NGO successfully challenges planning inspectors’ report on energy performance standards

The recent decision (20 February 2024) of the High Court in R (Rights Community Action) v Secretary of State is a rare example of an NGO succeeding in a climate change legal action under English law.  In the case, Rights Community Action persuaded the High Court to overturn a finding by the Secretary of State’s Planning Inspectors that a local authority’s “net zero” policy was unlawful.

The claim arose in relation to a proposed new “garden village” development in Oxfordshire.  … Read the rest

European Commission adopts the European Sustainability Reporting Standards

On 31 July 2023, the European Commission adopted the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (“ESRS“). EU and non-EU entities subject to the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD“) will be required to report against the ESRS, making the development of interest to entities preparing for reporting under the CSRD regime.

Background

The CSRD, which entered into force on 5 January 2023, creates detailed sustainability reporting requirements and expands the number of EU and non-EU companies subject … Read the rest

Asia Regulators’ Responses to the ISSB Disclosure Standards

The inaugural International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB“) sustainability disclosure standards, namely IFRS S1 (General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information) and IFRS S2 (Climate-related Disclosures) (the “ISSB Standards“), have received positive feedback from stakeholders across the globe since its issuance on 26 June 2023 (which we reported here). This includes endorsement by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) on 25 July 2023.

The long-awaited ISSB Standards are intended to serve as a global baseline … Read the rest