The following posts provide a snapshot of selected UK, EU and global financial regulatory developments of interest to banks, investment firms, broker-dealers, market infrastructures, asset managers and corporates.
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EU Platform on Sustainable Finance publishes report on enhancing usability of EU Taxonomy framework
5 February 2025
The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has published a report on enhancing the usability of the EU's Taxonomy regime. The report takes account of the European Commission's stated ambition to streamline ESG reporting requirements through the proposed Omnibus simplification regulation. The Platform makes four core proposals for simplifying Taxonomy-related reporting.
Read more.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Commission communication on EU competitiveness compass
January 29, 2025
The European Commission has published a communication on a Competitiveness Compass for the EU, which sets out an action plan in response to the Draghi report published in September 2024. The communication sets out the framework for the Commission's work on competitiveness for the next five years and lists its initial priorities. One of the Commission's key aims is to reduce the regulatory burden, which for the financial services sector will include publishing, in February, the first of a series of Simplification Omnibus packages relating to sustainable finance reporting, sustainability due diligence and the sustainable finance taxonomy. Additionally in Q1 2025 the Commission will set a strategy on a Savings and Investments Union, followed by a set of specific proposals, which will aim to promote low-cost saving and investment products at EU level for retail investors. Longer term work includes removing barriers to consolidation of financial markets infrastructure and taxation barriers to cross-border investment, promoting the EU's securitization market, and pursuing the reform and harmonization of insolvency frameworks in the EU. A tentative agenda for forthcoming College of Commissioners' meetings indicates that the Commission will publish a communication on the Savings and Investments Union on March 19, 2025. -
EU Platform on Sustainable Finance makes recommendations on the development and assessment of corporate transition plans
January 23, 2025
The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has published a report on the development and assessment of corporate transition plans. The PSF identifies core elements for evaluating transition plans and makes recommendations to the European Commission on how best to improve the effectiveness of its policy framework and support the market's provision and access to transition finance. In its report, the PSF states that companies should clearly communicate to financial market participants any gaps and how they will be addressed. Financial market participants should then use credible and robust transition plans to help inform their investment and lending decisions, supporting companies in enhancing their plans over time.
The key recommendations addressed in the report include:- developing sectoral transition pathways for high-emitting sectors at the EU level, including technology roadmaps;
- providing guidance for selecting scenarios that can be used for credible science-based corporate target setting and transition planning;
- creating criteria for qualifying targets as credible and science-based;
Read more.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Financial Stability Board publishes work program for 2025
January 23, 2025
The Financial Stability Board has published its work program for 2025. Priority areas of work for 2025 include:- supporting global cooperation on financial stability: the FSB will continue monitoring global financial stability developments and the implications of emerging financial innovation, and conduct in-depth analysis on vulnerabilities in non-bank financial intermediation and climate change;
- enhancing the resilience of NBFI: while preserving its benefits, the FSB workstream includes finalizing policy recommendations on NBFI leverage, developing and beginning implementation of a medium-term workplan to address issues relating to non-bank data availability, use and quality and analyzing the resilience and functioning of the repo market;
- harnessing the benefits of digital innovation while containing its risks: the FSB will produce a thematic peer review on implementation of its crypto-asset recommendations, a report on how financial authorities can monitor AI adoption and assess related vulnerabilities, and finalize the format for incident reporting exchange;
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European Banking Authority publishes draft guidelines on ESG scenario analysis
January 16, 2025
The European Banking Authority has published a consultation paper on its draft guidelines on ESG scenario analysis. For institutions using the internal ratings-based approach for calculating the own funds requirements for credit risk, these guidelines are intended to specify the way in which ESG risks, and in particular, physical and transition risks stemming from climate change, are taken into account in the scenarios used for credit risk internal stress testing. They: (i) specify the different uses institutions should make of scenario analysis and propose a progressive and proportionate approach to incorporating scenario analysis into the institution management system; (ii) provide guidance on what is required before undertaking a scenario analysis and more specifically on the criteria for setting scenarios and identifying the transmission channels for translating climate risks into financial risks; and (iii) specify the distinctive features to be taken into account when conducting a climate stress test in addition to the requirements set out in the guidelines on institutions' stress testing and the use of scenarios to help define and adjust the institution's strategy and test the robustness of its business model to a range of plausible futures. These guidelines complement the EBA guidelines on the management of ESG risks, published earlier this month. The EBA will hold a virtual public hearing on the consultation on March 17, 2025, and the deadline for comments is April 16, 2025. The EBA plans for the guidelines to be finalized by the second half of 2025, and apply from January 11, 2026 to institutions other than small and non-complex institutions and, at the latest, from January 11, 2027 for SNCI. -
Financial Stability Board analytical framework and toolkit to assess climate-related vulnerabilities
January 16, 2025
The Financial Stability Board published a report containing a framework and analytical toolkit to assess climate-related vulnerabilities. The report introduces an analytical framework that the FSB will use to trace how physical and transition climate risks can be transmitted and amplified by the global financial system. The framework builds on the existing FSB Financial Stability Surveillance Framework and focuses on assessing climate-related vulnerabilities holistically, particularly from a cross-border and cross-sectoral point of view. The accompanying toolkit to the framework comprises three categories of metrics to monitor climate-related vulnerabilities from a forward-looking perspective. These are: (i) proxies to provide early signals on potential drivers of transition and physical risks; (ii) exposure metrics to gauge the extent of direct and indirect exposures in the real economy and the financial system; and (iii) risk metrics to quantify the impacts for financial institutions and the system as a whole. The FSB notes that while these metrics are already used by some FSB members domestically, various methodological and data challenges need to be overcome for them to be used for global monitoring. The FSB notes that the framework and toolkit are live documents, to be refined as understanding evolves on how climate-related vulnerabilities affect financial stability and as methodological and data issues are resolved. As such, the FSB will continue to develop the framework by operationalizing the toolkit and conducting in-depth analyses of specific climate vulnerabilities that may have global financial stability implications. -
European Banking Authority finalizes guidelines on management of ESG risks
January 9, 2025
The European Banking Authority has published its final guidelines on the management of ESG risks. The guidelines set out requirements for institutions for the identification, measurement, management, and monitoring of ESG risks, including through plans aimed at ensuring their resilience in the short, medium, and long term. The guidelines will apply from January 11, 2026, except for small and non-complex institutions for which the guidelines will apply at the latest from January 11, 2027.
