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
Six legislative proposals from the Commission are intended to simplify environmental legislation.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Toon Dictus
On 10 December 2025, the European Commission (Commission) published the Environmental Omnibus, a package
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
On 16 December 2025, the European Parliament (Parliament) adopted the Detailed Omnibus Directive, which is
The proposed rule would scale back federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.
By Nikki Buffa, John C. Heintz, Michael G. Romey, Jennifer K. Roy, Lucas I. Quass, and Samantha Yeager
On November 17, 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers (USACE) (together with EPA, the Agencies) announced a proposed rule that would revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the
The rule positions the Railroad Commission of Texas as the primary permitting authority over Class VI wells and could expedite CCS projects in the state.
By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Jennifer K. Roy, Nolan Fargo, and Samantha Yeager
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Texas’s application to assume primary enforcement responsibility, or “primacy,” for Class VI underground injection control (UIC) wells within the state. Class VI UIC wells are used for the permanent
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation lifting moratorium on transportation of carbon dioxide by pipeline.
By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Marc T. Campopiano, Brian McCall, and Shawna Strecker
On October 10, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation aimed at boosting California’s carbon capture, removal, utilization and storage (CCUS) market. CCUS involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from point-sources — such as industrial facilities — transporting it, and injecting it into underground geological formations for permanent storage, enhanced oil recovery
With the new proposal, EPA seeks to limit the reporting burden on the chemical industry.
By Julia A. Hatcher, Tom Lee, and Hunter J. Kendrick
On November 10, 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its much anticipated proposed changes to what is often referred to as the “8(a)(7) Rule” that requires businesses to report on the manufacture and import of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).1 As the name suggests, the rule derives from
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