SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 7
Download to read offline
BOHR International Journal of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
2022, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 71–77
https://doi.org/10.54646/bijbecg.010
www.bohrpub.com
The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial
Services Sector
Catherine Malecki
Professor of Private Law, Institut universitaire de France (IUF), Rennes 2 University, Rennes, France
E-mail: catherine.malecki@univ-rennes2.fr
Abstract. The UE Disclosure Regulation 2019/2088 of November 27, 2019 on Sustainability-related Disclosures in
the Financial Services Sector (known as the Disclosure Regulation, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Regulation or SFDR for Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) sets out general rules for classifying and
reporting on sustainability and ESG criteria. Its goal is to improve transparency and disclosures. The transparency
requirement concerns particular concerns, especially sustainability risks and principal adverse sustainability impacts
at the financial product level. It does also concern precontractual disclosures. This Regulation is part of a broader
legislative package under the European ’Commission’s Sustainable Finance Action Plan, such as the EU Taxonomy
Regulation 2020/852 of June 18, 2020.
Keywords: Sustainable finance disclosure regulation (SFDR), nonfinancial information, sustainable investment,
financial services sector, sustainable finance platform.
The development of nonfinancial information is highly
dependent on the UE taxonomy regulation’s success, but
its sources have different horizons, and it is part of a
vast movement toward transparency for environmental,
social and governance (ESG) criteria, even outside the
European Union (EU).1 The adoption of EU Regulation
Sustainability-related disclosures in financial reporting:
Regulation (EU) No. 2019/2088 of the European Parlia-
ment and Council of November 27, 2019 services sector,2
which is scheduled for implementation on March 10, 2021
is a novelty on the EU side.
The G20 in order to encourage financial institutions
and nonfinancial organizations to disclose information
on climate-related risks and opportunities, the Financial
Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures (TCFD), which was created in June 2017, has
produced recommendations. Governments and banking
regulators throughout the world have endorsed the fol-
lowing recommendations: EU Member States, Singapore,
1 Examples in financial markets include The London Stock Exchange’s
Sustainable Bond Market (SBM), launched in October 2019, the NASDAQ
Sustainable Bond Network, launched in December 2019, and the UK
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:
32019R2088&from=FR OJEU 9 December 2019 L317/1.
Japan, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.
However, the question of coercion and sanctions arises.
The recent TCFD report3 and the FCFD public consulta-
tion4 on the financial sector show that there is insufficient
data to enable the comparison of information, especially
concerning GHG emissions and ITR (Implied Temperature
Rise), and the benefits of Value at Risk Disclosure, which is
very important in enabling banks and insurance undertak-
ings to access risks caused by the transition to a low-carbon
economy. The ITR is a new data requirement.
THE GENERAL CONTEXT OF EU
REGULATION 2019/2088
This regulation is the fruit of a process carried out at
unprecedented speed, bearing in mind the chances brought
on by the shift to a low-carbon economy. Recital 21 of the
Regulation of November 27, 2019 states that the starting
point for this Regulation was an observation: Directive
2013/34/EU is not always appropriate for “direct use by
3 https://www.fsb.org/wp-content/uploads/P291020-2.pdf
4 https://www.fsb.org/wp-content/uploads/P291020-4.pdf
71
72 Catherine Malecki
financial market participants and financial advisers when
dealing with end investors.”5
ONE STAGE: MAY 24, 2018
This regulation follows on from the proposed regulation
of May 24, 2028 modifying the Directive of the European
Parliament and Council (EU) 2016/2341COM (2018) 354
final on disclosures relating to sustainability risks and
sustainable investment opportunities of May 24, 2018.6
This proposal—the fruit of an extensive consultation with
stakeholders and investors—stressed the benefits of sys-
tematically disclosing ESG risks: “leading to an optimal
risk-return trade-off at least in the long-term, thereby
fostering market efficiency.”7 It is also consistent with
the Communication of June 20, 201989 on “Guidelines on
non-financial reporting: Supplement on reporting climate-
related information.”
OBJECTIVES
The main objective is to take sustainable development into
account in a general manner and as part of a broader
European Commission initiative.
The European Commission’s conclusion is clear: “it lacks
a specific framework and...” Choosing a regulation as
the instrument rather than a directive was an impor-
tant decision, as it will enable complete harmonization
between the different existing regulatory frameworks. The
European Commission “is laying the foundations for a
European framework that makes environmental, social
and governance (ESG) criteria a centerpiece of the financial
system and thereby contributes to transforming the Euro-
pean economy into a greener and more resilient circular
system. ESG factors should be taken into account in invest-
ment decisions in order to increase sustainability.” This
includes financial market participants (management com-
panies of organizations for occupational retirement provi-
sion (IORP), managers of European venture capital funds,
UCITS (undertakings for collective investment in trans-
ferable securities), alternative investment fund managers
(AIF), and insurance companies (EuVECA), ESG criteria
must be incorporated into internal business processes and
disclosed to customers by managers of investment firms
and the European Social Entrepreneurship Fund (EuSEF),
who are chosen by their customers or beneficiaries to make
investment decisions on their behalf.
5 Recital 25 Preamble.
6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:
52018PC0354&from=FR
7 Proposed Regulation 2016/2341COM (2018) 354, p. 11 “And it will
ultimately increase competition, incentivizing entities to adopt high ESG
standards.”
8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:
52019XC0620(01)&from=EN Communication 2019/C 209/01.
9 Communication of 20 June 2019, 2019/C 209/01, cited above, §1.1.
The Commission’s package of measures is consistent
with general initiatives for a more sustainable econ-
omy. Governments worldwide have chosen to embark on
accepting the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
and the 2016 Paris Climate Change Agreement, which will
put our planet and our economy on a more sustainable
course.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Areas for improvement include transparency and disclo-
sure, monitoring the integration of ESG, clarity of investor
responsibilities under the current EU regulations, data
reliability and comparability, risk management, and gov-
ernance structures. The duty to tender advice to institu-
tional investors and asset managers includes the assess-
ment of ESG-related risks and their consideration, where
appropriate.
The organizations who participated in the study offered
more information on topics, including investment strategy,
risk management, governance measures, and particular
ESG committees, members of management boards for ESG-
related issues, internal audit procedures in the ESG field,
engagement policy for investee companies and voting pol-
icy.
Additionally, each of them expressed concerns regarding
risk management, governance, and the comparability and
reliability of the accessible data structures, monitoring of
ESG integration, openness and disclosure, and investor
obligations in the current EU legislation.
This EU Regulation’s main accomplishment is that investors
will be better informed about how to invest. When making
investments, financial market participants and financial
advisors consider ESG risks decisions and providing finan-
cial advice.
“By reducing the asymmetry of information between
end investors and financial entities, the disclosure require-
ments will increase overall transparency.” Standardized
regulations on transparency must be established for finan-
cial market participants and insurance intermediaries to
heed this advice when offering advice on insurance-based
investment products and for investment companies offer-
ing advice on such products. It necessitates, on the one
hand, the incorporation of sustainability risks into the pro-
cess of investment decision-making or investment advise;
and, on the other hand, it concerns the transparency of
financial products focused on sustainable investments,
including those aiming to reduce carbon emissions.
It creates new transparency rules for market participants
and financial advisers.
THE SCOPE OF THIS REGULATION
It concerns financial market participants and financial
advisers.
The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector 73
Financial market participants (FMPs) (IORP) institutions
include companies that provide insurance-based invest-
ment products, investment firms that provide portfolio
management services, and occupational retirement pro-
vision; companies that develop pension products, man-
agers of alternative investment funds, and companies
that provide pan-European financial services. Individual
retirement savings products; management businesses for
undertakings for collective investment in transferrable
securities, management firms for qualified venture capital
funds, management firms for qualified social entrepreneur-
ship funds, and lending institutions that provide portfolio
management services.
Insurance undertakings that give insurance advice per-
taining to insurance-based investment goods, insurance
intermediaries that provide insurance advice relating to
insurance-based investment products, and financial advi-
sors (FAs) are all members of this category. Credit institu-
tions that offer investment advice, investment businesses
that do so, investment advice-providing AIF managers,
and investment advice-providing UCITS management
firms are also.
DEFINITION OF A “SUSTAINABLE
INVESTMENT”
In a major innovation, the regulation proposes a broad,
comprehensive definition of a “sustainable” investment.
Article 2(17) of the Regulation defines a sustainable
investment as follows:
“an investment in an economic activity that contributes
to an environmental objective, as measured, for exam-