The guidelines specify requirements regarding the internal processes and ESG risk management arrangements that institutions should have in place in accordance with the CRD VI. They also specify the content of plans to be prepared by institutions with a view to monitoring and addressing the financial risks stemming from ESG factors, including those arising from the adjustment process towards the objective of achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050. The EBA explains that these plans will support the preparedness of institutions for the transition and should be consistent with transition plans prepared or disclosed by institutions under other pieces of EU legislation.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
EU platform on sustainable finance draft report and call for feedback on activities and technical screening criteria to be updated or included in EU Taxonomy
January 8, 2025
The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has published a draft report on activities and technical screening criteria to be updated or included in the EU taxonomy, with a related call for feedback. The draft report, prepared by the Platform on Sustainable Finance's technical working group, is a deliverable required under the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Responses to the call for feedback may be submitted until February 5, 2025.
The draft report contains preliminary recommendations relating to: (i) the review of the criteria and analysis for the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act; (ii) new activities mandated by the European Commission; (iii) new activities mandated by the European Commission but not completed; and (iv) further recommendations for climate change adaptation.
The Platform on Sustainable Finance explains that the aim is to gather feedback and evidence from a wider set of stakeholders to improve the draft criteria and make them more robust and usable. However, the Platform on Sustainable Finance emphasizes that the call for feedback is not an official Commission consultation.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
EU technical advice on amendments to credit rating agency regulatory framework concerning ESG factors in credit rating methodologies
December 18, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published technical advice on revisions to Delegated Regulation (EU) 447/2012 and Annex I of the CRA Regulation. The proposed amendments are intended to ensure the better traceability on the incorporation of ESG factors in credit rating methodologies and better disclosure of the relevance of ESG factors to individual credit rating actions. The proposals address the need to update several provisions of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 447/2012 to reflect ESMA's supervisory observations. The technical advice includes ESMA's final proposals following the conclusion of the consultation conducted by ESMA and explains how this feedback has been considered in developing the final technical advice. In addition, Annex III provides ESMA's proposed amendments to Delegated Regulation (EU) No 447/2012 and Annex I of the CRA Regulation. -
EU Platform on Sustainable Finance report on categorization of products under Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation
December 17, 2024
The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has published a report on the categorization of products under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The Platform recommends categorizing products with the following sustainability strategies:- sustainable — contributions through Taxonomy-aligned Investments or Sustainable Investments with no significant harmful activities, or assets based on a more concise definition consistent with the EU Taxonomy;
- transition — investments or portfolios supporting the transition to net zero and a sustainable economy, avoiding carbon lock-ins, in line with the European Commission's recommendations on facilitating finance for the transition to a sustainable economy; and
- ESG collection — excluding significantly harmful investments/activities, investing in assets with better environmental and/or social criteria or applying various sustainability features. All other products should be identified as unclassified products.
The Platform recommends evaluating whether the scope of the categorization should go beyond the current SFDR, potentially categorizing all products and services under sustainability preferences in the Insurance Distribution Directive and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. The Platform also recommends that the European Commission develops a common understanding on impact investing in the EU sustainable finance framework and how it relates to the EU Taxonomy and thereafter determines how to integrate it in the categorization scheme. -
UK Financial Markets Standards Board transparency draft statement of good practice on the governance of sustainability-linked products
December 17, 2024
The Financial Markets Standards Board has published a consultation on its transparency draft of its statement of good practice on the governance of sustainability-linked products. SLPs are products whose financial and/or structural characteristics can vary depending on whether the user (i.e., borrower or issuer of, or counterparty to, SLPs) achieves specific sustainability or ESG objectives. They can be used for general corporate purposes, which allows many users (e.g., borrowers, issuers, or counterparties to sustainability-linked products) to access the sustainable finance market in a more flexible way. The FMSB's statement is intended to codify good practice for the governance of SLPs and support consistent approaches across asset classes and jurisdictions. It is hoped this will enhance the quality and integrity of SLPs; boost market confidence; help mitigate greenwashing risk; and support the development of a deeper, more robust sustainability-linked product market. The statement of good practice is intended to apply to service providers (e.g., firms acting as sustainability-linked loan lenders, bookrunners, or lead arrangers on a sustainability-linked bond issuance or counterparties to a sustainability-linked derivative) or users of SLPs in wholesale financial markets and to support, and be read in conjunction with, existing asset-class specific guidance (notably ICMA, LMA, and ISDA principles). The deadline for comments is February 21, 2025. -
European Securities and Markets Authority publishes Q&As on application of guidelines on funds' names using environmental, social, and governance or sustainability-related terms
December 13, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published three sets of Q&As to provide further detail on the guidelines on funds which use ESG or sustainability-related terms in their names. The guidelines relate to requirements under the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directive, the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, and the Cross-Border Distribution of Investment Funds Regulation to act honestly and fairly in conducting their business and to ensure marketing communications are fair, clear, and not misleading. The Q&As have been published separately for UCITS and AIFs but are identical in content.
