Environment, Land & Resources

Category Archives: European Environmental and Public Law

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European Commission Consults on Further EU Taxonomy Environmental Objectives

The Commission is also consulting on proposed targeted amendments to the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and on the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 5 April 2023 the European Commission opened a consultation on its proposal for four additional environmental objectives under the EU Taxonomy Regulation[1] (the Taxonomy), including: … Continue Reading

European Commission Adopts Proposal to Promote Repair of Goods

As part of the European Green Deal ambitions, the proposal encourages sustainable consumption through additional incentives to repair products to reduce waste and emissions. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 22 March 2023, the European Commission (Commission) adopted a new proposal on common rules promoting the repair of goods (the … Continue Reading

European Commission Proposes Net Zero Industry Act and Critical Raw Materials Act

The proposals form part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan and aim to scale up technology and materials for the energy transition. By Paul A. Davies, Beatrice Lo, JP Sweny, Alexander Buckeridge-Hocking, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 16 March 2023, the European Commission (Commission) formally proposed two legislative initiatives and announced the development … Continue Reading

European Commission Releases Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan

The Plan aims to “simplify, accelerate and align incentives to preserve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EU as an investment location for the net-zero industry”[1]. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 1 February 2023, the European Commission (Commission) presented a proposal for a Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age (the … Continue Reading

European Parliament and European Council Reach Provisional Agreement on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee The CBAM would seek to mitigate carbon leakage through the imposition of a levy on carbon-intensive imports into the EU, while free allowances under EU ETS would be phased out. On 13 December 2022, negotiators from the European Parliament and European Council reached a provisional … Continue Reading

European Commission Launches Public Consultation on EU Chemicals Legislation

The Commission plans to adopt a proposal for a revised Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals in the last quarter of 2022. By Joachim Grittmann and Alexander Wilhelm On 20 January 2022, the European Commission opened a public consultation on revising Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and … Continue Reading

European Commission Releases Legislative Package to Meet Emissions Target

The package aims to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform the EU’s economy and society for a greener future. By Paul A. Davies, Nicola Higgs, David Little, Elisabetta Righini, JP Sweny, and Michael D. Green On 14 July 2021, the European Commission (the Commission) unveiled a long-awaited package … Continue Reading

European Commission Publishes New Green Bond Standard and Unveils Latest Sustainable Finance Strategy

The new green bond standard aims to hit EU Green Deal targets, address environmental challenges, and increase investment in sustainable activities.  By Paul Davies and Edward Kempson The European Commission (the Commission) recently issued two key announcements relating to the newly published EU Sustainable Finance Strategy (the Strategy) and the new EU Green Bond Standard … Continue Reading

UK Regulators Launch Discussion on Diversity and Inclusion

Discussion Paper opens debate on potential new rules to improve diversity in financial services. By Rob Moulton, David Berman, Paul Davies, and Charlotte Collins On 7 July 2021, the FCA, the PRA, and the Bank of England published a joint Discussion Paper on diversity and inclusion in the financial sector. The regulators, in particular the … Continue Reading

European Commission Reports on Climate Change Progress

A new report shows headway in reducing greenhouse gases and details the latest climate change policy developments. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 30 November 2020, the European Commission (EC) adopted the EU Climate Action Progress Report Kick-starting the journey towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 (the Report). The Report, which is … Continue Reading

UK Prime Minister Announces 10-Point Plan to Boost Green Economy

The plan promises 250,000 jobs and emphasises a “green industrial revolution” to stimulate a post-pandemic economic recovery. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 17 November 2020, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a ten-point plan as part of the government’s initiative to “build back better”. The plan aims to bolster the economy … Continue Reading

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Publishes 2020 Status Report

The annual report shows a considerable uptake in the adoption of climate-centred financial disclosures. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) published its Annual Report on TCFD-aligned disclosures by firms (Annual Report), on 29 October 2020. The TCFD was established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) … Continue Reading

Financial Reporting Council’s Climate Thematic Report Encourages Better Practices in Climate-Change Reporting

The FRC prompts boards, companies, and auditors to improve responses to climate change challenges through improved governance structure and narrative reporting. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 10 November 2020, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) published its findings (the Report) on its thematic review undertaken in 2020, concerning climate-related considerations that various … Continue Reading

European Commission Launches Consultation on Sustainable Corporate Governance

The proposed initiative would embed sustainability in companies’ corporate governance frameworks and their business strategies. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 26 October 2020, the European Commission (the Commission) launched a public consultation on a proposed sustainable corporate governance framework. The Commission is seeking views from a broad range of stakeholders, including, … Continue Reading

The EU’s 2021 Work Programme Features Green and Sustainable Initiatives

Making Europe greener, fairer, and more sustainable is at the heart of the European Commission’s new work programme. By Paul Davies, David Little, Michael D. Green, and Pierre Bichet On 19 October 2020, the European Commission (Commission) published its Work Programme (Programme) for 2021. The Programme — “A Union of vitality in a world of … Continue Reading

European Commission Updates 2030 Climate Target to Cut Emissions by 55%

The Commission’s 2030 Climate Target Plan sets out required actions for a number of sectors. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 17 September 2020, the European Commission (Commission) presented its 2030 Climate Target Plan, which calls for a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels; … Continue Reading

Climate Assembly UK Publishes 2050 Net Zero Target Recommendations

The UK citizens’ assembly identifies overarching principles and makes specific recommendations for achieving the environmental goal. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green Background The Climate Assembly UK has published its report on how the UK can achieve its statutory target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The report, which was released on … Continue Reading

European Commission Launches Consultation on Proposed Green Claims Regulation

Proposed regulation will require companies to substantiate their environmental footprint claims, seeking to ensure green claims are more reliable. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green Background On 27 August 2020, the European Commission (the Commission) launched a public consultation on a possible proposal on substantiating green claims about products or services. This follows … Continue Reading

UK Government Considers Proposed Law Tackling Illegal Deforestation

Consultations are underway on a proposed law to prohibit large UK businesses from using products sourced from illegally deforested lands. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 25 August 2020, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a consultation on a new law aimed at preventing large companies from using … Continue Reading
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