ple, by key resource efficiency indicators on the use of
energy, renewable energy, raw materials, water and land,
on the production of waste, and greenhouse gas emis-
sions, or on its impact on biodiversity and the circular
economy,”
or
“an investment in an economic activity that contributes
to a social objective, in particular an investment that con-
tributes to tackling inequality or that fosters social cohe-
sion, social integration and labour relations, or an invest-
ment in human capital or economically or socially disad-
vantaged communities,”
with a ground-breaking condition
“provided that such investments do not significantly
harm any of those objectives and that the investee com-
panies follow good governance practices, in particular
with respect to sound management structures, employee
relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance.”
It also distinguishes between two types of investments.
The Regulation recommends creating a “necessary” dis-
tinction between two kinds of investments for the purposes
of precontractual disclosure and the dissemination of infor-
mation in monthly reports.
Financial goods that promote social or environmental
values
Financial products “which have as an objective a positive
impact on the environment and society.”
TRANSPARENCY OF TWO MAIN TYPES OF
INFORMATION
The disclosure obligations of directives are supplemented
by this rule (UCITS, Solvency 2, AIFM, MiFID, Insurance
Distribution, and Institute for Occupational Retirement
Provision), and regulations (European Long-Term Invest-
ment Funds, European Venture Capital Funds). It comes
under the banner of “transparency,” a recurring term
found in the title of many articles (integration of risks
and transparency of negative impacts “in sustainability,
and in the consideration of sustainability”), and of the
enshrinement of an unprecedented “sustainable financial
compliance” that will be the cornerstone of the effective-
ness of the system, especially in order to convince the
“end” investors.
The transparency requirement is apparent in many areas.
It is primarily concerned with the negative consequences of
sustainability and the risks of sustainability.
TRANSPARENCY OF POLICIES RELATED
TO SUSTAINABILITY RISKS
This transparency is the responsibility of participants in the
financial markets and financial advisors.
Definition of a “sustainability risk”: this is “an environ-
mental, social or governance event or condition that, if it
occurs, could cause a negative material impact on the value
of the investment”;10 (financial risk).
Disclosure medium: generalization of website use:
According to Article 3 of the Regulation, these two players
have a duty to act in the best interests of the end investors
and “must post on their websites information about their
policies on the integration of sustainability risks in their
investment advice or insurance advice.”
Assessment of “relevant financial risks” and “relevant
sustainability risks that might have a relevant material
negative impact on the financial return of an investment
or advice.”
TRANSPARENCY OF PRINCIPAL ADVERSE
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACTS
Regarding the scope of this openness, Article 4 of the
Regulation makes a distinction between financial market
players and financial advisers.
10 §14 Preamble to Regulation 2019/2088.
74 Catherine Malecki
Financial market participants: implementation of
“comply or explain”
They must publish the following information and ensure
that it is kept up to date on their websites.11
“Where they consider principal adverse impacts of
investment decisions on sustainability factors, a statement
on due diligence policies with respect to those impacts,
taking due account of their size, the nature and scale of
their activities and the types of financial products they
make available”.
Article 4(1)(b) of the Regulation sets out the novel imple-
mentation of “comply or explain”
“when they do not take into account adverse impacts of
investment decisions on sustainability factors,”
they must publish “clear reasons for why they do not do
so, including, where relevant, information as to whether
and when they intend to consider such adverse impacts.”
Article 4(2) provides a list of important information
such as:
(a) information about their policies on the identification
and prioritization of principal adverse sustainability
impacts and related indicators;
(b) a description of the principal adverse impacts and
any measures taken or planned in this regard;
(c) a brief summary of engagement policies as defined
in Directive 2007/36 on the exercise of certain rights
of shareholders in listed companies (criteria for the
selection of companies in portfolio, including finan-
cial and nonfinancial aspects such as ESG factors), if
applicable; and
(d) a mention of their adherence to rules of responsible
corporate behavior, standards for due diligence and
reporting that are internationally recognized, and, if
applicable, the extent of their connection with the
goals of the Paris Agreement.
Participants concerned: Participants in the financial mar-
kets who employ more than 500 people and “parent
firms.” After June 30, 2021, financial players with at least
500 employees at the balance sheet date must publish
on their website: “a statement on their due diligence
policies with respect to the principal adverse impacts
of investment decisions on sustainability factors,” which
must at least include the information set out in §2
Article 4.
Additionally, effective June 30, 2021, financial market
players that are significant groupings’ parent the definition
of an enterprise in Article 3 of the Directive of 2013/34/EU
(CSR Directive) must also publish such a statement on their
websites.
11 Article 4 of the Regulation.
Financial advisers: information that is slightly less
burdensome and subject to their own appreciation
The following must be maintained and published by finan-
cial advisors on their websites:
– information as to whether, “taking due account of
their size, the nature and scale of their activities and the
types of financial products they advise on, they consider in
their investment advice or insurance advice the principal
adverse impacts on sustainability factors”;
or a less burdensome form of “sustainable compliance”?
– information (no mention of “clear” as for financial
market participants) “as to why they do not to consider
adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability
factors in their investment advice or insurance advice, and,
where relevant, including information as to whether and when
they intend to consider such adverse impacts.”
Importance of future “sustainability indicators” for
adverse impacts
The European Supervisory Authorities will have to draw
up draught technical criteria for information presentation
and content) and “sustainability indicators in relation to
adverse impacts in the field of social and employee mat-
ters, respect for human rights, anticorruption and antib-
ribery matters”, by December 30, 2020, (a deadline that is
difficult to meet in practice).
Transparency of remuneration policies in relation to the
integration of sustainability risks
As evidence of the range of sustainable corporate gover-
nance, Article 5 of the Regulation mandates that partic-
ipants in the financial advisors and the financial market
“in their remuneration policies information on how those
policies are consistent with the integration of sustainability
risks, and shall publish that information on their websites.”
According to sectoral regulation, financial market play-
ers and financial advisers are required to develop and
maintain pay policies that contain this information.
Precontractual documentation: transparency of the inte-
gration of sustainability risks
– a description of sustainability risks and an assessment of the
effects that they are anticipated to have on the effectiveness of
financial products and advice.
In their precontractual disclosures, financial market
participants and financial advisers must “describe” the
following:
– “how sustainability risks” are included into their
financial choices and investment or insurance recom-
mendations; and
– the results of the “assessment of the likely impacts
of sustainability risks on the returns of the financial
products they make available.”12
– compliance in the event of the irrelevance of sustain-
ability risks:
12 Article 6 of the above-mentioned Regulation.
The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector 75
Where financial market participants and advisers deem
“sustainability risks not to be relevant,” their descriptions
must incorporate “a clear and concise explanation of the
reasons therefor.”
Transparency of adverse sustainability impacts at the
financial product level
By no later than the 30th day of December 2022, for each
financial market, and financial product participants must
provide13 “a clear and reasoned explanation of whether,
and, if so, how a financial product considers principal
adverse impacts on sustainability factors.” They must also
provide “a statement that information on principal adverse
impacts on sustainability factors” is available in the vari-
ous reports (annual, periodic).14 Technical regulatory stan-
dards can be used to “quantify” the main adverse impacts
on sustainability factors. This also implies “sustainable
compliance.”15
Transparency of the promotion of environmental or
social characteristics in precontractual disclosures: ESG
criteria
Where a financial product promotes “among other char-
acteristics, environmental or social characteristics, or a
combination of those characteristics, provided that the
companies in which the investments are made follow good
governance practices...”,16 the information to be disclosed
must, in addition to the information disclosed pursuant to
Article 6 of the Regulation, be supplemented with
– “information on how those characteristics are met”;
“if an index has been designated as a reference bench-
mark, information on whether and how this index is
consistent with those characteristics.”
– Financial market participants must include “an indi-
cation of where the methodology used for the calcu-
lation of the index” can be found.
By December 30, 2020 at the latest, draft regulatory
technical standards will be developed by the supervisory
authorities, to specify the details of the “presentation and
content of the information to be disclosed.”
Transparency of sustainable financial investments in pre-
contractual disclosures—a financial product with sustain-
able investment as its objective
Where a financial product has a sustainable investment
objective and an “index has been designated as a reference
