EU Updates - November
2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28)
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12.
In a letter dated January 13th , 2023, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat announced the appointment of Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who serves as the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Special Envoy for Climate Change, as the President-Designate for COP 28.
As it was for last year’s COP 27, also the upcoming COP 28 Presidency is conducting informal consultations. These consultations involve governments at ministerial, Head-of-Delegation, and technical levels, with the aim of laying the groundwork for a successful conference. The goal is to drive global transformation towards a low-emission and climate-resilient world, encourage ambitious climate action, and facilitate its implementation, including the related support.
A significant aspect of COP 28 will be the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The stocktake is a two-year process occurring every five years and assessing the collective progress of the world in achieving its climate objectives.
In a letter to parties dated July 2023, the Incoming Presidency outlined four primary areas of focus for COP 28:
Accelerating the transition to clean energy and reducing emissions before 2030.
Transforming climate finance by delivering on previous commitments and establishing a new framework for financial support.
Placing nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the centre of climate action.
Mobilizing for the most inclusive COP in history.
For more information:
Contact Giorgia Miccoli, EU Affairs Senior Specialist
OECD Updates Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct
On the 8th of June 2023, the Organization for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the updated Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct.
The Guidelines, which have been embraced by 51 governments, including the majority of the EU Member States, outline voluntary principles and standards to ensure that multinational enterprises integrate due diligence practices, recognize and mitigate risks, and address adverse impacts throughout their value chains.
These Guidelines, alongside the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ILO Tripartite Declaration, constitute the global benchmark for due diligence practices.
The updated Guidelines, the first revision since 2011, came into effect from June 8th, with a primary focus on due diligence recommendations related to climate, technology, the utilization of services and products, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
What has changed:
Companies are encouraged to ensure that their emissions reduction targets align with the temperature objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement and are based on scientific findings from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
The updated Guidelines emphasize the importance of conducting Due Diligence assessments on the downstream segment of the value chain. This includes considerations on how products will be used and the potential impacts.
The OECD's update strengthens recommendations to combat corruption, recognized as a key contributor to adverse impacts within value chains. Apart from traditional bribery, the Guidelines now encompass other forms of corruption, such as trading in influence, embezzlement, and misappropriation of donations.
Companies are encouraged to refrain from retaliating against individuals who raise concerns and investigate their activities.
The Guidelines provide additional guidance regarding free, prior, and informed consent, which allows indigenous communities to approve or reject projects affecting their territories.
These Guidelines are widely adopted by businesses in global supply chains across various sectors and are increasingly used as a reference point for government policymaking, such as the ongoing negotiations regarding the proposed European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) which fourth round of inter-institutional negotiations (trilogues) is tentatively expected to take place in the second half of November 2023 and its adoption is expected by the end of the current European Commission’s mandate.
GET READY FOR CSDDD
To help companies getting ready to comply with the CSDDD, CSR Europe has developed the EU Alignment Service. This service aims to fill existing gaps in companies’ current strategies and anticipate the adaptation process, vis-á-vis the requirements of the different pieces of legislation that are currently under discussion, including the CSDDD. To know more, get in touch with Lorena Sorrentino, Manager, Markets Manager (ls@csreurope.org)
For more information:
Contact Giorgia Miccoli, EU Affairs Senior Specialist
Von der Leyen Commission: What Has Been Done for People, the Environment, and Transparency?
As we move towards the end of the Von der Leyen Commission, which has been at the helm of the European Commission since 2019, a review of the key steps measures and initiatives launched is an interesting exercise to understand its key achievements on sustainability.
Here are some of the key accomplishments:
HORIZONTAL ACHIEVEMENTS
The European Green Deal: In December 2019, the VdL Commission launched its key Communication, making bold strides in combating climate change, the European Green Deal. Its aim is to make the EU carbon-neutral by 2050 and has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting clean energy, and fostering sustainable agriculture.
Digital Transformation: The Commission prioritized digital transformation, unveiling the Digital Europe Program and the EU Data Strategy. These initiatives aim to ensure digital sovereignty, support innovation, and protect data privacy.
The Green Deal Industrial Plan: Unveiled by the Commission in June 2023, the Green Deal Industrial Plan aims at boosting Europe's competitive edge in achieving climate neutrality while supporting the growth of net-zero industries, aligning with existing European Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. Its four key pillars include creating a streamlined regulatory framework, facilitating access to financing, strengthening skills development, and promoting open trade for resilient supply chains. The plan underscores a commitment to accelerating clean tech innovation and climate neutrality through investment in training and skills development.