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EU Regulation on environmental, social and governance rating activities published
December 12, 2024
Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 on the transparency and integrity of environmental, social and governance rating activities has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Regulation aims to strengthen the reliability and comparability of ESG ratings by improving the transparency and integrity of the operations that ESG ratings providers carry out and by preventing potential conflicts of interest. ESG ratings providers established in the EU will be authorized and supervised by European Securities and Markets Authority and will have to comply with transparency requirements, in particular with regard to their methodology and sources of information. The Regulation also introduces a requirement for the separation of business and activities to prevent conflicts of interest. The Regulation will enter into force on January 2, 2025. It will apply directly across the EU from July 2, 2026.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Commission Publishes Draft FAQs on EU Taxonomy Regulation
November 29, 2024
The European Commission has published a draft notice containing a set of FAQs on the interpretation and implementation of certain legal provisions of the EU Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act, the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and the EU Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act. Topics covered include: (i) the application of general taxonomy requirements and technical screening criteria for specific activities included in the Taxonomy Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts; (ii) the generic 'do no significant harm' criteria; and (iii) the reporting obligations for activities covered by the Climate Delegated Act and the Environmental Delegated Act. The Commission hopes that the document will improve the usability of the framework.
The draft notice has been approved in principle by the Commission and will be formally adopted once versions in all EU languages are ready.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Outcome of Basel Committee on Banking Supervision November 2024 Meeting
November 20, 2024
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has set out the outcomes from its meeting on November 19-20, 2024. Key takeaways include:- implementation of Basel III—committee members unanimously reaffirmed their expectation of implementing all aspects of the Basel III framework in full, consistently and as soon as possible;
- non-bank financial intermediation—the BCBS approved a final set of guidelines that seek to address weaknesses in banks' counterparty credit risk management exposed in recent episodes of NBFI distress. The finalized guidelines will be published next month;
- 2023 banking turmoil—an update on the BCBS's work to develop a suite of practical tools to support supervisors in their day-to-day work as part of its efforts to strengthen supervisory effectiveness in light of the lessons learned from last year's banking turmoil will be published in early 2025;
- macroprudential policy—the BCBS will publish a report on existing practices to support jurisdictions that wish to apply positive cycle-neutral rates when risks are judged to be neither subdued nor elevated. The report will be published next month; and
- climate-related financial risks—the BCBS anticipates finalizing its proposed Pillar 3 disclosure framework in H1 2025.
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Council of the European Union Adopts new Regulation on Environmental, Social, and Governance Rating Activities
November 19, 2024
The Council of the European Union has adopted the proposed Regulation on ESG rating activities. The new rules aim to strengthen the reliability and comparability of ESG ratings by improving the transparency and integrity of the operations that ESG ratings providers carry out, and by preventing potential conflicts of interest. In particular, ESG rating providers established in the EU will need to be authorized and supervised by ESMA. They will have to comply with transparency requirements, in particular with regard to their methodology and sources of information. The Regulation introduces as a principle a separation of business and activities in order to prevent conflicts of interest. The European Parliament approved the proposed Regulation in October. The Regulation will now be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, enter into force 20 days later and apply 18 months after its entry into force.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Supervisory Authorities and European Central Bank Publishes Results of "Fit-For-55" Climate Stress Test
November 19, 2024
The European Supervisory Authorities (European Securities and Markets Authority, European Banking Authority, and European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) and the European Central Bank have published the results of the one-off "Fit-For-55" climate scenario analysis. The EU's Fit-for-55 package aims to stimulate investment and innovation in the transition to a green economy and plays a crucial role in the EU's goal to achieve an emissions' reduction of 55% by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The climate stress test was conducted against three scenarios developed by the European Systemic Risk Board, with the support of the ECB. The scenarios incorporate transition risks as well as macroeconomic factors, under the assumption that the Fit-for-55 package is implemented as planned. Under the scenarios examined, transition risks alone are unlikely to threaten financial stability. However, when transition risks are combined with macroeconomic shocks, they can increase losses for financial institutions and may lead to disruptions. The report therefore calls for a coordinated policy approach to financing the green transition and the need for financial institutions to integrate climate risks into their risk management in a comprehensive and timely manner. The report notes that given the novelty of the methodological approaches and the data-related challenges, the results are subject to a large margin of uncertainty.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Financial Stability Board Publishes Letter to G20 Leaders and 2024 Annual Report
November 18, 2024
The Financial Stability Board has published a letter sent to the G20 leaders ahead of their meeting on November 18, 2024, together with the FSB 2024 annual report. The letter warns of ongoing vulnerabilities within the global financial system, illustrated by recent episodes of market turmoil and the failure of several banks and non-banks in recent years. The letter stresses the importance of effective implementation of the FSB's policies, emphasizing that authorities must not only put policies into national laws and regulations, but also build the capacity to operationalize them.
In the annual report, the FSB provides an overview of its work in its key priority areas, which include: (i) addressing lessons from the March 2023 banking turmoil; (ii) enhancing the resilience of non-bank financial intermediation; (iii) addressing financial risks from climate change; (iv) improving cross-border payments; (v) responding to technological innovation; and (vi) enhancing the resolvability of central counterparties. Looking ahead, the FSB will continue to focus on these priority areas and will also place an emphasis on: (a) implementation monitoring of its recommendations on crypto-asset activities and global stablecoin arrangements; (b) further work on resolution reforms; and (c) regular monitoring and progress reports on financial stability issues.
For more information on the issues and developments relating to FinTech, see our blog A&O Shearman on fintech and digital assets. -
Mansion House: New Remit Letters for UK Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority to Focus on Growth
November 15, 2024
HM Treasury has published remits and recommendations for the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority, set out in a letter sent from Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to Nikhil Rathi, FCA Chief Executive, and in a letter sent by Ms. Reeves to Andrew Bailey, Bank of England Governor.