13 Article 7 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
14 The details of these reports are listed in Article 11(2) of the above-
mentioned Regulation.
15 Article 7(2) stipulates that the disclosures shall include “for each
financial product a statement that the financial market participant does
not consider the adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability
factors and the reasons therefor.”
16 Article 8 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
benchmark,” there is a requirement concerning the dis-
closure of information on this selected benchmark index:
information is required on how the index is correspond-
ing to this goal, together with a description of how and
why this specified index is different from a wide market
index. Above all, “an explanation of how that aim is to be
reached” will need to be given in cases when no index has
been designated as a reference benchmark index.
Specificity of a financial product aiming toward a reduc-
tion in carbon emissions
A significant innovation concerns the hypothesis of a
financial product whose specific objective is “a reduction
in carbon emissions”: in this case, the information to be
published shall include “the objective of low carbon emis-
sion exposure in view of achieving the longterm global
warming objectives of the Paris Agreement.”17
Generalization of websites promoting transparency of
the promotion of environmental or social characteristics
and of sustainable investments
The objective is the publication and updating of a series of
information “for each financial product”,18 such as:
– a description of the social or environmental traits or
the goal of sustainable investment;
– details on the procedures used to evaluate, quantify,
and keep track of environmental and social (ES)
parameters; “impact of the sustainable investments
selected for the financial product.”19
– the chosen reference benchmark index
Focus on the quality of information and its accessibility
Not surprisingly, in line with the EU’s emphasis on
the quality of information for good governance and the
requirement for easy access to it, these various items of
information must be disclosed in an “in a way that is
accurate, fair, clear, not misleading, simple and concise and
in a prominent easily accessible area of the website.”20
Transparency of the promotion of environmental or
social characteristics and of sustainable investments in
periodic reports
In this field, the transparency requirements are high,
and their implementation is complex with regard to the
assessment of the reference benchmark index chosen for a
financial product.
When participants in the financial market make a
financial product accessible, they must mention the
17 Article 9 (3) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
18 Article 10 of the above-mentioned Regulation.
19 Article 10 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
20 Article 10 (1) (d) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
76 Catherine Malecki
different sector-specific regulations in the periodic
reports.21
– “the extent to which environmental or social charac-
teristics are met.”22
– for a financial product with sustainable development
as its objective, “the overall sustainability-related
impact of the financial product by means of relevant
sustainability indicators” or where an index has been
designated as a reference benchmark, “comparison
between the overall sustainability-related impact of
the financial product with the impacts of the desig-
nated index and of a broad market index through sus-
tainability indicators.”23 These obligations, by way
of derogation from the application of the Regulation
from 10 March 10, 2021, shall apply from January 1,
2022.24
The scope of this publication is broad, covering AIFs,
EuVECA funds, PEPPs, IORPs and insurance intermedi-
aries,25 managers of social entrepreneurship funds, UCITS,
and others.26
Disclosures: Updating, Explanation, Contradiction
Regulation 2019/2088 insists on the requirement to update
and explain published information and if a financial mar-
ket participant amends this information, “a clear explana-
tion of such amendment shall be published on the same
website.”27
Furthermore, marketing communications must not “con-
tradict” information published under the Regulation.
Finally, what is expected to facilitate the reading of
this information will be the development by the Joint
Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities of
“implementing technical standards to determine the stan-
dard presentation of information on the promotion of
environmental or social characteristics and sustainable
investments.”28
The European Supervisory Authorities will be called
upon to provide an annual report by September 10, 2022
and every year thereafter, which will be made public, on
the “best practices” in the Regulation, and will be able to
make “recommendations” and consider the “implications
of due diligence practices” on disclosures under this Regu-
lation.
21 Article 11 (2) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
22 Article 11 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
23 Article 11 (1) (b) (ii) of Regulation 2019/2088.
24 Article 20 of Regulation 2019/2088.
25 Article 15 of Regulation 2019/2088.
26 Article 11 of Regulation 2019/2088.
27 Article 12 of Regulation 2019/2088.
28 Article 13 of Regulation 2019/2088.
The Next Steps
Institutional and banking phases are already underway,
which will play a crucial part in establishing the regula-
tory framework for sustainable financing. Others will be
required to enable a “just” climate transition.
Technical Tools
A European sustainable finance observatory: The future
creation of a “European Sustainable Finance Observatory”
by the European Environment Agency, in cooperation
with the ESAs, which will be responsible for monitor-
ing, reporting, and publishing information on sustainable
investments by EU funds and institutions (EFSI, EIB, ECB).
A major step forward: the creation of a sustainable
finance platform: This platform satisfies the wishes of
the participants, especially the High Level Expert Group
(HLEG). The European Commission will serve as its
chair, and it will be made up of representatives from
the European Investment Agency, the European Super-
visory Authorities, the European Investment Bank, and
the European Investment Fund, as well as specialists who
represent stakeholders in the private sector. recognised for
their knowledge or proven experience. The EU Platform
on Sustainable Finance, created on June 18, 2020, whose
membership list29 was published on October 26, 2020,
will play a role together with the International Platform
on Sustainable Finance (IPSF). This platform has a varied
mission and will be essential for the future of sustainable
finance (analyzing the impact of technical review criteria,
tendering advice, providing analytical support, and report-
ing to the Commission, particularly on the “channeling of
capital flows into sustainable investments.”
Mobilization of the Financial and Banking Sector
50 finance ministers make up the coalition of finance min-
isters for climate action and has adopted the “Helsinki
Principles.”30
The signal from the ECB – Christine Lagarde in her
speech in London on February 27, 202031 “Climate change
and the financial sector.”
The EIB will logically become the Climate Bank – The
European Investment Bank (EIB) will become the Cli-
mate Bank. The EIB, the European Union’s financial arm,
finances “sustainable” projects every year; but above all, it
was the first to launch Green Bonds in 2017 and is actively
working to finance the climate transition. Its roadmap will
concern the alignment of its activities with the objectives
of the Paris Agreement, and containing global warming
below 2◦C by the end of the century.
29 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/business_economy_euro/
banking_and_finance/documents/eu-platform-on-sustainable-finance
-members_en.pdf
30 https://www.financeministersforclimate.org/helsinki-principles
31 https://www.bis.org/review/r200302c.pdf
The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector 77
The banking world has taken the realized the importance
of climate change, as evidenced in particular by the Net-
work for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
The EIB will include climate-related criteria in its deci-
sions, which will lead it to stop financing projects, such as
airport extensions, extensions of agricultural activities into
natural areas, and factories with excessive fossil energy
consumption.
The EIB wants to increase its proportion of climate-
related financing. By 2025, this financing will need to
account for at least 50% of the total amount, i.e., €30 billion
annually. In total, the public bank plans to generate €1
trillion in climate investments by the end of the decade. It
is expected to publish a new transport financing policy in
2021.
EU GREEN BONDS PRINCIPLES
The TEG Report of 18 June 2019 proposes flexible tools to
implement this taxonomy in relation to the Green Bonds
Standards. The aim is to allow any “organization” to
indicate the percentage of its operations that significantly
advance environmental goals.
COVID-19 and Social Bonds—Climate change and social
inequality32
Beyond this institutional aspect, the COVID-19 crisis has
highlighted the need for more social finance (social bonds)
to meet specific needs with a more socially oriented
focus.33 This will support a European Commission mech-
anism to promote a just transition. This scheme aims to
finance projects to mitigate the social impact of the phasing
out of fossil fuels. However, the major challenge will be
to limit vulnerability and social inequality vis-à-vis climate
change, with an emphasis on the need to continue along
the path already actively followed within the EU.
CONCLUSION
I would like to conclude very briefly. Indeed, as climate
change is a significant concern, ECB President Christine
Lagarde highlighted in her speech for this century. “The
transition to a carbon-neutral economy provides opportu-
nities, not just risks.”34
32 https://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2017/wp152_2017.pdf
33 cf. ICMA, “Green and Social Bond Principles with ICMA underline
relevance of Social Bonds in addressing COVID-19 crisis and provide
additional guidance” (March 31, 2020), available at https://www.icma
group.org/News/news-in-brief/green-and-social-bond-principles-with
-icma-underline-relevance-of-social-bonds-in-addressing-covid-19-crisi
s-and-provide-additional-guidance/.
34 Speech by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank,
at the COP 26 Private Finance Agenda, London February 27, 2020.

