission (Commission) published two proposals affecting the timeline and scope of the Regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries (the Batteries Regulation, or EUBR), aimed at streamlining compliance and providing clarity for economic operators within the
The proposal targets large emissions sources and specific industries, focusing on data collection only.
By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Jean-Philippe Brisson, Betty M. Huber, Shawna Strecker, and Catherine G. Willis
On March 26, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) announced proposed regulations that would establish a mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting program for fuel suppliers, waste haulers and transporters, electric power entities, and certain other industries as well as large emissions sources located
The Coalition focuses on reducing regulatory burden in supply chain requirements, achieving net zero by 2045, and voluntary measures in environmental and resource management.
By Axel Schiemann, Stefan Bartz, Joachim Grittmann, and Falko Schmidt
Following the German federal election in February 2025, the new coalition consisting of CDU/CSU and SPD (the Coalition) has reached a coalition agreement, unveiled on April 9, 2025. This agreement marks the culmination of extensive negotiations and sets the agenda for the new
The scheme’s expansion to include the steel, cement, and aluminum smelting industries increases the program’s coverage to 60% of China’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
By Paul A. Davies, JP Brisson, Michael Green, and Qingyi Pan
On March 26, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (the MEE) published the “Work Plan for the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market Covering the Steel, Cement, and Aluminum Smelting Industries” (the Work Plan).1 The Work Plan expands the scope of
The updated guidance includes simplification measures allowing due diligence statements’ reuse, annual submission, and management by authorised representatives on behalf of companies.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus
On 15 April 2025, the European Commission (the Commission) announced measures to simplify the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is set to apply from 30 December 2025. This initiative is part of the Commission’s more general ongoing focus on streamlining
The order addresses various state-level initiatives deemed to burden the US energy sector.
By Betty M. Huber and Austin J. Pierce
On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach” (the Order). The Order asserts that state and local laws and policies covering various aspects of energy policy undermine American energy dominance and, by extension, national security. In response, Order calls for sweeping action by the federal government to combat such localized
The European Council has approved the Directive, which offers a temporary relief to companies facing requirements under the CSRD and CSDDD.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus
On 14 April 2025, the European Council formally approved the “Stop the Clock” Directive (the Directive), marking a crucial milestone in the European Union’s efforts to overhaul sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements for businesses. The Directive is the first part of the two-part