This guide discusses important themes from the 2024 proxy season and developing trends we are monitoring for 2025. It also includes a “housekeeping checklist” designed to assist you as you prepare your proxy statement. For...more
We have gathered and examined data from AGM Notices published by FTSE 350 companies until November 2024. We have set out the approach companies have taken on a number of key aspects of their meetings, including the venues of...more
Despite the sense of relief that many companies initially felt with the SEC’s stay of its climate disclosure rules, the pause is unlikely to temper the forces demanding climate disclosures by other means. In the latest paper...more
The ISSB’s new two-year work plan aims to reduce complexity and build on market-leading frameworks and standards. ...more
In today’s interconnected global regulatory landscape, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are for organizations worldwide. While the European Union (EU) has always been a trailblazer in this arena, it is...more
In our previous alert The FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and Labelling Regime (SDR): A Flexible Regime for UK Private Fund Managers, we examined the final framework under policy statement PS23/16, on...more
On March 6, 2024, the SEC announced its long-awaited adoption of final rules regarding climate-related disclosures by public companies and in public offerings (the “Climate Rules”). The SEC dialed back the more prescriptive...more
On March 6, 2024, two years after the issuance of a proposing release and following more than 24,000 comment letters and 4,500 unique letters submitted in response, by a vote of 3-2, the U.S. Securities and Exchange...more
On March 21, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed expansive and controversial climate disclosure rules. Two years and 24,000 comment letters later, on March 6, 2024, the SEC voted 3-2 to adopt its...more
On March 6, 2024, in a 3-2 vote along party lines, the SEC adopted the long-awaited final rules on climate-related disclosures. The proposed rules faced intense public scrutiny over the last two years, with the SEC receiving...more
On March 6, 2024, in a 3-2 vote, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted final rules requiring registrants to disclose certain climate-related information in registration statements and annual reports. ...more
On 23 February 2024, the Investment Association (IA) issued its annual letter to FTSE 350 remuneration committee chairs providing an update on the IA’s Principles of Remuneration and emerging views on remuneration matters....more
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in green products and the promotion of sustainable objectives across the financial services industry. For example, we have seen much discussion of green loans, green...more
2023 saw terms like “ESG,” “greenwashing,” and “circular economy” come into common use. We also saw a tsunami of other environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related developments at the international, federal, and state...more
On September 18, 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures ("TNFD") released its final recommendations for disclosures on nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. The TNFD aims to...more
Welcome to Vinson & Elkins’ Securities and ESG Updates. Our aim is to provide insights into notable developments in securities reporting and the environmental, social and governance space over the quarter and, where...more
This February post noted the introduction of SB 261 which aimed at imposing climate-related financial risk reporting. In the ensuing months, the bill was amended seven times and garnered numerous supporters and opponents. ...more
On September 18, 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published recommendations for organizations’ assessment, management, and disclosure of nature-related issues (the Recommendations). These...more
ESG issues are front and centre in many sectors and many boardrooms. The UK real estate sector is no exception. Unsurprisingly, the principal focus has been on the “E”, with the environmental aspects of developing and...more
On 26 June 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB”) issued its first two sustainability standards, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. These standards, which incorporate the recommendations of the Task Force on...more
On 10 August 2023, the FCA published Primary Market Bulletin 45, which describes its process for developing its policy position in relation to the new ISSB standards and developing climate-related transition plan guidance for...more
The UK standards will aim to increase the comparability and value of reported information for investors. The UK government announced on 2 August 2023 that it will develop standards for company sustainability disclosures...more
In this second article in the series, we look at TCFD-aligned reporting and the TCFD recommendations: who they apply to, why they are needed and what is required by them....more
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) recently announced plans to change its methodology for its Environmental & Social Disclosure QualityScore (ISS QualityScore). The revised ISS QualityScore is expected to take effect...more