More Related Content

Similar to The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector

Rapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMF
Rapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMFRapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMF
Rapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMFSociété Tripalio
 
Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...
Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...
Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...FERMA
 
Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019Initio
 
Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31
Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31
Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31Conor O'Kelly
 
Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019Initio
 
Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021
Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021
Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021Deloitte Polska
 
ESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy Solicitation
ESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy SolicitationESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy Solicitation
ESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy SolicitationTurlough Guerin GAICD FGIA
 
Workshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël Lebel
Workshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël LebelWorkshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël Lebel
Workshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël LebelOECD Environment
 
Legal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfunding
Legal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfundingLegal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfunding
Legal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfundingCummings
 
Regulatory newsletter june 2019 - Initio
Regulatory newsletter   june 2019 - InitioRegulatory newsletter   june 2019 - Initio
Regulatory newsletter june 2019 - InitioInitio
 
Green corporate bonds in Greece.pdf
Green corporate bonds in Greece.pdfGreen corporate bonds in Greece.pdf
Green corporate bonds in Greece.pdfLefteris Barbatsalos
 
Eba fin tech roadmap
Eba fin tech roadmapEba fin tech roadmap
Eba fin tech roadmapJonas Mercier
 
Annual report-2018-2019 insurance europe
Annual report-2018-2019 insurance europeAnnual report-2018-2019 insurance europe
Annual report-2018-2019 insurance europeinsuranceforumgr
 
Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019Initio
 

Similar to The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector (20)

Rapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMF
Rapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMFRapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMF
Rapport européen sur le Big Data et le RGPD relayé par l'ACPR et l'AMF
 
Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...
Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...
Environmental Liability Directive: FERMA’s views on the Multi-Annual Work Pro...
 
Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch february 2019
 
Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31
Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31
Xbrl Global Adoption 2009 07 31
 
Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch May 2019
 
Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021
Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021
Sustainable Finance Magazine - December 2021
 
Justin Wray, ocin22
Justin Wray, ocin22Justin Wray, ocin22
Justin Wray, ocin22
 
OECD Recommendation on Financial Literacy
OECD Recommendation on Financial LiteracyOECD Recommendation on Financial Literacy
OECD Recommendation on Financial Literacy
 
ESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy Solicitation
ESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy SolicitationESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy Solicitation
ESG Shareholder Activism Report June 2016 by Global Proxy Solicitation
 
Workshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël Lebel
Workshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël LebelWorkshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël Lebel
Workshop on Metrics for Climate Transition - PPT Raphaël Lebel
 
Legal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfunding
Legal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfundingLegal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfunding
Legal shorts 07.02.14, including AIFMD remuneration code and crowdfunding
 
Regulatory newsletter june 2019 - Initio
Regulatory newsletter   june 2019 - InitioRegulatory newsletter   june 2019 - Initio
Regulatory newsletter june 2019 - Initio
 
Green corporate bonds in Greece.pdf
Green corporate bonds in Greece.pdfGreen corporate bonds in Greece.pdf
Green corporate bonds in Greece.pdf
 
Eba fin tech roadmap
Eba fin tech roadmapEba fin tech roadmap
Eba fin tech roadmap
 
Climate-newsletter.pdf
Climate-newsletter.pdfClimate-newsletter.pdf
Climate-newsletter.pdf
 
Climate change risk disclosure
Climate change risk disclosureClimate change risk disclosure
Climate change risk disclosure
 
Esg trends
Esg trendsEsg trends
Esg trends
 
Kpmg final
Kpmg finalKpmg final
Kpmg final
 
Annual report-2018-2019 insurance europe
Annual report-2018-2019 insurance europeAnnual report-2018-2019 insurance europe
Annual report-2018-2019 insurance europe
 
Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019
Initio Regulatory Watch March 2019
 

More from BOHR International Journal of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance

More from BOHR International Journal of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance (9)

A Study on Consumer Satisfaction Toward Bykea e-Bike Services
A Study on Consumer Satisfaction Toward Bykea e-Bike ServicesA Study on Consumer Satisfaction Toward Bykea e-Bike Services
A Study on Consumer Satisfaction Toward Bykea e-Bike Services
 
A Neo-Marxist Anthropology of Urban Workers and Peasant Farmers in Thailand
A Neo-Marxist Anthropology of Urban Workers and Peasant Farmers in ThailandA Neo-Marxist Anthropology of Urban Workers and Peasant Farmers in Thailand
A Neo-Marxist Anthropology of Urban Workers and Peasant Farmers in Thailand
 
Liza Gashi’s Emphasis on Ethics Within the Kosovo Government
Liza Gashi’s Emphasis on Ethics Within the Kosovo GovernmentLiza Gashi’s Emphasis on Ethics Within the Kosovo Government
Liza Gashi’s Emphasis on Ethics Within the Kosovo Government
 