The letter to Mr. Bailey formally relates to recommendations for the Prudential Regulation Committee, the BoE committee that exercises its functions as the PRA. Ms. Reeves calls for the regulators to fully embed the secondary competitiveness and growth objective and, while pursuing their respective primary objectives, to consider how they can enable informed and responsible risk-taking by authorized firms. Ms. Reeves outlines her priorities, which include ensuring that: (i) innovative new firms are supported to enter the market, and existing firms are enabled to innovate and invest in new technologies, including the safe adoption of AI; (ii) customers can access appropriate advice and products; (iii) U.K. financial services firms are supported to play a significant role in supporting the Net Zero transition globally; and (iv) firms have a positive experience of engaging with the regulators from the point of initial application or inquiry, and that administrative burdens on firms are streamlined as far as possible, while maintaining high regulatory standards and a reputation as responsive and agile regulators. -
International Organization of Securities Commissions Final Report on Voluntary Carbon Markets
November 14, 2024
The International Organization of Securities Commissions has finalized a report on promoting the financial integrity and orderly functioning of the Voluntary Carbon Markets. The final report includes a set of 21 good practices for Voluntary Carbon Markets to support the financial integrity of carbon credits and carbon markets as Voluntary Carbon Markets continue to develop, with the aim that carbon markets should be fair and orderly, economically sound as to pricing and information flow, and structurally resilient. The good practices address transparency, liquidity, and price discovery, as well as potential fraud or greenwashing, based on IOSCO's objectives of investor protection, fair, efficient, and transparent markets, and reducing systemic risk. The good practices are directed at: (i) relevant regulators and authorities interested in carbon credit markets in their jurisdictions that function with integrity; (ii) trading venues interested in listing and trading high-quality spot carbon credits or carbon credit derivative products; and (iii) relevant market participants.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Mansion House 2024
November 14, 2024
Rachel Reeves, the U.K. Chancellor has set out a package of reforms in her Mansion House speech. The reforms aim to drive growth and competitiveness in financial services. Ms. Reeves stated that the regulatory changes post-financial crisis created a system which sought to eliminate risk-taking that 'has gone too far' and has led to unintended consequences. Ms. Reeves hopes to maintain the U.K.'s high regulatory standards while rebalancing elements of the regulatory system to drive economic growth and competitiveness.
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Mansion House: HM Treasury Consults on UK Green Taxonomy
November 14, 2024
HM Treasury has published a consultation on developing a U.K. Green Taxonomy to classify sustainable economic activities, with the aim of increasing sustainable investment and reducing greenwashing risk. Responses to the consultation may be submitted until February 6, 2025.
The consultation seeks views on the use cases for a taxonomy, including complementing the U.K.'s other green initiatives, supporting the development of sustainability-focused financial products and the potential application to investment fund and investment portfolio product disclosures. It further seeks input on whether the taxonomy could support the mobilization of transition finance, following the U.K.'s Transition Finance Market Review (discussed in our blog post, "UK Transition Finance Market Review Publishes Recommendations"). The consultation also sets out proposed design features to maximize the usability of any such taxonomy, including: (i) its interoperability with other international taxonomy regimes; (ii) the environmental objectives and sectoral scope of the U.K. Taxonomy; (iii) the best way to incorporate the "do no significant harm" principle; and (iv) the desired level of governance and oversight to ensure credibility of the regime. -
Mansion House: Response to Consultation on Future Regulatory Regime for ESG Ratings Providers
November 14, 2024
Following its consultation, HM Treasury has published its response to the consultation on the future regulatory regime for ESG ratings providers, along with the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024. HM Treasury confirms that it will be proceeding with its proposal to bring the provision of ESG ratings within the scope of the U.K. regulatory perimeter. The government welcomes technical comments on the draft regulation by January 14, 2025. The government plans to finalize the legislation in 2025, at which point the Financial Conduct Authority will consult on the specific requirements. HM Treasury expects the overall process of designing, developing and commencing the ESG ratings regulatory regime to take approximately four years.
As part of the design of the future regulatory framework for ESG ratings provision, the FCA is also considering its approach to overseas ESG ratings providers applying for U.K. authorization. This includes exploring whether, according to size, significance, or market impact in the U.K., an ESG ratings provider would be expected to be incorporated in the U.K. HM Treasury is also exploring creating overseas regimes and other access routes into the U.K. market for overseas providers, including a possible market access or overseas regime for ratings issued in overseas jurisdictions. -
Mansion House: Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy
November 14, 2024
HM Treasury has launched a call for evidence on a proposed Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy, a key part of the latest Mansion House reforms. Once developed, the Strategy will serve as the central guiding framework for the next ten years through which the government aims to deliver sustainable, inclusive growth for the financial services sector and secure the U.K.'s competitiveness as an international financial center. To meet its objectives, the proposed strategy sets out five core policy pillars central to sustainable growth: innovation and technology, regulatory environment, regional growth, skills and access to talent, and international partnerships and trade. The proposed strategy also identified five priority growth areas within the financial services sector: fintech, sustainable finance, capital markets (including retail investment), insurance and reinsurance markets, and asset management and wholesale services. Responses to the call for evidence may be submitted is December 12, 2024. HM Treasury intends to publish the strategy in Spring 2025.
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Financial Stability Board Statement on the Importance of Resolution Planning and Loss-Absorbing Capacity for Banks Systemic in Failure
November 13, 2024
The Financial Stability Board has published a statement on the importance of resolution planning and loss-absorbing capacity for banks systemic in failure. The FSB aims to clarify the importance of resolution preparedness for all banks, recognising that the principles outlined are already established for G-SIBs. The statement includes considerations to inform jurisdictions' regulatory and policy frameworks for the resolution preparedness of banks:- authorities should assess which banks may be systemically significant or critical if they fail, including ensuring they have sufficient information to make this assessment in normal times and in a crisis. This includes banks that were not explicitly designated as systemically significant or critical prior to their failure.
