- Published at
Monday Morning Briefing CW 15, 2025
Regulatory and business-related news for CW15 & CW16
Table of Contents
- Regulatory News
- EU Proposes Looser CO₂ Emission Rules for Automakers
- Omnibus Package Could Slash Sustainability Reporting
- European Parliament Votes to Freeze Some ESG Rules
- Company News
- UBS Loosens Investment Criteria in Sustainable Funds
- DWS Pays €25M Greenwashing Fine in Germany
- Lego Removes Diversity Terms from ESG Report
- Majority of Companies Unprepared for CSRD
- Outlook for the Week Ahead
- EU Energy Law Review Scheduled for April 16th
April 14, 2025
Regulatory News
EU Proposes Looser CO₂ Emission Rules for Automakers
On April 1st, the European Commission proposed extending the compliance period for automakers’ CO₂ emissions targets from one year to three years (2025–2027). The aim is to support European carmakers struggling with EV sales and global competition. Environmentalists argue this could stall the shift to electrification.
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Omnibus Package Could Slash Sustainability Reporting
The European Commission’s Omnibus Simplification Package, introduced in early April, aims to reduce sustainability reporting burdens. If adopted, it could cut the number of companies reporting under CSRD by up to 80% and limit due diligence obligations to Tier 1 suppliers. The proposal has divided industries, especially in the fashion sector.
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European Parliament Votes to Freeze Some ESG Rules
On April 3rd, the European Parliament voted to delay CSRD-related reporting rules for smaller firms. Businesses with under 500 employees will now report starting 2028 instead of 2027. The EU supply chain law has also been pushed back by a year. While welcomed by industry groups, critics fear weakened ESG momentum.
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Company News
UBS Loosens Investment Criteria in Sustainable Funds
UBS Asset Management has removed certain exclusions on defense firms from its sustainable investment products. This policy shift reflects changing investor sentiment amid geopolitical tensions. Exclusions for controversial weapons remain.
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DWS Pays €25M Greenwashing Fine in Germany
DWS, a Deutsche Bank subsidiary, has settled greenwashing allegations with German regulators for €25 million. Prosecutors concluded the asset manager misrepresented ESG claims in its 2020 annual report.
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Lego Removes Diversity Terms from ESG Report
Lego has faced criticism for removing terms like “diversity,” “LGBTQ+,” and “people of colour” from its 2024 ESG report. Advocacy groups claim this signals weakened DEI commitments, though Lego states the move reflects revised reporting structure.
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Majority of Companies Unprepared for CSRD
Two separate surveys from EcoOnline and Semarchy highlight wide gaps in CSRD readiness:
- 63% of mid-sized firms are struggling despite preparations.
- 83% of firms overall admit they are not fully audit-ready.
Common pain points include data reliability and lack of tooling.
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Outlook for the Week Ahead
EU Energy Law Review Scheduled for April 16th
The European Commission is expected to discuss revisions to existing EU energy laws as part of its red tape reduction strategy. This may shape the May Omnibus package aimed at easing compliance for small and mid-cap firms.
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This article was created with the assistance of AI and carefully reviewed, edited, and refined to ensure accuracy and clarity.