The UK is moving forward with its ambition to become a “world leader for sustainable finance” with two connected projects designed to increase the availability of “high‑quality, decision‑useful” sustainability‑related information for investors and other users of financial statements and sustainability reports. First, the UK government has officially endorsed new voluntary
Continue Reading Movement in the UK on Sustainability Reporting
Paul Mertenskötter
Paul Mertenskötter advises companies, investors, and governments on regulatory sustainability, international trade, and public policy matters.
Paul has particular experience advising multinational companies on EU sustainability laws, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Taxonomy Regulation, the Forced Labor Regulation, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). His practice also spans a wide range of climate change issues, including carbon offsets, accounting rules, and related international sustainability reporting frameworks such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). Paul further advises clients on their strategic engagement with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), free trade agreements, the Paris Agreement, and general public international law.
Prior to joining the firm, Paul was a Visiting Scholar at the WTO in Geneva, clerked at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and was a Fellow at the Institute for International Law and Justice at NYU Law School.
EU CBAM – Commission Proposes Expansion to Complex Metal Products
In December 2025, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Regulation (“Proposal”) to extend the scope of downstream goods subject to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”), and provide flexibility to the Commission to exempt specific products in order address adverse market impacts and…
Continue Reading EU CBAM – Commission Proposes Expansion to Complex Metal ProductsEU CSDDD/CSRD Omnibus Published in Official Journal: Transposition, Delegated Acts, and Guidelines Are Next
On February 26, 2026, the European Union published Directive (EU) 2026/470 on the simplification of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) in its Official Journal, clearing the final step in the Omnibus I legislative process.
This blog post: (i) summarizes the substance…
Continue Reading EU CSDDD/CSRD Omnibus Published in Official Journal: Transposition, Delegated Acts, and Guidelines Are NextThe CSRD/CSDDD Omnibus Endgame: Key Points for Companies
After months of uncertainty, the outlook for key EU sustainability laws is far clearer.
On November 13, 2025, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”) Omnibus simplification. This follows the European Commission’s Omnibus proposal in…
Continue Reading The CSRD/CSDDD Omnibus Endgame: Key Points for CompaniesTask Force for Corporate Action Transparency Launches New Frameworks for Climate Action Reporting
In the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil, the newly created Task Force for Corporate Action Transparency (TCAT) launched two comprehensive greenhouse gas reporting frameworks designed to fill an important gap in how companies measure, report on, and verify their corporate climate actions. TCAT leadership has indicated that the frameworks will…
Continue Reading Task Force for Corporate Action Transparency Launches New Frameworks for Climate Action ReportingCarbon Measures Coalition Signals Growing Momentum for Ledger-Based Carbon Accounting
On October 20, 2025, a coalition of nineteen leading companies in the energy, finance, and logistics sectors, launched the Carbon Measures Coalition, proposing a significant departure from established carbon accounting frameworks. The Coalition represents a prominent industry-led effort to move away from traditional inventory-based emission calculation methods toward a…
Continue Reading Carbon Measures Coalition Signals Growing Momentum for Ledger-Based Carbon AccountingThe Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Proposed Scope 2 Guidance: Key Changes and Considerations for Stakeholders
In late October, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (“GHG Protocol”) proposed updated Scope 2 guidance for companies quantifying and reporting their greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. If finalized as proposed, the guidance would have significant impacts on how companies plan their renewable energy investments and measure progress toward their climate goals. The…
Continue Reading The Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Proposed Scope 2 Guidance: Key Changes and Considerations for StakeholdersState Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programs: New York’s Proposed Mandatory Reporting Program and California’s Existing Program
While the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is proposing to amend the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (“GHGRP”) to remove reporting requirements for nearly all sources, it remains important for companies to track developments and manage their compliance obligations with existing and emerging state GHG reporting programs. Several states, such as…
Continue Reading State Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programs: New York’s Proposed Mandatory Reporting Program and California’s Existing ProgramEU Member States Agree on CSRD/CSDDD Omnibus Negotiating Mandate
On June 23, 2025 the Council of the EU, which represents the 27 EU Member States, agreed on its negotiating mandate for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”) omnibus simplification.
This follows the European Commission’s omnibus proposal from February and is the next…
Continue Reading EU Member States Agree on CSRD/CSDDD Omnibus Negotiating MandateEUDR Back on the Horizon: Preparing for December 2025 Compliance
After its 12-month deferral, the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (“EUDR”) is set to apply from December 30, 2025. Many companies are therefore refocusing EUDR compliance efforts. This blog provides an update on the rules and guidance and key, practical takeaways for companies.
The European Commission (“Commission”) recently provided new and updated…
Continue Reading EUDR Back on the Horizon: Preparing for December 2025 Compliance