- authorities and banks deemed systemic in failure should be prepared for resolution – banks systemic in failure should ensure they are resolvable in a way that protects their critical functions without severe systemic disruption.
- authorities should consider the need for loss-absorbing capacity. The FSB advises that some of the total loss-absorbing capacity principles applicable to G-SIBs are relevant also for other banks. The FSB sets out the TLAC principles that tend to be reflected in existing loss-absorbing capacity jurisdictional frameworks for non-G-SIB banks. The FSB also highlights the importance for considering the cross-border spillover effects of a bank systemic in failure.
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International Organization of Securities Commissions Publishes Report on Transition Plan Disclosures
November 13, 2024
The International Organization of Securities Commissions has published a report on transition plan disclosures. The report sets out how transition plan disclosures can support the objectives of investor protection and market integrity, and shares challenges. The report also discusses key findings, which point towards a series of coordinated actions for IOSCO and other stakeholders to consider in the future, which concern four main aspects: (i) where transition plans are published, encouraging consistency and comparability through guidance on transition plan disclosures; (ii) promoting assurance of transition plan disclosures; (iii) enhancing legal and regulatory clarity and oversight; and (iv) building capacity.
IOSCO's report welcomes the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation's plan to develop educational material on transition plan disclosures and, if needed, application guidance to support transition plans disclosures that provide investors with the information needed to make informed decisions about risks and opportunities. IOSCO encourages the International Sustainability Standards Board to maintain a high level of interoperability of the International Financial Reporting Standards Sustainability Disclosure Standards with key jurisdictional standards as they develop this educational material. To enhance clarity, IOSCO also encourages relevant standard setters to consider providing markers on what would constitute forward-looking information, in accordance with their standards and governance processes. This can support reporting entities in managing potential liability risks while disclosing much needed forward-looking, climate-related, information.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Commission Guidance on Sustainability Reporting Provisions
November 13, 2024
The European Commission has published a set of FAQs to clarify the interpretation of certain provisions on sustainability reporting introduced by: (i) the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive into the Accounting Directive, the Audit Directive, the Audit Regulation, and the Transparency Directive; (ii) the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation; and (iii) the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Commission Guidance for Financial Institutions on Disclosures Delegated Act under Taxonomy Regulation
November 8, 2024
A European Commission notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union on the interpretation and implementation of certain legal provisions of the Disclosures Delegated Act on the reporting of Taxonomy-eligible and Taxonomy-aligned economic activities and assets. The Disclosures Delegated Act supplements the EU Regulation on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, known as the Taxonomy Regulation.
The purpose of this notice is to provide further interpretative and implementation guidance in the form of replies to FAQs to financial undertakings on the reporting of their KPIs under the Disclosures Delegated Act. Through this notice, the Commission intends to facilitate the compliance of stakeholders with the regulatory requirements in a cost-effective way and to ensure the usability and comparability of the reported information for scaling up sustainable finance. The FAQs cover scope of covered entities, scope of the consolidation of disclosures, taxonomy-assessment of exposures to individual undertakings, taxonomy-assessment of groups, taxonomy-assessment of specific exposures, verification/assurance/evidence of compliance with the technical screening criteria, and compliance with minimum safeguards. There are also separate questions related specifically to credit institutions and insurance and reinsurance undertakings.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Network for Greening the Financial System Long-Term Climate Macro-Financial Scenarios for Climate Risks Assessments
November 5, 2024
The Network for Greening the Financial System has published the fifth phase of its long-term climate macro-financial scenarios for climate risks assessments. The main development is an updated assessment of physical risk. It now incorporates a new damage function, resulting in more substantial physical impacts from climate change. The Network for Greening the Financial System scenarios have been updated with new economic and climate data, policy commitments, and model versions.
Alongside the updated scenarios, the NGFS has published: (i) a high-level overview of the updates in the publication package, with a specific focus on the new damage function used for (chronic) physical risk assessment; (ii) a more detailed explanatory note on the new damage function; and (iii) updated technical documentation that discusses the NGFS modeling framework and assumptions behind the scenarios.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
UK Conduct Authority Publishes Guidance on Pre-Contractual Disclosure Under Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and Investment Labels Regime
November 1, 2024
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has set out good and poor practice examples to assist firms in meeting the pre-contractual disclosure requirements under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and investment labels regime. The examples cover a selection of labels, but the FCA considers that much of the practice will be relevant across all investment labels. The SDR and investment labels regime enters into force on December 2, 2024, although firms have been able to use investment labels since July 31, 2024.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
UK Transition Plan Taskforce Publishes Final Report on Progress Achieved and the Path Ahead
October 31, 2024The Transition Plan Taskforce has published its final report on the progress achieved and the path ahead. The report marks the end of the TPT's efforts to establish a gold standard for private sector transition plans. The report identifies key opportunities and challenges for the global adoption of transition plans, including building market capabilities, sharing best practices, developing tools for decision-makers, and fostering global consistency in transition planning norms.
The final report reveals that more companies than ever are disclosing their transition plans and aligning their business strategies with net-zero commitments. Financial institutions increasingly leverage these transition plans to direct transition finance, driving investments towards sustainable solutions. Internationally, momentum continues to grow to establish consistent standards and regulations on transition planning. The TPT observes that a growing number of jurisdictions are adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2 Standards. With the IFRS assuming responsibility for the TPT's disclosure materials, these will be utilized worldwide to support the emergence of a global norm on transition planning. The report also highlights four key areas where collective efforts could be focused in the future, to mainstream effective transition plans across the economy: (i) building market capabilities, practice and sharing experiences; (ii) developing enabling tools and driving thought leadership; (iii) ensuring that transition plans are integrated into decision-making; and (iv) increasing global consistency in transition planning norms and expectations.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Supervisory Authorities Publish Joint Report on Principal Adverse Impacts Disclosures under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation
October 30, 2024
The European Supervisory Authorities have published their third annual report on disclosures of principal adverse impacts under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The report assesses both entity and product-level PAI disclosures under the SFDR. These disclosures aim to show the negative impact of financial institutions' investments on the environment and people and the actions taken by asset managers, insurers, investment firms, banks and pension funds to mitigate them.