Nonlinear Controller for the Laser Fiber Using PID Controller
Nonlinear Controller for the Laser Fiber Using PID ControllerNonlinear Controller for the Laser Fiber Using PID Controller
Nonlinear Controller for the Laser Fiber Using PID Controller
 
The Causes and Consequences of Hegemonic Masculinity and Dominance in Thailand
The Causes and Consequences of Hegemonic Masculinity and Dominance in ThailandThe Causes and Consequences of Hegemonic Masculinity and Dominance in Thailand
The Causes and Consequences of Hegemonic Masculinity and Dominance in Thailand
 
Pension Plans in Spain. Profitability Analysis
Pension Plans in Spain. Profitability AnalysisPension Plans in Spain. Profitability Analysis
Pension Plans in Spain. Profitability Analysis
 
The Effect of Capital Structure on the Performance of Microfinance Institutio...
The Effect of Capital Structure on the Performance of Microfinance Institutio...The Effect of Capital Structure on the Performance of Microfinance Institutio...
The Effect of Capital Structure on the Performance of Microfinance Institutio...
 
E-management in the Moroccan University: What Impact on Governance?
E-management in the Moroccan University: What Impact on Governance?E-management in the Moroccan University: What Impact on Governance?
E-management in the Moroccan University: What Impact on Governance?
 
A Case Study of Sunier, a Prototypical Company in the Evolving of the Green E...
A Case Study of Sunier, a Prototypical Company in the Evolving of the Green E...A Case Study of Sunier, a Prototypical Company in the Evolving of the Green E...
A Case Study of Sunier, a Prototypical Company in the Evolving of the Green E...
 

Recently uploaded

The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024
The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024
The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024christinemoorman
 
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...Dave Litwiller
 
Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...
Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...
Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...lizamodels9
 
Vip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service Dewas
Vip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service DewasVip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service Dewas
Vip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service Dewasmakika9823
 
Progress Report - Oracle Database Analyst Summit
Progress  Report - Oracle Database Analyst SummitProgress  Report - Oracle Database Analyst Summit
Progress Report - Oracle Database Analyst SummitHolger Mueller
 
Non Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptx
Non Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptxNon Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptx
Non Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptxAbhayThakur200703
 
GD Birla and his contribution in management
GD Birla and his contribution in managementGD Birla and his contribution in management
GD Birla and his contribution in managementchhavia330
 
Tech Startup Growth Hacking 101 - Basics on Growth Marketing
Tech Startup Growth Hacking 101  - Basics on Growth MarketingTech Startup Growth Hacking 101  - Basics on Growth Marketing
Tech Startup Growth Hacking 101 - Basics on Growth MarketingShawn Pang
 
Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...
Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...
Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...anilsa9823
 
Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...
Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...
Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...lizamodels9
 
BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,noida100girls
 
BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,noida100girls
 
Monte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSM
Monte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSMMonte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSM
Monte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSMRavindra Nath Shukla
 
Vip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts Service
Vip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts ServiceVip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts Service
Vip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts Serviceankitnayak356677
 
Call Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine Service
Call Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine ServiceCall Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine Service
Call Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine Serviceritikaroy0888
 
Intro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdf
Intro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdfIntro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdf
Intro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdfpollardmorgan
 
Call Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service AvailableCall Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service AvailableDipal Arora
 
Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...
Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...
Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...lizamodels9
 
Pharma Works Profile of Karan Communications
Pharma Works Profile of Karan CommunicationsPharma Works Profile of Karan Communications
Pharma Works Profile of Karan Communicationskarancommunications
 

Recently uploaded (20)

The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024
The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024
The CMO Survey - Highlights and Insights Report - Spring 2024
 
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...
 
Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...
Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...
Lowrate Call Girls In Laxmi Nagar Delhi ❤️8860477959 Escorts 100% Genuine Ser...
 
Vip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service Dewas
Vip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service DewasVip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service Dewas
Vip Dewas Call Girls #9907093804 Contact Number Escorts Service Dewas
 
Progress Report - Oracle Database Analyst Summit
Progress  Report - Oracle Database Analyst SummitProgress  Report - Oracle Database Analyst Summit
Progress Report - Oracle Database Analyst Summit
 
Non Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptx
Non Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptxNon Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptx
Non Text Magic Studio Magic Design for Presentations L&P.pptx
 
GD Birla and his contribution in management
GD Birla and his contribution in managementGD Birla and his contribution in management
GD Birla and his contribution in management
 
Tech Startup Growth Hacking 101 - Basics on Growth Marketing
Tech Startup Growth Hacking 101  - Basics on Growth MarketingTech Startup Growth Hacking 101  - Basics on Growth Marketing
Tech Startup Growth Hacking 101 - Basics on Growth Marketing
 
Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...
Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...
Lucknow 💋 Escorts in Lucknow - 450+ Call Girl Cash Payment 8923113531 Neha Th...
 
Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...
Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...
Call Girls In Sikandarpur Gurgaon ❤️8860477959_Russian 100% Genuine Escorts I...
 
BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Greater Noida ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
 
KestrelPro Flyer Japan IT Week 2024 (English)
KestrelPro Flyer Japan IT Week 2024 (English)KestrelPro Flyer Japan IT Week 2024 (English)
KestrelPro Flyer Japan IT Week 2024 (English)
 
BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
BEST Call Girls In Old Faridabad ✨ 9773824855 ✨ Escorts Service In Delhi Ncr,
 
Monte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSM
Monte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSMMonte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSM
Monte Carlo simulation : Simulation using MCSM
 
Vip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts Service
Vip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts ServiceVip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts Service
Vip Female Escorts Noida 9711199171 Greater Noida Escorts Service
 
Call Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine Service
Call Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine ServiceCall Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine Service
Call Girls In Panjim North Goa 9971646499 Genuine Service
 
Intro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdf
Intro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdfIntro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdf
Intro to BCG's Carbon Emissions Benchmark_vF.pdf
 
Call Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service AvailableCall Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Pune Just Call 9907093804 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
 
Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...
Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...
Call Girls In Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar ❤️8860477959 Escorts...
 
Pharma Works Profile of Karan Communications
Pharma Works Profile of Karan CommunicationsPharma Works Profile of Karan Communications
Pharma Works Profile of Karan Communications
 

