Sustainability News - March 2025

👉 Links between financial statements and ESG reporting

In February 2025, the Autorité des Normes Comptables (ANC) published a report exploring the relationship between financial statements and sustainability disclosures.
The study focuses on the coherence and complementarity of financial and sustainability information. It relies on universal ESRS standards and specifically examines climate-related issues within the ESRS E1 framework when considered "material" by companies.

Source: ANC, 02/2025

👉 Simplification of EU Taxonomy

On 12/05/2025, the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance released a report with recommendations to streamline taxonomy reporting and enhance its effectiveness.

Key measures:

• Refining "Do No Significant Harm" (DNSH) risk assessments and reporting obligations
• Introducing a materiality principle applicable to all entities, materiality thresholds for all non-financial KPIs, and a simplified DNSH assessment for revenue KPIs
• Clear guidelines for using estimates
• Developing simplified and voluntary approaches for SMEs, banks, and investors

Source: Platform on Sustainable Finance, 02/05/2025

👉 Omnibus directive proposal

On February 26, the European Commission unveiled two Omnibus Directive proposals aimed at simplifying regulations on non-financial reporting and sustainable investment.
Omnibus I includes simplifications related to the CSRD Directive, the CSDDD Directive, and the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Omnibus II focuses on improving the InvestEU package.

💡Everything you need to know in our dedicated article

👉 Third edition of IFRS for SMEs

On 12/27/2025, the IASB (International Accounting Standards Board) released a major update to the IFRS for SMEs standard, currently required or permitted in 85 jurisdictions. This 3rd edition follows a review incorporating extensive stakeholder feedback. It aims to balance the information needs of lenders and other users with SMEs' resource constraints.

Key changes:

• A revised revenue recognition model
• Consolidation of fair value measurement requirements in one section
• New requirements for business combinations, consolidations, and financial instruments

Source: IASB, 02/27/2025

👉 Goldman Sachs Asset Management introduces its first biodiversity-focused bond fund, expanding sustainable financing options for fixed-income investors and targeting up to $500 million

Source : ESG News, 03/03/2025

👉 The French Senate's Delegation for Foresight publishes a report on AI and the environment, highlighting its potential to improve climate adaptation strategies

Source: RSEDATANEWS, 03/03/2025

👉 EBA (European Banking Authority) identifies ESG data gaps despite progress, delaying standardized credit risk methodology

Source: ESG News, 02/28/2025

👉 Article highlighting five key topics impacting ESG investors, including: convergence on climate governance, immediate impact of the SEC’s new rules, relocation of major mining companies, and investment in defense and ESG challenges

Source: ESG Investor, 02/25/2025

👉 HSBC delays its net-zero target for operational and supply chain emissions by 20 years, blaming slow regulatory action

Source: The Independant, 02/20/2025

👉 TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) launches a learning lab and training portal to strengthen nature-related financial expertise on risks and opportunities

Source: ESG News, 02/20/2025

👉 The SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative ) updates its roadmap for the new Corporate Net Zero Standard. The consultation on a new standard will begin no earlier than March 2025, after controversies over the proposed use in 2024 of environmental attribute certificates (EACs) for Scope 3 emissions

Source: ESG Today, 02/14/2025

👉 France Assureurs' 8th Risk Forecasting Report reveals climate change as the top risk for insurers, tied with cyberattacks

Source: L’Info Durable, 02/10/2025

👉 The UK government is set to launch a consultation in March 2025 on sustainability reporting standards, focusing on the adoption of ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) guidelines. This consultation may include requirements for companies' transition plans

Source: Responsible Investor, 02/12/2025

👉 The Platform on Sustainable Finance, an advisory body to the European Commission, has released a report with evidence-based recommendations to streamline taxonomy reporting and improve its effectiveness. Key proposals:

• Implementing a "comply or explain" approach for DNSH obligations
• Introducing voluntary reporting frameworks for SMEs
• Allowing proxies and estimates for specific calculations

Source: finance.ec.europa, 02/05/2025