Overall, the report shows that financial institutions have improved the accessibility of their PAI disclosures. There has also been positive progress regarding the quality of the information disclosed by financial products, and, in general, in the quality of the PAI statements although the share of products disclosing SFDR PAI information remains quite low. A few national regulators also reported slight improvements in the compliance with the SFDR disclosures in their national markets. The ESAs state that while the level of compliance with the SFDR provisions, both at Level 1 and implementing measures is not yet fully satisfactory, it is important to recognize that both national regulators and financial market participants have made significant improvements, but additional efforts to achieve full compliance are still needed.
The ESAs conclude the report by making a number of recommendations to the European Commission and to national regulators. They also reiterate the need for national regulators to reduce the frequency of their assessment of the PAI disclosures under the SFDR to every two or three years. The ESAs believe these reports are valuable, but a less frequent reporting timeline would allow the ESAs and national regulators to focus more resources on delivering a more meaningful analysis of the PAI disclosures and to draw lessons from previous exercises.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero Consults on Guidance on Nature in Net-Zero Transition Plans and Index Guidance to Support Real-Economy Decarbonization
October 29, 2024
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero has published a consultation paper on nature in net-zero transition plans, which supplements the guidance provided in its November 2022 financial institution net-zero transition plans report. The proposed guidance covers opportunities to reduce nature emissions or increase nature sinks (natural climate mitigation), as well as opportunities to support emissions reductions and sequestration through nature-related activities (natural climate enablers). GFANZ explains that collectively, these nature-related levers expand the toolkit for financial institutions to achieve their net-zero commitments and may identify more potential net-zero financing opportunities. GFANZ notes that general impacts on nature from climate change are beyond the scope of the proposed guidance but are discussed in the consultation paper as an area for ongoing consideration, which may lead to integrated transition planning in the future. The deadline for comments is January 27, 2025. GFANZ expects to publish the final supplemental guidance in Q1 2025.
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European Securities and Markets Authority Consultation on Technical Advice under the Prospectus Regulation and Call for Evidence
October 28, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published a consultation paper on draft technical advice under the EU Prospectus Regulation and a call for evidence on prospectus liability. The consultation recommendations aim to facilitate European capital market activity by streamlining and reducing regulatory burden. It also puts forward proposals for non-equity securities that are advertised with ESG features and proposals to update the data reporting requirements to consider the changes introduced by the Listing Act. The Listing Act calls for an analysis of the liability of the information given in a prospectus and an assessment of whether further harmonization is warranted in this regard. It also calls for proposals of amendments to the liability provisions to be presented if relevant. As such the call for evidence on prospectus liability aims to gather input to provide technical advice on whether further harmonization should be considered. The deadline for comments on both publications is December 31, 2024. ESMA aims to publish its final technical advice to the EC in two separate final reports based on feedback received in Q2 2025. -
Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures Publishes Draft Guidance on Nature Transition Planning at COP16
October 27, 2024
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures has published a discussion paper setting out draft guidance on nature transition planning for corporates and financial institutions developing and disclosing a transition plan in line with the TNFD recommended disclosures. The TNFD explains that delivering the transition implied by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) requires significant changes to business practices across all sectors. The guidance covers all aspects of nature apart from climate change and greenhouse gas emissions as drivers of nature loss, and natural carbon stocks. The TNFD explains that transition planning for these topics is covered in guidance from organizations such as GFANZ.
Key focus areas of the discussion paper are: (i) a definition of a nature transition plan; (ii) an overview of related initiatives; (iii) guidance on what a nature transition plan should include; (iv) guidance on how a plan should be presented and disclosed; and (v) areas of further work needed to support development and assessment of nature transition plans. TNFD aims for the discussion paper to inform the development of TNFD guidance on the content and disclosure of nature transition plans, stimulate further work and collaboration to support nature transition plans including on transition pathways and transition finance categories and encourage organizations to pilot test the TNFD draft guidance. The deadline for comments is February 1, 2025 and the Taskforce plans to publish final TNFD guidance on nature transition plans in 2025.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Draft UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 Published
October 22, 2024
The draft U.K. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 have been published, together with an explanatory memorandum. The Order makes changes to the U.K. Emissions Trading Scheme, including the following: (i) to include carbon dioxide venting from installations in the 'upstream' oil and gas sector as a regulated activity under the U.K. ETS and to introduce a new activity group for the verification of carbon dioxide venting emissions; (ii) to introduce two new penalties – firstly, where installations and aircraft operators fail to surrender allowances by the relevant deadline, a U.K. ETS regulator will be able to issue a "deficit notice". Should the operator not comply with the deficit notice, they will be liable to a penalty equivalent to the carbon price for each allowance they are in deficit for, multiplied by a factor of 1.5. Operators who continue not to pay this may be liable for a daily penalty. Secondly, a new penalty of £5000 will be introduced for certain operators failing to provide information in breach of article 27A of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020; and (iii) reducing the U.K. ETS cap on how many allowances can be created over the trading period and in each year (subject to certain exceptions) to bring it in line with the U.K.'s net zero commitments. The number of allowances auctioned from 2024 onwards has already been reduced in line with this new cap through amendments made to Auctioning Regulations in late 2023. The government considers that this reduction of around 30% in the cap for the trading period supports a smooth transition for the scheme's participants whilst sending a strong signal to decarbonize.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
UK Transition Finance Market Review Publishes Recommendations
October 17, 2024
The U.K. Transition Finance Market Review published its report for scaling transition finance. The report sets out the TFMR's recommendations on how to scale a high-integrity transition finance market that can support both U.K. and global net zero ambitions.
