The U.S., EU and UK have imposed significant new sanctions and are stepping up enforcement against sanctions evaders on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On February 23, 2024, the U.S....more
2/28/2024
/ Economic Sanctions ,
EU ,
Foreign Policy ,
Foreign Relations ,
Foreign Trade Regulations ,
Military Conflict ,
Russia ,
Sanction Violations ,
UK ,
Ukraine ,
Vladimir Putin ,
White Collar Crimes
On October 2, 2023, the EU markets regulator, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), published a study indicating that the proportion of investment funds in Europe using ESG-related terms in their fund names...more
At a September legal conference convened by the European Central Bank (ECB), Frank Elderson, a member of the ECB’s executive board and vice-chair of its supervisory board, observed the increasing risk of climate lawsuits and...more
On September 19, 2023, the European Parliament and European Council agreed on a proposed set of rules to ban misleading advertisements and enhance product information provided to consumers. “Empowering Consumers for the Green...more
In September 2023, the European Central Bank (ECB) published its second economy-wide stress test, shedding light on the credit risks that European banks may face as a result of the ongoing climate transition....more
On July 6, 2023, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), in collaboration with National Competent Authorities (NCAs), launched the Common Supervisory Action (CSA) aimed at assessing the compliance of supervised...more
On June 27, the European Parliament proposed amendments to legislation aimed at reducing pollution in Europe’s water bodies covering inland, transitional and coastal surface waters and groundwater, to better protect human...more
8/10/2023
/ Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
European Parliament ,
Green Deal ,
Groundwater ,
Infrastructure ,
Pollution Control ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Surface Water ,
Water Supplies
In progress reports to the European Commission (EC) published on June 1, 2023, the European Banking Authority (EBA), European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and European Securities and Markets Authority...more
On June 1, 2023, the European Parliament adopted amendments to the corporate sustainability due diligence regulation and amending directive. Under the amendments, large companies operating in the EU would be required to...more
6/7/2023
/ Biodiversity ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Due Diligence ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
EU Directive ,
European Parliament ,
Forced Labor ,
Human Rights ,
Paris Agreement ,
Sustainability ,
Sustainable Business Practices
On May 3, 2023, the European Council adopted its position and commented on a March 22, 2023 proposal to amend EU consumer rules targeting greenwashing. The proposal was submitted by the European Commission in March 2022 as...more
The European Commission has rejected suggestions that it introduce minimum environmental standards for Article 8 or Article 9 funds under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). On April 14, 2023, the...more
5/15/2023
/ Asset Management ,
Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) ,
Investment Adviser ,
Investment Funds ,
SFDR ,
Sustainability
As we have been regularly reporting, the European Union is pursuing major changes in its climate policy. The next significant development is a new legislative policy package, dubbed “Fit for 55.” The planned reforms would...more
The European Commission has launched a public consultation and a call for evidence seeking opinions on the EU’s intermediary climate targets for 2040. This is a scheduled step in the EU’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions...more
5/8/2023
/ Air Pollution ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Financial Transactions ,
Green Deal ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Pollution Control ,
Public Consultations ,
Renewable Energy
On March 14, 2023, the European Parliament gave its final approval for member nations to implement stricter national targets relating to emissions reduction and the protection and expansion of CO2-absorbing natural ecosystems...more
On March 14, the European Commission (EC) announced a proposal to “revise the rules for electricity market design and for improving the EU protection against market manipulation in the wholesale energy market.” The proposals...more
3/27/2023
/ Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Electric Generation Suppliers ,
Electricity ,
Energy Reform ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Green New Deal ,
Infrastructure ,
Market Manipulation ,
Proposed Rules ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Renewable Energy
On February 13, 2023, as part of the European Commission’s Strategy for financing transition to a sustainable economy, the European Banking Authority (EBA) launched an industry survey seeking input on green loans and...more
3/6/2023
/ Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Banking Authority (EBA) ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Green Loans ,
Mortgages ,
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) ,
Sustainable Finance
On February 17, 2023, the European Commission granted approval for the Spanish and German governments to subsidize the construction of two renewable hydrogen-powered steel production facilities for Europe’s largest...more
3/3/2023
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
Foreign Subsidies ,
Germany ,
Infrastructure ,
Spain ,
State Aid ,
Steel Industry ,
Sustainable Business Practices
On January 16, 2023, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) announced the launch of a common supervisory action (CSA) in partnership with EU Member State national competent authorities (NCAs). The CSA will cover...more
2/13/2023
/ Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Greenwashing ,
Marketing ,
MiFID II ,
New Guidance ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Requirements
On February 1, the European Commission (EC) launched its Green Deal Industrial Plan to “enhance the competitiveness of Europe’s net-zero industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality.” According to the...more
2/3/2023
/ Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Energy & Climate Debates ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Financing ,
Green Deal ,
Green Infrastructure ,
Investment Funds ,
Net Zero ,
Sustainable Projects
It’s been just over a month since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and, along with the atrocities of the war hitting the headlines, a whole host of countries, led by the United States, United Kingdom and European...more