Latest ESG and Sustainability Developments

The Sapporo Securities Exchange has announced that it will establish a market exclusively for institutional investors dealing in ESG bonds around the autumn of 2025.

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore’s key business association representing over 32,000 companies, released a statement asking regulators to delay climate-related disclosure requirements for smaller companies, set to begin from this year, by one to two years, to give businesses more time to prepare. The statement follows the announcement in early 2024 by the government of Singapore that it will implement mandatory climate-related reporting requirements for listed and large non-listed companies.

The Japanese Diet amended the Act on the Promoting Transition to the Decarbonized Growth Economic Structure (GX Promotion Act).

The Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (“SSBJ”) issues Inaugural Sustainability Disclosure Standards to be applied in Japan.

The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority issued a circular letter “Enhancing Disclosure Requirements for ESG Constituent Funds.”

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published the Adoption Practice Guide on Greentech in the Banking Sector.

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited’s enhanced climate-related disclosure requirements set out in its ESG Reporting Code came into effect.

The European Commission adopted the Delegated Act C(2025) 4568, amending the Taxonomy Disclosures, Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts and introducing major simplifications to the EU Taxonomy reporting framework for financial and non-financial undertakings.

The Council of the EU adopted its position on the Omnibus proposal to simplify CSRD and CS3D.

EFRAG published its Progress Report to simplify the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

The European Parliament and the Council reach a political agreement to simplify the CBAM.

The Council of the EU adopted its position on the Commission’s proposal to simplify CBAM.

The European Parliament adopted its position on the Commission’s proposal to simplify CBAM.

The European Commission adopted an Implementing Regulation on country classification under the EU Deforestation Regulation, with Annex with low and high risk countries and methodology.

The European Commission published its fourth Simplification Package (“Omnibus IV”), including to delay and simplify battery due diligence requirements.

The European Commission published its fourth Simplification Package (“Omnibus IV”), including for SMEs and SMCs.

The European Commission released its third Omnibus Simplification Package (“Omnibus III”) to simplify the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The European Commission adopted its working plan for 2025-2030 under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The EU Commission released a Commission Notice on the interpretation and implementation of certain legal provisions of the EU Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act, the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and the EU Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act.

The European Commission released its first Omnibus Simplification Package (“Omnibus I”) to to simplify CSRD and CS3D.

The European Commission released a proposal for CBAM simplification.

The European Commission released its second Omnibus Simplification Package (“Omnibus II”) to reduce administrative burdens in investment.

The European Commission issued guidelines to facilitate the harmonised application of provisions on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries and LMT batteries in Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.

The Directorate B of Carbon Markets & Clean Mobility of the European Commission released Guidance on Interpretation of Annex I of the EU ETS Directive (excl. aviation and maritime activities).

The EU adopted amendment to delay the date of application of the EU Deforestation Regulation.

The Directorate of Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission released a set of questions and answers on CBAM.

The European Commission released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) clarifying the interpretation of certain provisions on sustainability reporting according to CSRD.

The European Commission has published a Guidance Document on the implementation of the Deforestation Regulation.

The European Supervisory Authorities issued a joint statement including consolidated questions and answers (Q&A) on the SFDR (Regulation (EU) 2019/2088) and the SFDR Delegated Regulation (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288).

The Council adopted its position (“General Approach”) on the proposed Green Claims Directive.

The Directorate of General Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission released a guidance on CBAM Implementation.

The European Parliament adopted its position on the proposed Green Claims Directive.

The European Commission released a proposal for a new regulation which seeks to update and enhance the existing ELV Directive and extend the scope to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, including trucks and motorcycles.

The European Commission proposed the Green Claims Directive.

The European Commission released a set of questions and answers on the Anti-Forced Labour Regulation.

The European Commission issued a set of questions and Answers on the EU Taxonomy Complementary Climate Delegated Act covering certain nuclear and gas activities.

The European Commission issued a Commission Guidance notice on the interpretation and application of Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market.

The European Commission released a set of questions and answers on the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and on the Amendments to Delegated Acts on fiduciary duties, investment and insurance advice.

The European Commission issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions on the practical implementation of the EU Taxonomy Article 8 Delegated Act.