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UK Climate Financial Risk Forum Publishes Guides on Climate Risk
October 10, 2024
The U.K. Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF) has published three guides to help the financial sector develop its approach to climate-related financial risks and opportunities. The CFRF is a financial services industry forum established jointly by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority and is comprised of senior representatives from across the financial services industry. The three guides are: (i) Nature-related Risk: Handbook for Financial Institutions - this provides an introduction for financial institutions to help frame nature as a risk, and discusses emerging practices in incorporating nature into financial risk management; (ii) Short-Term Scenarios - this discusses the use cases of short-term scenarios for banks/asset managers/insurers to provide more guidance to firms; and (iii) Mobilising Adaptation Finance to Build Resilience - this provides guidance for the industry to assess the physical risks they face and to facilitate increased levels of investment into climate adaptation to respond to those risks as an opportunity.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Securities and Markets Authority Publishes First Annual Report on EU Carbon Markets
October 7, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published its first annual report on EU carbon markets. The report delivers insights into the functioning of the EU Emissions Trading System market. Key findings highlighted by ESMA relate to:- prices and volatility - the price of EU emission allowances declined in 2023, driven in part by lower demand for emission allowances from weak industrial activity, falling natural gas prices which led to a reduction in coal-based power generation and an increase in renewable energy, along with increased supply following the decision to auction additional allowances to finance the REPowerEU plan;
- auctions - the volume of emission allowances increased in 2023, and the primary emission allowance market remains considerably concentrated, with ten participants buying 90% of auctioned volumes in 2023, reflecting a preference by most EU ETS operators to source allowances from financial intermediaries; and
- trading and positions - the vast majority of emission allowance trading in secondary markets takes place through derivatives, reflecting the annual EU ETS compliance cycle where non-financial sector firms hold long positions (for compliance purposes) while banks and investment firms hold short positions.
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Net-Zero Banking Alliance 2024 Publishes Progress Report
October 1, 2024
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative has published a 2024 progress report produced by the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Launched in 2021, the NZBA is a bank-led alliance of 144 banks globally voluntarily committed to aligning their financing activities with routes to net zero emissions by 2050. The progress report summarizes information received from 122 member banks and offers insights into members' progress on target setting and transition planning. Overall, the report shows that most NZBA banks are taking significant steps towards meeting their climate goals. In the report, the NBZA identifies areas where more work is required, such as setting decarbonization targets for banks, which remains a challenging exercise due to the quality of client greenhouse gas emissions data, unclear decarbonization pathways, and a lack of a supportive policy environment. Insights gained from the progress will inform the steps NZBA will take to support emerging market banks that need more time to meet milestones. Following the vote earlier this year by member banks to reinforce and update the NZBA target setting guidelines, NZBA banks with significant capital markets activities are due to update their targets to include related emissions by November 2025.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Publishes Update on Extension of UK Emissions Trading Scheme First Free Allocation Period to 2026
September 26, 2024
The U.K. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published an update in relation to an extension of the U.K. Emissions Trading Scheme's first free allocation period. The U.K. ETS Authority is consulting operators in the scheme on a proposal to move the start of the second allocation period from 2026 to 2027, extending the current allocation period to include 2026. Operators will receive the consultation from their scheme regulator and have until October 11, 2024 to submit responses. The change aims to align changes to free allocation with the introduction of the U.K. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in 2027. The Authority received a significant number of responses to the Free Allocation Review consultation indicating a preference for this alignment to ensure a consistent approach to carbon leakage mitigation. The Authority will ensure that any changes made to free allocation rules under the Free Allocation Review will be published by the end of 2025, with implementation in 2027.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
Euopean Commission report on the future of European competitiveness
September 10, 2024
The European Commission has published a report on the future of European competitiveness, prepared by Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank. The report aims to set out a new industrial strategy for Europe to overcome barriers to the EU's competitive strength. It sets out priority proposals in the short and medium term in key strategic sectors. For financial regulation, the report focuses on the completion of the Capital Markets Union and the Banking Union.
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UK Financial Conduct Authority Publishes Temporary Measures for Firms on Naming and Marketing Sustainability Rules
September 9, 2024
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has set out temporary measures to offer firms flexibility to comply with the naming and marketing rules under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) regime, which come into force from December 2, 2024. It has taken longer than expected for some firms to make the required changes to comply with the new regime, so the FCA is offering limited temporary flexibility, until 5pm on April 2, 2025, for firms to comply with the naming and marketing rules set out in ESG 4.3.2R to ESG 4.3.8R.
The temporary relief applies in exceptional circumstances in relation to a U.K. authorised investment fund caught by the regime where the firm: (i) has submitted a completed application for approval of amended disclosures in line with ESG 5.3.2R for that fund by 5pm on October 1, 2024; and (ii) is currently using one or more of the terms 'sustainable', 'sustainability' or 'impact' (or a variation of those terms) in the name of that fund and is intending either to use a label, or to change the name of that fund. Where firms can comply with the rules without requiring this flexibility, they should do so. The FCA also expects firms to comply with the rules as soon as they can, without waiting until April 2, 2025. The FCA has received queries about the authorisation of mergers, wind-ups or terminations before December 2, 2024 and will take a supportive, proportionate and outcomes-based approach in these circumstances. Firms with questions should contact their supervisor or usual supervisory contact to discuss on a case-by-case basis. -
EU Guidelines on Funds' Names Using ESG or Sustainability-Related Terms
August 21, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published the official translations of its guidelines on funds' names using ESG or sustainability-related terms. The objective of the guidelines is to ensure that investors are protected against unsubstantiated or exaggerated sustainability claims in fund names, and to provide asset managers with clear and measurable criteria to assess their ability to use ESG or sustainability-related terms in fund names.
