Brussels postpone the calendar of European sustainability rules
On 3 April, the European Parliament voted for a two-year freeze on certain sustainability reporting requirements, in response to concerns about the administrative burden on businesses.
This suspension concerns in particular European standards (ESRS) intended for unlisted companies and is part of the regulatory simplification initiative called”Omnibus“, supported by the European Commission.
Lawmakers say they want maintaining the goals of the Green Deal, while agreeing more time for businesses to prepare to the new extra-financial transparency obligations.
165 million euros partnership for renewable energies in Europe
La European Investment Bank (EIB) And the German bank NORTH/LB have announced, the April 1, 2025, a partnership of 165 million euros intended to finance renewable energy projects across Europe.
This funding will target projects of Photovoltaics, onshore wind and battery storage, thus contributing to the EU's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Representatives of both institutions emphasize that this initiative will strengthen theEuropean energy independence and will stimulate the growth in the cleantech sector.
Towards a (very) tough regulation of anti-environmental advertising?
In a report commissioned by Matignon, the authors suggest toForbid pure and simple ads that encourage behaviors that are harmful to the environment — such as those promoting SUVs, cheap flights, or single-use items.
This text, still not engaging but already explosive, also proposes a advertising tax for polluting sectors, as well as strict eligibility conditions for public-public spaces. If retained, these measures could revolutionize the communication of major brands, particularly in the automotive, aviation or tech industries.
American taxes: what are the consequences for French industries
US President Donald Trump announced an increase of 20% of customs duties on European products, particularly aimed at French exports.
The most affected sectors include Aeronautics (in particular Airbus and Safran), the wines and spirits, the luxury goods, as well as the dairy.
In response, President Emmanuel Macron brought together representatives of the sectors concerned to assess the economic consequences and consider support measures.
Europe facing the extent of food waste
In a new report, European Environment Agency reveals that every European citizen has wasted on average 131 kg of food in 2021. Les Households are primarily responsible, well ahead of distribution or processing.
In response, the European Commission prepares a directive requiring Member States to mandatory reduction targets, applicable from 2025 to the entire food chain.
Objective: reduce the massive environmental and economic impact waste, which weighs heavily in terms of emissions, wasted resources, and losses for the agri-food sector.
Veolia accused of toxic pollution in Colombia
THE NGO Global Witness Accuses Veolia's Colombian subsidiary of discharging wastewater toxic in a protected wetland in northern Colombia, between 2021 and 2023.
The revealed documents point to ammonia, aluminum and nitrite releases in a classified ecosystem of international importance, with possible effects on local biodiversity and neighboring populations.
Veolia, which denies any illegality, says that its activity respects the Colombian regulatory framework. The government has so far not neither confirmed nor denied the opening of an investigation.
The EU is preparing a simplified version of the ESRS
The European Commission has announced that it wants review the sectoral ESRS framework (European sustainable reporting standards), in order to propose a version revised and streamlined by October 31, 2025.
This decision is part of the initiative”Omnibus”, which aims to reduce regulatory burden for businesses, without abandoning the transparency objectives linked to the Green Deal.
The first sector standards were originally due to appear in mid-2024, but their publication was suspended in favor of this revision. Ongoing discussions focus on the relevance, readability and feasibility of the indicators requested.
The GRI refines its standards for the financial sector
La Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched a public consultation (until May 30, 2025) on its new industry standards for financial services : banking, insurance and capital markets.
The objective: to offer specific indicators to this sector, which is often criticized for the vagueness of its ESG reports, in particular on indirect impacts related to investment and loan portfolios.
These standards aim to improve the comparability and transparency sustainability reports from financial institutions, in line with European standards (ESRS) and the growing expectations of regulators.
Greenwashing: record fine for DWS
The asset management subsidiary of Deutsche Bank Has received a fine of 27 million euros in the United States to have overestimated ESG characteristics of some of its funds.
The American financial watchdog (SEC) ruled that DWS had not implemented the sustainable assessment processes that it purported to follow in its commercial communications.
This penalty, which is among the highest in terms of greenwashing, sends a clear signal to the financial sector : ESG criteria have become a full-fledged compliance field, with very real legal and reputational risks.
Giant fine against the European car industry
La European Commission Has inflicted a Record fine of 458 million euros to 15 car manufacturers, including Renault, Peugeot, Fiat, Fiat, Volkswagen and BMW, for Illegal agreement on trade-in prices for end-of-life vehicles.
The investigation revealed that these businesses had coordinated their rates of takeover with recycling centers, thus distorting the market and penalizing both consumers and independent recycling actors.
This case illustrates the rise in power of the regulation on the circular economy and recycling, with increasingly severe sanctions for industries that try to circumvent environmental obligations.
sourcing
reuters “EU Parliament votes to freeze sustainability rules”
ESG News “NORD/LB and the EIB launch a 165 million euro partnership to accelerate renewable energy projects in Europe”
Novethic “Advertising and ecological transition: a shocking report proposes to regulate, tax and ban certain advertisements”
Public Senate “American customs duties: which will be the most affected sectors in France? ”
Actu-Environnement “Food waste: the Twenty-Seven are doing nothing”
Le Monde “Pollution: the NGO Global Witness denounces Veolia's toxic waste in a Colombian wetland”
forbes “The EU wants a new framework for CSRD by 31 October”
GRI Sector Standards Project for Financial Services
Les Echos “Greenwashing: record fine of 25 million euros for DWS”
Le Monde “The EU imposes a fine of 458 million euros on 15 manufacturers for a cartel on the recycling of cars”
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