Key topics in Akin’s June 2024 Sustainability/ESG Policy and Regulatory Update include:
- Guidance on Voluntary Carbon Markets: The Biden administration released guidance aimed at improving the integrity of voluntary carbon markets. This guidance outlines principles to enhance the quality and reporting of carbon credits.
- ESMA's Final Guidance on Investment Fund Names: The European Securities and Markets Authority issued final guidance on the use of ESG- and sustainability-related terms in investment fund names, setting standards to prevent misleading claims.
- Delay in CSRD Enactment: The European Council announced a two-year delay in the full enactment of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, allowing companies additional time to comply with new reporting standards.
- Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea issued an advisory opinion on the responsibilities of states concerning climate change.
- Legal Actions Against Climate Change Lawsuits: Republican attorney generals in nineteen states have requested the Supreme Court to block several climate change-related lawsuits, highlighting ongoing legal debates over environmental policies.
To read more, and for a comprehensive overview of other recent ESG policy and regulatory developments and their implications, please click here.