In the continuous journey towards a more sustainable economy, theEuropean Union has taken a significant step forward by adopting the European Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ESRS) These standards, mandatory for companies under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), represent a fundamental piece in implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies in Europe.

“The standards we have adopted today are ambitious and constitute an important tool supporting the EU’s sustainable finance agenda. They strike the right balance between limiting the burden on reporting companies and, at the same time, enabling businesses to showcase their efforts in aligning with the Green Deal agenda, consequently gaining access to sustainable financing”, as defined by Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

One of the key aspects of these standards is their comprehensive coverage of critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and human rights. They provide investors with a thorough framework to assess companies’ impact on sustainability and reflect the outcome of targeted discussions with theInternational Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This dialogue aims to ensure a high level of consistency between European and global standards, minimizing information duplication and promoting transparency.

It’s important to emphasize that the gradual introduction of reporting requirements will consider differences among various companies, allowing them to adapt to these new regulations over time without significant disruptions.

These standards represent a crucial launchpad for the European financial and corporate sectors towards greater awareness and responsibility. The path toward a more sustainable economy and society is long and complex, but the adoption of ESRS marks a fundamental milestone in shaping a better future.