Corporate ESG Reporting

Vermont House Takes Up Senate Amendments To H.740 Greenhouse Gas Inventory And Registry Bill And Requests Conference Committee

In May 2026, the Vermont Legislature moved climate bill H.740, which would authorise a statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory and registry, into House consideration of Senate amendments and conference negotiations. If enacted, this framework would enable new greenhouse gas emissions reporting and data submission requirements, particularly for fuel suppliers, so companies with Vermont operations should monitor the final bill text and subsequent Agency of Natural Resources rulemaking.

24 May 2026, 20:33legislature.vermont.govUnited States

European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) Issues Call For Tender On Cost–Benefit Analysis Of N-ESRS For Non-EU Companies

In May 2026 EFRAG launched a tender to commission an external cost–benefit analysis supporting the development of European Sustainability Reporting Standards for non-EU companies under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. This early-stage move signals that EU policymakers are actively preparing potential N-ESRS requirements for large non-EU groups with significant EU activities, so affected companies should closely track the process and its timelines for future disclosure impacts.

23 May 2026, 20:06efrag.orgEuropean Union

UK Government Updates Gender Pay Gap Reporting Guidance On Recording Employees’ Sex

In May 2026 the UK Government Equalities Office updated its statutory gender pay gap reporting guidance to require employers to base reporting on employees’ biological sex, with specific instructions on handling staff who hold Gender Recognition Certificates. Large employers must now review how HR and payroll systems capture, store, and protect sex data for annual pay gap returns to ensure alignment with the Equality Act framework while minimising confidentiality and litigation risks.

23 May 2026, 20:02gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Illinois Bill SB4006 On Climate Risk Disclosure And Flood Coverage Notices Placed On House Third Reading Calendar

Illinois Senate Bill 4006, which would tighten insurance cancellation and flood coverage notice rules and create a climate risk disclosure requirement for large insurers, has passed the Senate and been placed on the Illinois House third-reading calendar in May 2026. If enacted in its current form, insurers selling into Illinois will need to prepare for new customer-facing flood disclosures, longer notice timelines, and mandatory participation in NAIC climate risk surveys from 1 January 2027 under the draft, likely requiring updates to policy forms, systems, and ESG reporting frameworks.

23 May 2026, 08:57ilga.govUnited States

Norway Transparency Act (Åpenhetsloven) Requires Annual Due Diligence Statement by 30 June

Norwegian companies covered by the Transparency Act must publish a signed, web-accessible due diligence statement by 30 June each year, and sector associations are now reminding members ahead of the 2026 deadline. Compliance and ESG teams should ensure their 2025-period Transparency Act statement is finalised, board-approved, and online by 30 June 2026, given the absolute nature of the deadline and the risk of enforcement sanctions for non-compliance.

22 May 2026, 18:52forbrukertilsynet.noNorway

Netherlands Publishes Decision Note on IASP Member-State Option Under CSRD

In May 2026 the Dutch government issued a decision note to parliament assessing whether to use the Independent Assurance Service Provider (IASP) member-state option under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The note weighs broader provider choice and potential quality gains against added regulatory complexity and a shrinking pool of Dutch CSRD reporters, signalling likely direction for future assurance requirements but no immediate new obligations.

22 May 2026, 17:11zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Netherlands Publishes SEO Report On CSRD IASP Member-State Option

The Dutch government has published an SEO and Nyenrode study analysing how the Netherlands could use the CSRD member-state option to allow independent assurance service providers, alongside auditors, to sign sustainability assurance opinions. The options assessed—keeping assurance solely with audit firms, introducing accredited IASPs, or formalising collaboration with conformity assessment bodies—will shape future Dutch CSRD assurance capacity, market structure, and costs for companies, but do not yet change reporting obligations.

22 May 2026, 17:11zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Netherlands Cabinet Decides Not To Use CSRD IASP Member-State Option

In May 2026 the Dutch cabinet responded to research on the CSRD IASP member-state option and decided that statutory sustainability assurance under the CSRD will remain reserved for accountants rather than being opened to non-accountant assurance providers. This confirms that Dutch companies in scope of the now much narrower post-Omnibus I CSRD must continue planning around accountant-based assurance capacity, while the government monitors the smaller assurance market and may revisit its stance if future capacity or quality issues emerge.

22 May 2026, 16:53zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

EU Council Presidency Discussion Paper on SFDR Review for 18 May 2026 Working Party

The Council Presidency has tabled a confidential discussion paper on the review of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation for consideration at the 18 May 2026 Council Working Party meeting. This signals that detailed Member State negotiations on SFDR reform are underway, foreshadowing potential future changes to ESG disclosure obligations for EU financial market participants even though no new rules are adopted yet.