The guidelines establish that to be able to use these terms, a minimum threshold of 80 percent of investments should be used to meet environmental, social characteristics or sustainable investment objectives. The guidelines will start applying on November 21, 2024. The transitional period for funds existing before the application date is six months after that date, on May 21, 2025. Any new funds created on or after the application date are expected to apply the guidelines immediately.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
European Commission Provides Further Clarifications on EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Rules
August 7, 2024
The European Commission has published a draft Commission Notice on the interpretation of certain legal provisions in the Accounting Directive, Audit Directive, Audit Regulation, Transparency Directive, Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 (which contains the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards), and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation as regards sustainability reporting. The notice contains a set of replies to FAQs clarifying the interpretation of certain provisions introduced by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive with the aim of facilitating their implementation by undertakings. They aim to support stakeholders in the implementation of the EU corporate sustainability reporting rules.
The FAQs include (among others) questions addressing:- sustainability information reporting under Articles 19a and 29a of the Accounting Directive;
- sustainability information reported under Article 40a of the Accounting Directive;
- assurance of sustainability reporting;
- key intangible resources disclosures;
- additional FAQs on requirements for third-country undertakings; and
- the correlation between indicators published under CSRD and those published under SFDR.
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Financial Conduct Authority Consults on Rules for Admission of Securities to UK Trading Platforms
July 26, 2024
The Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on proposed rules for companies seeking to admit securities to a U.K. regulated market or "primary" multilateral trading facility under the new Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations. The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations, which were published in January, provide a new framework to replace the U.K. Prospectus Regulation. The FCA proposes to create a new Prospectus Rules: Admission to Trading on a Regulated Market sourcebook, removing the Prospectus Regulation Rules sourcebook. The FCA will also add a new chapter to the Market Conduct sourcebook.
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European Securities and Markets Authority Opinion on the Functioning of the Sustainable Finance Framework
July 24, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published an Opinion on the sustainable finance regulatory framework, setting out possible long-term improvements. ESMA acknowledges that while the EU sustainable finance framework is already well developed and includes safeguards against greenwashing, it does believe that, in the longer-term, the framework could further evolve to facilitate investors' access to sustainable investments and support the effective functioning of the sustainable investment value chain. The opinion builds on ESMA's progress report on greenwashing and the joint opinion of the European Supervisory Authorities on the review of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The opinion also represents the last component of ESMA's reply to the Commission's request for input related to greenwashing, next to the final report on greenwashing.
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International Stocktake of Regulatory and Supervisory Initiatives on Nature-Related Financial Risks
July 18, 2024
The Financial Stability Board has published a stocktake of its member financial authorities' initiatives related to the identification and assessment of nature-related financial risks. The stocktake, which will be delivered to the July 25-26 meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, describes both supervisory and regulatory initiatives, and also central banks' and supervisors' analytical work on whether and how nature degradation, including loss of biodiversity, is a financial risk.
The findings include:- Financial authorities are at different stages of evaluating the relevance of biodiversity loss and other nature-related risks as a financial risk, with approaches varying, in part due to differing mandates.
- Financial authorities categorize nature-related risks into the same two types of risks typically used in climate-related financial risk analysis: physical and transition risks. However, analytical work faces major data and modelling challenges. Authorities' work to date indicates that financial institutions face large exposures to physical risk via their investments and financing activities, but that analytical work needs to be further developed to better translate estimates of financial exposures into measures of risk. Authorities recognize the strong connections between climate risk and nature, and that more needs to be done to develop a more holistic approach that considers interdependencies between climate- and nature-related financial risks.
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Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive Published
July 5, 2024
The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1760) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Directive aims to ensure that companies operating in the EU internal market contribute to sustainable development and the sustainability transition by identifying, preventing and mitigating actual or potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts connected with companies' operations, the operations of their subsidiaries and of their business partners in their chain of activities. CSDDD imposes obligations upon large EU and non-EU companies which meet certain conditions on turnover and employee thresholds.
The CSDDD will enter into force on July 25, 2024, and member states have until July 26, 2026 to transpose it into national law. Application will then be on a staggered basis, starting from July 26, 2027, for the largest companies.Topic : Sustainable Finance -
EU Final Report on Guidelines on Enforcement of Sustainability Information
July 5, 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published a final report on the guidelines on enforcement of sustainability information and a public statement on the first application of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. The documents aim to support the consistent application and supervision of sustainability reporting requirements introduced under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
The Guidelines were mandated under the EU Transparency Directive as amended by CSRD and are designed to build convergence on supervisory practices on sustainability reporting. ESMA has aimed to align them with the existing Guidelines on Enforcement of Financial Information, to ensure that enforcement of sustainability information is consistent with enforcement of financial information and is held to be on a par with such information.
The Standards specify the information that firms subject to the EU Accounting Directive, as amended by CSRD, should report in accordance with sustainability reporting requirements. Through the public statement on the first-time application of the Standards, ESMA intends to support large issuers with the implementation of these new reporting requirements. ESMA will continue to monitor the sustainability reporting practices in 2025 as well as the application of the Guidelines. ESMA will translate the Guidelines into all EU languages and make these translations available on its website. In addition, ESMA will release in Q4 recommendations on the sustainability statements of listed companies in its public statement on the 2024 European Common Enforcement Priorities.Topic : Sustainable Finance