The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector

  • 1. BOHR International Journal of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance 2022, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 71–77 https://doi.org/10.54646/bijbecg.010 www.bohrpub.com The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector Catherine Malecki Professor of Private Law, Institut universitaire de France (IUF), Rennes 2 University, Rennes, France E-mail: catherine.malecki@univ-rennes2.fr Abstract. The UE Disclosure Regulation 2019/2088 of November 27, 2019 on Sustainability-related Disclosures in the Financial Services Sector (known as the Disclosure Regulation, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Regulation or SFDR for Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) sets out general rules for classifying and reporting on sustainability and ESG criteria. Its goal is to improve transparency and disclosures. The transparency requirement concerns particular concerns, especially sustainability risks and principal adverse sustainability impacts at the financial product level. It does also concern precontractual disclosures. This Regulation is part of a broader legislative package under the European ’Commission’s Sustainable Finance Action Plan, such as the EU Taxonomy Regulation 2020/852 of June 18, 2020. Keywords: Sustainable finance disclosure regulation (SFDR), nonfinancial information, sustainable investment, financial services sector, sustainable finance platform. The development of nonfinancial information is highly dependent on the UE taxonomy regulation’s success, but its sources have different horizons, and it is part of a vast movement toward transparency for environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, even outside the European Union (EU).1 The adoption of EU Regulation Sustainability-related disclosures in financial reporting: Regulation (EU) No. 2019/2088 of the European Parlia- ment and Council of November 27, 2019 services sector,2 which is scheduled for implementation on March 10, 2021 is a novelty on the EU side. The G20 in order to encourage financial institutions and nonfinancial organizations to disclose information on climate-related risks and opportunities, the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), which was created in June 2017, has produced recommendations. Governments and banking regulators throughout the world have endorsed the fol- lowing recommendations: EU Member States, Singapore, 1 Examples in financial markets include The London Stock Exchange’s Sustainable Bond Market (SBM), launched in October 2019, the NASDAQ Sustainable Bond Network, launched in December 2019, and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX: 32019R2088&from=FR OJEU 9 December 2019 L317/1. Japan, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong. However, the question of coercion and sanctions arises. The recent TCFD report3 and the FCFD public consulta- tion4 on the financial sector show that there is insufficient data to enable the comparison of information, especially concerning GHG emissions and ITR (Implied Temperature Rise), and the benefits of Value at Risk Disclosure, which is very important in enabling banks and insurance undertak- ings to access risks caused by the transition to a low-carbon economy. The ITR is a new data requirement. THE GENERAL CONTEXT OF EU REGULATION 2019/2088 This regulation is the fruit of a process carried out at unprecedented speed, bearing in mind the chances brought on by the shift to a low-carbon economy. Recital 21 of the Regulation of November 27, 2019 states that the starting point for this Regulation was an observation: Directive 2013/34/EU is not always appropriate for “direct use by 3 https://www.fsb.org/wp-content/uploads/P291020-2.pdf 4 https://www.fsb.org/wp-content/uploads/P291020-4.pdf 71
  • 2. 72 Catherine Malecki financial market participants and financial advisers when dealing with end investors.”5 ONE STAGE: MAY 24, 2018 This regulation follows on from the proposed regulation of May 24, 2028 modifying the Directive of the European Parliament and Council (EU) 2016/2341COM (2018) 354 final on disclosures relating to sustainability risks and sustainable investment opportunities of May 24, 2018.6 This proposal—the fruit of an extensive consultation with stakeholders and investors—stressed the benefits of sys- tematically disclosing ESG risks: “leading to an optimal risk-return trade-off at least in the long-term, thereby fostering market efficiency.”7 It is also consistent with the Communication of June 20, 201989 on “Guidelines on non-financial reporting: Supplement on reporting climate- related information.” OBJECTIVES The main objective is to take sustainable development into account in a general manner and as part of a broader European Commission initiative. The European Commission’s conclusion is clear: “it lacks a specific framework and...” Choosing a regulation as the instrument rather than a directive was an impor- tant decision, as it will enable complete harmonization between the different existing regulatory frameworks. The European Commission “is laying the foundations for a European framework that makes environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria a centerpiece of the financial system and thereby contributes to transforming the Euro- pean economy into a greener and more resilient circular system. ESG factors should be taken into account in invest- ment decisions in order to increase sustainability.” This includes financial market participants (management com- panies of organizations for occupational retirement provi- sion (IORP), managers of European venture capital funds, UCITS (undertakings for collective investment in trans- ferable securities), alternative investment fund managers (AIF), and insurance companies (EuVECA), ESG criteria must be incorporated into internal business processes and disclosed to customers by managers of investment firms and the European Social Entrepreneurship Fund (EuSEF), who are chosen by their customers or beneficiaries to make investment decisions on their behalf. 5 Recital 25 Preamble. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX: 52018PC0354&from=FR 7 Proposed Regulation 2016/2341COM (2018) 354, p. 11 “And it will ultimately increase competition, incentivizing entities to adopt high ESG standards.” 8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX: 52019XC0620(01)&from=EN Communication 2019/C 209/01. 9 Communication of 20 June 2019, 2019/C 209/01, cited above, §1.1. The Commission’s package of measures is consistent with general initiatives for a more sustainable econ- omy. Governments worldwide have chosen to embark on accepting the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the 2016 Paris Climate Change Agreement, which will put our planet and our economy on a more sustainable course. AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT Areas for improvement include transparency and disclo- sure, monitoring the integration of ESG, clarity of investor responsibilities under the current EU regulations, data reliability and comparability, risk management, and gov- ernance structures. The duty to tender advice to institu- tional investors and asset managers includes the assess- ment of ESG-related risks and their consideration, where appropriate. The organizations who participated in the study offered more information on topics, including investment strategy, risk management, governance measures, and particular ESG committees, members of management boards for ESG- related issues, internal audit procedures in the ESG field, engagement policy for investee companies and voting pol- icy. Additionally, each of them expressed concerns regarding risk management, governance, and the comparability and reliability of the accessible data structures, monitoring of ESG integration, openness and disclosure, and investor obligations in the current EU legislation. This EU Regulation’s main accomplishment is that investors will be better informed about how to invest. When making investments, financial market participants and financial advisors consider ESG risks decisions and providing finan- cial advice. “By reducing the asymmetry of information between end investors and financial entities, the disclosure require- ments will increase overall transparency.” Standardized regulations on transparency must be established for finan- cial market participants and insurance intermediaries to heed this advice when offering advice on insurance-based investment products and for investment companies offer- ing advice on such products. It necessitates, on the one hand, the incorporation of sustainability risks into the pro- cess of investment decision-making or investment advise; and, on the other hand, it concerns the transparency of financial products focused on sustainable investments, including those aiming to reduce carbon emissions. It creates new transparency rules for market participants and financial advisers. THE SCOPE OF THIS REGULATION It concerns financial market participants and financial advisers.
