Regulations Listing: Sustainability Reporting

The French Energy Transition Bill provides for a national low-carbon strategy, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent between 1990 and 2030 and by 75 percent between 1990 and 2050; to reduce final energy consumption by 50 percent by 2050 in relation to the 2012 benchmark, while aiming to achieve an intermediate target of 20 percent in 2030; and to reduce their final energy consumption of fossil fuels by 30 percent by 2030 in relation to the 2012 benchmark. The Bill also adds new environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting obligations for institutional investors.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) finalized an update in June that will affect the way companies recognize losses on credit instruments such as loans going forward.

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in cooperation with the Treasury Department, has issued final rules to increase profit transparency for large multinational corporations.

A new bill designed to protect patients and doctors increases reporting requirements for medical professionals who encounter serious issues or find potential defects when using certain medical devices.

As nations throughout the world work to meet social and environmental goals, the informative potential of sustainability reporting has come to the forefront of the conversation in both public- and private-sector circles.

REGULATORY RADAR - The regulation requires large Irish companies to publish non-financial information about their company policies, and it applies to financial years beginning on or after August 1, 2017.

REGULATORY RADAR - In compliance with EU Directive 2014/95, the Belgian government has decreed that large Belgian companies must draw up a non-financial statement aimed at providing the market with information on certain social, employment, and environmental matters deemed relevant in light of the company's operations.

REGULATORY RADAR - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has published conclusions to its ESG Reporting Guide consultation, based on a questionnaire seeking public views on strengthening ESG rules and publishing guidance materials on ESG and gender diversity.

REGULATORY RADAR - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued new disclosure requirements mandating that public companies begin disclosing on human-capital-related resources.

REGULATORY RADAR - On November 9, 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the United Kingdom will require certain companies to improve their climate-risk reporting for reporting periods that begin January 2021.

REGULATORY RADAR - The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a policy statement stating its intention to revisit rules, including a rule on Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments.

REGULATORY RADAR - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it will review how companies are disclosing the risks they face from climate change.