Insights

SFDR reform: short-term confusion, long-term global alignment

Cristian Echavarria Quiroga and Jose Luis Marchante The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (“SFDR”) is undergoing a significant transformation, with the European Commission introducing a new product categorisation scheme. This reform aims to streamline EU sustainability regulations, bringing them closer in alignment with the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (“SDR”). While the immediate impact will be uncertainty and market confusion, the long-term effect is expected to be greater clarity and consistency in sustainable finance disclosures.

The rising importance of internal carbon pricing

Douwe Miller, Associate (Amsterdam) Internal carbon pricing is gaining momentum, with over 1,000 companies already implementing the approach. By 2025, this number is expected to double, driven by CSRD disclosures. Carbon pricing is becoming integral to business strategy, directly linking sustainability with value creation.

Simpler EU sustainability reporting will drive greater corporate sustainability ambition

The European Commission will release new guidance on streamlined regulation in the next few weeks. If done correctly, this simplification can have real sustainability benefits.

The critical role of nature and biodiversity in shaping sustainable business practices

Daan Schipper, Director Northern Europe, and Alessandro Casoli, Head of Advisory and Deputy Head of UK Nature and biodiversity have often been overlooked in the shadow of climate change-related issues, despite humanity’s indispensable reliance on the ecosystem services they provide. Anthropogenic activities have placed immense pressure on nature, with factors such as pollution, land-use changes, and global warming already pushing one-fifth of ecosystems toward collapse, resulting in extreme biodiversity loss that threatens a crisis comparable to climate change (WWF, 2024).

Are you ready for the CSRD compliance deadline? The CSRD platform has you covered!

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) is ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability for businesses operating within the EU. With the January 2025 compliance deadline rapidly approaching, many companies are finding the process complex, requiring extensive disclosures in line with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (“ESRS”). The CSRD platform, Holtara’s latest solution, offers a seamless way for businesses to meet these demands.

Leading ESG business Holtara becomes EDCI Benchmark Partner

Holtara, the award-winning sustainability services brand, has announced it has expanded its relationship with the ESG Data Convergence Initiative (EDCI) and become an EDCI Benchmark Partner, enabling Holtara to include EDCI’s benchmarks on its platform.

COP29: Reflections and outlook on the next conference in Brazil

Anderson Zuo, Senior Analyst, and Elizabeth Andrews, Client Success Manager The 29th Conference of the Parties (“COP29”), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, marked another pivotal moment in global climate diplomacy. This summit was seen as an opportunity to push for stronger commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C. While notable advancements in climate financing were achieved, COP29 was also fraught with challenges and familiar divisions, showcasing the complexity of coming to a fair and effective global response to climate change.

Holtara launches new platform to help businesses meet CSRD requirements ahead of January compliance deadline

Holtara, one of the world’s leading ESG and sustainability businesses and part of the Apex Group, has launched its new CSRD Platform, Holtara.io, designed to help businesses comply with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

ESG Integrated Disclosure Project (“IDP”) Announces New Leadership Team and Updated Reporting Template