  • 3. The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector 73 Financial market participants (FMPs) (IORP) institutions include companies that provide insurance-based invest- ment products, investment firms that provide portfolio management services, and occupational retirement pro- vision; companies that develop pension products, man- agers of alternative investment funds, and companies that provide pan-European financial services. Individual retirement savings products; management businesses for undertakings for collective investment in transferrable securities, management firms for qualified venture capital funds, management firms for qualified social entrepreneur- ship funds, and lending institutions that provide portfolio management services. Insurance undertakings that give insurance advice per- taining to insurance-based investment goods, insurance intermediaries that provide insurance advice relating to insurance-based investment products, and financial advi- sors (FAs) are all members of this category. Credit institu- tions that offer investment advice, investment businesses that do so, investment advice-providing AIF managers, and investment advice-providing UCITS management firms are also. DEFINITION OF A “SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT” In a major innovation, the regulation proposes a broad, comprehensive definition of a “sustainable” investment. Article 2(17) of the Regulation defines a sustainable investment as follows: “an investment in an economic activity that contributes to an environmental objective, as measured, for exam- ple, by key resource efficiency indicators on the use of energy, renewable energy, raw materials, water and land, on the production of waste, and greenhouse gas emis- sions, or on its impact on biodiversity and the circular economy,” or “an investment in an economic activity that contributes to a social objective, in particular an investment that con- tributes to tackling inequality or that fosters social cohe- sion, social integration and labour relations, or an invest- ment in human capital or economically or socially disad- vantaged communities,” with a ground-breaking condition “provided that such investments do not significantly harm any of those objectives and that the investee com- panies follow good governance practices, in particular with respect to sound management structures, employee relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance.” It also distinguishes between two types of investments. The Regulation recommends creating a “necessary” dis- tinction between two kinds of investments for the purposes of precontractual disclosure and the dissemination of infor- mation in monthly reports. Financial goods that promote social or environmental values Financial products “which have as an objective a positive impact on the environment and society.” TRANSPARENCY OF TWO MAIN TYPES OF INFORMATION The disclosure obligations of directives are supplemented by this rule (UCITS, Solvency 2, AIFM, MiFID, Insurance Distribution, and Institute for Occupational Retirement Provision), and regulations (European Long-Term Invest- ment Funds, European Venture Capital Funds). It comes under the banner of “transparency,” a recurring term found in the title of many articles (integration of risks and transparency of negative impacts “in sustainability, and in the consideration of sustainability”), and of the enshrinement of an unprecedented “sustainable financial compliance” that will be the cornerstone of the effective- ness of the system, especially in order to convince the “end” investors. The transparency requirement is apparent in many areas. It is primarily concerned with the negative consequences of sustainability and the risks of sustainability. TRANSPARENCY OF POLICIES RELATED TO SUSTAINABILITY RISKS This transparency is the responsibility of participants in the financial markets and financial advisors. Definition of a “sustainability risk”: this is “an environ- mental, social or governance event or condition that, if it occurs, could cause a negative material impact on the value of the investment”;10 (financial risk). Disclosure medium: generalization of website use: According to Article 3 of the Regulation, these two players have a duty to act in the best interests of the end investors and “must post on their websites information about their policies on the integration of sustainability risks in their investment advice or insurance advice.” Assessment of “relevant financial risks” and “relevant sustainability risks that might have a relevant material negative impact on the financial return of an investment or advice.” TRANSPARENCY OF PRINCIPAL ADVERSE SUSTAINABILITY IMPACTS Regarding the scope of this openness, Article 4 of the Regulation makes a distinction between financial market players and financial advisers. 10 §14 Preamble to Regulation 2019/2088.
  • 4. 74 Catherine Malecki Financial market participants: implementation of “comply or explain” They must publish the following information and ensure that it is kept up to date on their websites.11 “Where they consider principal adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors, a statement on due diligence policies with respect to those impacts, taking due account of their size, the nature and scale of their activities and the types of financial products they make available”. Article 4(1)(b) of the Regulation sets out the novel imple- mentation of “comply or explain” “when they do not take into account adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors,” they must publish “clear reasons for why they do not do so, including, where relevant, information as to whether and when they intend to consider such adverse impacts.” Article 4(2) provides a list of important information such as: (a) information about their policies on the identification and prioritization of principal adverse sustainability impacts and related indicators; (b) a description of the principal adverse impacts and any measures taken or planned in this regard; (c) a brief summary of engagement policies as defined in Directive 2007/36 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders in listed companies (criteria for the selection of companies in portfolio, including finan- cial and nonfinancial aspects such as ESG factors), if applicable; and (d) a mention of their adherence to rules of responsible corporate behavior, standards for due diligence and reporting that are internationally recognized, and, if applicable, the extent of their connection with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Participants concerned: Participants in the financial mar- kets who employ more than 500 people and “parent firms.” After June 30, 2021, financial players with at least 500 employees at the balance sheet date must publish on their website: “a statement on their due diligence policies with respect to the principal adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors,” which must at least include the information set out in §2 Article 4. Additionally, effective June 30, 2021, financial market players that are significant groupings’ parent the definition of an enterprise in Article 3 of the Directive of 2013/34/EU (CSR Directive) must also publish such a statement on their websites. 11 Article 4 of the Regulation. Financial advisers: information that is slightly less burdensome and subject to their own appreciation The following must be maintained and published by finan- cial advisors on their websites: – information as to whether, “taking due account of their size, the nature and scale of their activities and the types of financial products they advise on, they consider in their investment advice or insurance advice the principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors”; or a less burdensome form of “sustainable compliance”? – information (no mention of “clear” as for financial market participants) “as to why they do not to consider adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors in their investment advice or insurance advice, and, where relevant, including information as to whether and when they intend to consider such adverse impacts.” Importance of future “sustainability indicators” for adverse impacts The European Supervisory Authorities will have to draw up draught technical criteria for information presentation and content) and “sustainability indicators in relation to adverse impacts in the field of social and employee mat- ters, respect for human rights, anticorruption and antib- ribery matters”, by December 30, 2020, (a deadline that is difficult to meet in practice). Transparency of remuneration policies in relation to the integration of sustainability risks As evidence of the range of sustainable corporate gover- nance, Article 5 of the Regulation mandates that partic- ipants in the financial advisors and the financial market “in their remuneration policies information on how those policies are consistent with the integration of sustainability risks, and shall publish that information on their websites.” According to sectoral regulation, financial market play- ers and financial advisers are required to develop and maintain pay policies that contain this information. Precontractual documentation: transparency of the inte- gration of sustainability risks – a description of sustainability risks and an assessment of the effects that they are anticipated to have on the effectiveness of financial products and advice. In their precontractual disclosures, financial market participants and financial advisers must “describe” the following: – “how sustainability risks” are included into their financial choices and investment or insurance recom- mendations; and – the results of the “assessment of the likely impacts of sustainability risks on the returns of the financial products they make available.”12 – compliance in the event of the irrelevance of sustain- ability risks: 12 Article 6 of the above-mentioned Regulation.
  • 5. The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector 75 Where financial market participants and advisers deem “sustainability risks not to be relevant,” their descriptions must incorporate “a clear and concise explanation of the reasons therefor.” Transparency of adverse sustainability impacts at the financial product level By no later than the 30th day of December 2022, for each financial market, and financial product participants must provide13 “a clear and reasoned explanation of whether, and, if so, how a financial product considers principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors.” They must also provide “a statement that information on principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors” is available in the vari- ous reports (annual, periodic).14 Technical regulatory stan- dards can be used to “quantify” the main adverse impacts on sustainability factors. This also implies “sustainable compliance.”15 Transparency of the promotion of environmental or social characteristics in precontractual disclosures: ESG criteria Where a financial product promotes “among other char- acteristics, environmental or social characteristics, or a combination of those characteristics, provided that the companies in which the investments are made follow good governance practices...”,16 the information to be disclosed must, in addition to the information disclosed pursuant to Article 6 of the Regulation, be supplemented with – “information on how those characteristics are met”; “if an index has been designated as a reference bench- mark, information on whether and how this index is consistent with those characteristics.” – Financial market participants must include “an indi- cation of where the methodology used for the calcu- lation of the index” can be found. By December 30, 2020 at the latest, draft regulatory technical standards will be developed by the supervisory authorities, to specify the details of the “presentation and content of the information to be disclosed.” Transparency of sustainable financial investments in pre- contractual disclosures—a financial product with sustain- able investment as its objective Where a financial product has a sustainable investment objective and an “index has been designated as a reference 13 Article 7 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation. 