CSR News - July 2025

👉 CSRD: EFRAG unveils simplification strategy but EU extends ESRS revision deadline

The European Commission has extended the deadline for EFRAG’s advice on revising the ESRS to November 30, aiming to reduce the reporting burden by 50%. In June, EFRAG had already outlined six levers to simplify the standards, including streamlining double materiality and improving report interoperability.

Source: ESG Today, 07/03/2025

👉 EU Commission simplifies Taxonomy rules

The European Commission has adopted new measures to simplify how companies apply the EU Taxonomy, reducing administrative burdens while maintaining key climate and environmental goals. Key changes include materiality exemptions, simplified reporting, and reduced data requirements.

Source: Amanda Koefoed Simonsen, 07/05/2025

👉 GRI launches new climate and energy reporting standards

The GRI has introduced GRI 102: Climate Change and GRI 103: Energy to enhance corporate accountability on climate action. These standards focus on emissions reductions, just transition metrics, renewable energy use, and energy efficiency, aligning with global climate goals.

Source: ESG News, 06/26/2025

👉 UK releases draft Sustainability, Climate Reporting standards aligned with IFRS

The UK government has published draft UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS), based on ISSB's IFRS S1 and S2. Key amendments include a two-year "climate-first" relief for companies and the removal of delayed publication allowances to strengthen reporting links.

Source: ESG News, 06/26/2025

👉 A new WRI study shows that investing in climate adaptation delivers average returns of over 10 to 1, making it one of the most cost-effective strategies amid rising climate risks and limited global resources.

Source: WRI, 06/03/2025

👉 Allianz Global Investors will now permit defence investments in certain ESG funds, aligning with Europe’s evolving security landscape and reflecting a shift in ESG interpretations.

Source: ESG News, 06/04/2025

👉 The European Commission plans to postpone certain CSRD reporting requirements to 2028 for “wave 1” companies, initially expected to publish their first sustainability reports in 2025 for FY 2024.

Source: DAF Mag, 05/28/2025

👉 Beyond Green Bonds? Blue bonds are emerging as a key tool to scale up funding for ocean protection, answering growing calls for increased investment in marine ecosystems and sustainable blue economy initiatives.

Source: Financial Times, 06/09/2025

👉 Business and investors urge EU to target 90% GHG reduction by 2040. A joint letter co-signed by PRI and 14 other signatories, representing €2.6 trillion in assets, calls on the EU to adopt a science-based GHG reduction target of at least 90% by 2040. The target is seen as essential for economic opportunities and energy security.

Source: UNPRI, 06/04/2025

👉 A new tool launched to assess company transition plans. LBP AM has introduced the Transition Plan Score, a tool to systematically evaluate companies' transition plans, aligning them with international climate goals. This supports LBP AM's commitment to having 80% of its assets aligned with Paris Agreement targets by 2030.

Source: L'Info Durable, 07/03/2025

👉 PwC analyzes first CSRD sustainability reports and shares insights. One year after the CSRD’s implementation, PwC explores key lessons from wave 1 companies’ sustainability reports. New videos cover climate, environmental issues (including biodiversity), and social impacts, offering insights on regulatory and operational shifts.

Source: PWC, 06/26/2025

👉 EIOPA report on biodiversity risk management by insurers. EIOPA’s first European report maps current practices and challenges in managing biodiversity risks under Solvency II. Despite complexities, the report highlights promising insurer practices and identifies areas for further improvement to address biodiversity risks effectively.

Source: EIOPA, 06/30/2025