ESG

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

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…

SEC Responds to Eighth Circuit, Asking Eighth Circuit to Rule on Climate Disclosure Litigation

Posted on July 31, 2025

Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance

Crystal world globe laying on miss surface

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…

European Commission Unveils Two Proposals Impacting the EU Batteries Regulation

Posted on May 28, 2025

Posted in Energy storage, Environmental, Social, and Governance, European Environmental and Public Law

All European Union flags in front of parliament eu

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…

New German Government Takes Office: Key Developments in ESG and Supply Chain Laws

Posted on April 22, 2025

Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance, European Environmental and Public Law

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…

China Expands Its National Carbon Emission Trading Scheme to More Industries

Posted on April 17, 2025

Posted in Carbon Offsets, China, Environmental, Social, and Governance, Power, Oil, Gas, and Minerals, Voluntary Carbon Markets

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…

European Commission Announces Simplifications to the Implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation

Posted on April 16, 2025

Posted in Air Quality and Climate Change, Environmental Regulation, Environmental, Social, and Governance, European Environmental and Public Law

Modern green building with innovative high rise vertical garden

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…

UK Government Issues Updated Modern Slavery Act Transparency Guidance: Key Takeaways for Businesses

Posted on March 31, 2025

Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance

The guidance clarifies obligations, shares steps businesses should take, and reinforces reporting to combat modern slavery.

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

On 25 March 2025, the UK Home Office published its updated Transparency in Supply Chains (TISC): Statutory Guidance (the Guidance), which provides new and detailed recommendations to help organisations comply with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA). The Guidance includes clearer expectations and practical tips designed…

ESG — US State-Level Developments for Private Capital and Financial Institutions

Posted on June 21, 2024

Posted in Environmental, Social, and Governance

Private capital providers, investors, asset managers, and financial institutions will likely continue to face a fragmented regulatory landscape on ESG matters.

By Betty M. Huber, Matthew Green, Henry Miller, Austin J. Pierce, Catherine G. Willis, and Sam Wong

Various US states have taken and continue to take action on ESG investing and other matters, with new variants emerging regularly. Some of the state bills, laws, and actions overlap thematically, and indeed some are based on…

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