April ESG monthly Newsletter

Key highlights:

ESG REGULATORY UPDATES

• The IFRS Foundation released a roadmap to help countries adopt ISSB sustainability disclosure standards in a structured way.
• The new EU regulation on financial benchmarks reduces compliance burdens for SMEs by limiting obligations to significant benchmarks and expanding ESMA’s oversight role.
• Starting in 2027, companies will be required to use the new version to set both short- and long-term targets. The SBTi will provide a transition pathway to update scope 3 targets and avoid duplication.

INSIGHTFUL ESG RESEARCH

• Maritime decarbonization: The EU is analyzing innovative projects to reduce emissions in maritime and inland waterway transport through clean technologies and operational strategies.
• AI and the environment: The growing use of generative AI raises environmental concerns, driving the push for more sustainable digital models and infrastructure.
• EU green competitiveness: A report proposes an integrated strategy to strengthen European competitiveness through sustainable finance and technological innovation.
• McKinsey’s C-TIF framework: McKinsey’s model supports the assessment of climate transition impacts on the economy, health, employment, and competitiveness.

ESG NEWS

• The European Commission has initiated a review of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), tasking EFRAG to simplify them by October 31, 2025.
• The Trump administration warned some EU firms to comply with a US executive order banning DEI programs, even outside the US.