H5N1 in a pig, Oregon: separating risk from buzz

The recent report of H5N1 influenza in a pig in the US is getting a lot of attention. That’s warranted since it’s noteworthy, but as is typical, a lot of the social media buzz is overblown. This is a concerning situation that we need to watch, and we need to up our overall game with H5N1. However, this recent finding is neither unexpected nor a doomsday situation.

The highlights of the recent event:

  • H5N1 flu was found in a pigs
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DEFORESTATION REGULATION: IMPACTS OF A POSSIBLE DELAY IN RISK CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES AND OTHER RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On 9 June 2023, the European Union published Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (the “Deforestation Regulation” or the “EUDR”). The EUDR entered into force on 29 June 2023, although the main prohibitions and obligations will not apply until 30 December 2024.

Pursuant to the EUDR, beginning 30 December 2024, relevant products (derivatives of palm oil, soya, wood, … Read the rest

HKMA and SFC Cross-Agency Steering Group Announces Collaboration with CDP to Facilitate Climate-Related Risk Disclosures by Small and Medium Enterprises

On 20 December 2022, the Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group (the “Steering Group”) co-chaired by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”) and the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) announced that it has entered into a collaboration arrangement with CDP, an international non-profit organisation that runs the global environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions.

Through this collaboration, the Steering Group and CDP seek to:

  1. enhance climate and environmental disclosure in
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