14 The details of these reports are listed in Article 11(2) of the above- mentioned Regulation. 15 Article 7(2) stipulates that the disclosures shall include “for each financial product a statement that the financial market participant does not consider the adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors and the reasons therefor.” 16 Article 8 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation. benchmark,” there is a requirement concerning the dis- closure of information on this selected benchmark index: information is required on how the index is correspond- ing to this goal, together with a description of how and why this specified index is different from a wide market index. Above all, “an explanation of how that aim is to be reached” will need to be given in cases when no index has been designated as a reference benchmark index. Specificity of a financial product aiming toward a reduc- tion in carbon emissions A significant innovation concerns the hypothesis of a financial product whose specific objective is “a reduction in carbon emissions”: in this case, the information to be published shall include “the objective of low carbon emis- sion exposure in view of achieving the longterm global warming objectives of the Paris Agreement.”17 Generalization of websites promoting transparency of the promotion of environmental or social characteristics and of sustainable investments The objective is the publication and updating of a series of information “for each financial product”,18 such as: – a description of the social or environmental traits or the goal of sustainable investment; – details on the procedures used to evaluate, quantify, and keep track of environmental and social (ES) parameters; “impact of the sustainable investments selected for the financial product.”19 – the chosen reference benchmark index Focus on the quality of information and its accessibility Not surprisingly, in line with the EU’s emphasis on the quality of information for good governance and the requirement for easy access to it, these various items of information must be disclosed in an “in a way that is accurate, fair, clear, not misleading, simple and concise and in a prominent easily accessible area of the website.”20 Transparency of the promotion of environmental or social characteristics and of sustainable investments in periodic reports In this field, the transparency requirements are high, and their implementation is complex with regard to the assessment of the reference benchmark index chosen for a financial product. When participants in the financial market make a financial product accessible, they must mention the 17 Article 9 (3) of the above-mentioned Regulation. 18 Article 10 of the above-mentioned Regulation. 19 Article 10 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation. 20 Article 10 (1) (d) of the above-mentioned Regulation.
  • 6. 76 Catherine Malecki different sector-specific regulations in the periodic reports.21 – “the extent to which environmental or social charac- teristics are met.”22 – for a financial product with sustainable development as its objective, “the overall sustainability-related impact of the financial product by means of relevant sustainability indicators” or where an index has been designated as a reference benchmark, “comparison between the overall sustainability-related impact of the financial product with the impacts of the desig- nated index and of a broad market index through sus- tainability indicators.”23 These obligations, by way of derogation from the application of the Regulation from 10 March 10, 2021, shall apply from January 1, 2022.24 The scope of this publication is broad, covering AIFs, EuVECA funds, PEPPs, IORPs and insurance intermedi- aries,25 managers of social entrepreneurship funds, UCITS, and others.26 Disclosures: Updating, Explanation, Contradiction Regulation 2019/2088 insists on the requirement to update and explain published information and if a financial mar- ket participant amends this information, “a clear explana- tion of such amendment shall be published on the same website.”27 Furthermore, marketing communications must not “con- tradict” information published under the Regulation. Finally, what is expected to facilitate the reading of this information will be the development by the Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities of “implementing technical standards to determine the stan- dard presentation of information on the promotion of environmental or social characteristics and sustainable investments.”28 The European Supervisory Authorities will be called upon to provide an annual report by September 10, 2022 and every year thereafter, which will be made public, on the “best practices” in the Regulation, and will be able to make “recommendations” and consider the “implications of due diligence practices” on disclosures under this Regu- lation. 21 Article 11 (2) of the above-mentioned Regulation. 22 Article 11 (1) of the above-mentioned Regulation. 23 Article 11 (1) (b) (ii) of Regulation 2019/2088. 24 Article 20 of Regulation 2019/2088. 25 Article 15 of Regulation 2019/2088. 26 Article 11 of Regulation 2019/2088. 27 Article 12 of Regulation 2019/2088. 28 Article 13 of Regulation 2019/2088. The Next Steps Institutional and banking phases are already underway, which will play a crucial part in establishing the regula- tory framework for sustainable financing. Others will be required to enable a “just” climate transition. Technical Tools A European sustainable finance observatory: The future creation of a “European Sustainable Finance Observatory” by the European Environment Agency, in cooperation with the ESAs, which will be responsible for monitor- ing, reporting, and publishing information on sustainable investments by EU funds and institutions (EFSI, EIB, ECB). A major step forward: the creation of a sustainable finance platform: This platform satisfies the wishes of the participants, especially the High Level Expert Group (HLEG). The European Commission will serve as its chair, and it will be made up of representatives from the European Investment Agency, the European Super- visory Authorities, the European Investment Bank, and the European Investment Fund, as well as specialists who represent stakeholders in the private sector. recognised for their knowledge or proven experience. The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, created on June 18, 2020, whose membership list29 was published on October 26, 2020, will play a role together with the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF). This platform has a varied mission and will be essential for the future of sustainable finance (analyzing the impact of technical review criteria, tendering advice, providing analytical support, and report- ing to the Commission, particularly on the “channeling of capital flows into sustainable investments.” Mobilization of the Financial and Banking Sector 50 finance ministers make up the coalition of finance min- isters for climate action and has adopted the “Helsinki Principles.”30 The signal from the ECB – Christine Lagarde in her speech in London on February 27, 202031 “Climate change and the financial sector.” The EIB will logically become the Climate Bank – The European Investment Bank (EIB) will become the Cli- mate Bank. The EIB, the European Union’s financial arm, finances “sustainable” projects every year; but above all, it was the first to launch Green Bonds in 2017 and is actively working to finance the climate transition. Its roadmap will concern the alignment of its activities with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, and containing global warming below 2◦C by the end of the century. 29 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/business_economy_euro/ banking_and_finance/documents/eu-platform-on-sustainable-finance -members_en.pdf 30 https://www.financeministersforclimate.org/helsinki-principles 31 https://www.bis.org/review/r200302c.pdf
  • 7. The Ripple Effect of EU Disclosures Regulation in Financial Services Sector 77 The banking world has taken the realized the importance of climate change, as evidenced in particular by the Net- work for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). The EIB will include climate-related criteria in its deci- sions, which will lead it to stop financing projects, such as airport extensions, extensions of agricultural activities into natural areas, and factories with excessive fossil energy consumption. The EIB wants to increase its proportion of climate- related financing. By 2025, this financing will need to account for at least 50% of the total amount, i.e., €30 billion annually. In total, the public bank plans to generate €1 trillion in climate investments by the end of the decade. It is expected to publish a new transport financing policy in 2021. EU GREEN BONDS PRINCIPLES The TEG Report of 18 June 2019 proposes flexible tools to implement this taxonomy in relation to the Green Bonds Standards. The aim is to allow any “organization” to indicate the percentage of its operations that significantly advance environmental goals. COVID-19 and Social Bonds—Climate change and social inequality32 Beyond this institutional aspect, the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for more social finance (social bonds) to meet specific needs with a more socially oriented focus.33 This will support a European Commission mech- anism to promote a just transition. This scheme aims to finance projects to mitigate the social impact of the phasing out of fossil fuels. However, the major challenge will be to limit vulnerability and social inequality vis-à-vis climate change, with an emphasis on the need to continue along the path already actively followed within the EU. CONCLUSION I would like to conclude very briefly. Indeed, as climate change is a significant concern, ECB President Christine Lagarde highlighted in her speech for this century. “The transition to a carbon-neutral economy provides opportu- nities, not just risks.”34 32 https://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2017/wp152_2017.pdf 33 cf. ICMA, “Green and Social Bond Principles with ICMA underline relevance of Social Bonds in addressing COVID-19 crisis and provide additional guidance” (March 31, 2020), available at https://www.icma group.org/News/news-in-brief/green-and-social-bond-principles-with -icma-underline-relevance-of-social-bonds-in-addressing-covid-19-crisi s-and-provide-additional-guidance/. 34 Speech by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, at the COP 26 Private Finance Agenda, London February 27, 2020.