Global Gateway: This is an ambitious European strategy aimed at bolstering smart, sustainable, and secure connections in digital, energy, and transport sectors while enhancing global health, education, and research systems. This initiative serves as the EU's response to addressing the global investment gap and is in harmony with the G7 leaders' commitment to creating a values-driven, high-standard, and transparent infrastructure partnership.
PEOPLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Reinforcement of EU Health: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for a more robust EU health strategy. The Commission responded by establishing the European Health Union, fostering cooperation in healthcare, vaccine procurement, and pandemic preparedness.
Gender Equality Strategy: The Von der Leyen Commission launched the Gender Equality Strategy, focusing on narrowing gender gaps in various sectors. It has promoted women's participation in the workforce, politics, and decision-making roles.
European Pact for Skills: This initiative is a vital initiative aimed at bridging skills gaps and fostering workforce development across the European Union, fostering collaboration between businesses, education, and policymakers to enhance employability and innovation. It promotes a future-ready workforce, aligning skills with the evolving needs of the job market.
MARKETS ACHIEVEMENTS
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive: This directive introduces robust reporting standards, enhancing transparency in corporate sustainability practices, and aligning them with the EU's broader sustainability goals. Together with the EFRAG, the European Commission has released the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which will guide the reporting activity of companies on ESG.
A next set of ESRS is now envisioned of the next two years to come (entry into force: December 2022).
Tax Transparency: After the entry into force of the Country by Country Reporting Directive, the European Commission has also done some steps ahead in this field through the adoption of a Communication on Business Taxation for the 21st century and the new relief to boost the competitiveness and resilience of SMEs.
MATERIALS ACHIEVEMENTS
The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D): The CS3D focuses on making businesses accountable for their supply chains, ensuring they assess and address environmental and human rights risks (entry into force: Q4 2023/Q1 2024).
The Forced Labour Regulation: In order to combat modern slavery, this Regulation is requiring businesses to scrutinize their supply chains and eradicate forced labor, furthering ethical and responsible business practices (entry into force: Q1 2024).
The Deforestation Regulation: This regulation aims to reduce deforestation by prohibiting the import products linked to deforestation, reinforcing the EU's commitment to environmental conservation (entry into force: June 2023).
The Battery Regulation: It enhances sustainability by promoting the recycling and responsible disposal of batteries, reducing environmental impacts and fostering the transition to cleaner energy sources (entry into force: July 2023).
The Nature Restoration Law: A significant environmental initiative, the Nature Restoration Law is designed to restore and protect Europe's ecosystems and biodiversity. It sets out ambitious targets and strategies for rejuvenating natural habitats, reaffirming the European Union's commitment to preserving its natural heritage (entry into force: Q4 2023/Q1 2024).
The Von der Leyen Commission's tenure has been marked by a commitment to sustainability, resilience, and unity, addressing the pressing challenges facing the EU and the world. These achievements pave the way for a stronger, more sustainable future for the European Union.
For more information:
EU Affairs Senior Specialist
A European Health Union: A Blueprint for Generations
The ongoing global health crisis has prompted many European citizens to question the progress of official European cooperation on health policy. At present, a consensus on the objectives, goals, actions, and instruments for a reformed European health policy remains elusive, with diverse opinions regarding the future of the European Health Union (EHU).
On October 19, the book titled “European Health Union: A Blueprint for Generations”, edited by Vytenis Andriukaitis, Chair of the All Policies for a Healthy Europe Initiative, was published, offering valuable insights into this complex landscape.
The book comprises essays from world-renowned experts that address various aspects of the European Health Union. It delves into the legal foundations of the EHU, highlighting the development and strengthening of relations between European member states and the citizens' growing support for health investments at the European level. The book also explores potential institutional and treaty changes, emphasizing the urgent steps needed to progress toward an inclusive and socially responsible EHU.
By expanding the perspective beyond crisis management, this book offers a forward-looking vision of what a progressive European Health Union could mean for future generations. It underlines the significance of this initiative and its potential to transform the health and well-being of European citizens.
This book is the result of a wider effort on the topic, which engages key organizations and stakeholders under the umbrella of the All Policy for a Healthy Europe (AP4HE), an intersectoral initiative advocating for putting citizens’ health and well-being at the heart of European policymaking.
As a proud Knowledge Partner of this initiative, CSR Europe has been participating and contributing to the goal of fostering health & well-being policies at the European level.
For more information:
Contact Giorgia Miccoli, EU Affairs Senior Specialist
Download the European Health and Well-being Deal