21 May 2026, 06:38consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Council of the EU Working Party Draft Agenda for SFDR Review Meeting on 18 May 2026

The Council of the EU has registered a draft agenda for a working party meeting on 18 May 2026 to discuss the review of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. This signals ongoing political negotiation on SFDR reform but, with the agenda text still non-public, it brings no immediate compliance obligations while indicating that substantive changes may emerge from forthcoming Council and co-legislator documents.

21 May 2026, 06:38consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Working Document WK-6945/2026: Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation Questionnaire After 18 May 2026 Working Party Meeting — Responses Due 22 May 2026 COB

The Council of the EU has issued working document WK-6945/2026 with a questionnaire on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation for national delegations, following an 18 May 2026 working party meeting and requiring replies by 22 May 2026 close of business. This rapid internal consultation signals intensifying Council work on SFDR and suggests that member-state input over the coming days could influence the direction and pace of any future amendments.

21 May 2026, 06:38eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Vermont Senate Considers Amendments to H.740 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Registry Bill

Vermont lawmakers are advancing H.740, a bill that would authorise the Agency of Natural Resources to build a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions reporting programme and registry, with the Senate now considering floor amendments following House passage in March 2026. If enacted and funded, this framework would expand state-level greenhouse gas data collection for fuel suppliers and other emitters and shape the timing and design of future reporting and climate compliance obligations in Vermont.

21 May 2026, 06:35ljfo.vermont.govUnited States

California Assembly Advances AB 2599 on Slavery-Related Corporate Disclosures to Third Reading

In May 2026, the California Assembly advanced AB 2599, a bill that would require large companies doing business in the state to disclose historical involvement in slavery and link compliance with these disclosures to eligibility for significant state contracts. If enacted, this measure would create a public registry of slavery-related corporate records, introduce new affidavit and certification obligations for large multinationals operating in California, and materially raise human rights and supply chain transparency expectations in state-level procurement.

20 May 2026, 17:59leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Vermont Senate Moves H.740 Greenhouse Gas Inventory And Registry Bill To Third Reading

On 19 May 2026, the Vermont Senate moved climate bill H.740 on greenhouse gas inventory and registry to third reading following favourable committee reports and a 17–12 vote to order third reading. If enacted, the bill would empower the Agency of Natural Resources to impose comprehensive greenhouse-gas data reporting rules, particularly on fuel suppliers, and to build a statewide emissions database, signalling future compliance obligations for Vermont energy and emissions‑intensive businesses.

19 May 2026, 21:03legislature.vermont.govUnited States

Vermont Senate Finance Committee Backs H.740 Greenhouse Gas Inventory And Registry Bill

Vermont lawmakers are advancing House Bill H.740, which would authorise the Agency of Natural Resources to establish a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions reporting and registry system, with the Senate Finance Committee issuing a favourable report on 14 May 2026. If enacted, it will require final greenhouse gas reporting rules by 1 July 2027 and obligate fuel suppliers and other emission sources to provide detailed emissions-related data, strengthening Vermont’s climate-policy baseline and future reporting expectations.

15 May 2026, 13:35legislature.vermont.govUnited States

UNFCCC Publishes Technical Expert Review of Georgia's First Biennial Transparency Report (FCCC/ETF/TERR.1/2024/GEO)

UNFCCC has released the technical expert review report on Georgia's first biennial transparency report, outlining how the country is reporting its greenhouse gas emissions and climate actions under the UN climate framework. The findings do not create direct corporate obligations but signal how Georgia's climate transparency and ambition are evolving, which can shape future climate policies, carbon pricing, and ESG reporting expectations for businesses operating there.

15 May 2026, 13:28docs.un.orgGeorgia

France Proposes Core PAI Indicator Set and Materiality-Based Framework for SFDR 2.0

France has submitted an EU Council non-paper proposing a small core set of mandatory Principal Adverse Impact indicators and a more structured, materiality-based PAI framework for SFDR 2.0 ahead of Council Working Party discussions in May 2026. If these ideas shape the final SFDR review, financial market participants could face a refocused but more prescriptive PAI regime, with stronger reliance on standard indicators, tighter expectations even for “ESG basics” products, and closer alignment with ESRS data and SFDR RTS.

14 May 2026, 09:32data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionFrance

EU Council Draft Agenda for 4 May 2026 SFDR Review Meeting

The Council’s General Secretariat has issued the detailed agenda for the 4 May 2026 Working Party meeting on the SFDR review, highlighting national non-papers on sovereign debt, transition credibility, exclusions, principal adverse impacts, and alternative assets. This clarifies which aspects of the SFDR review member states are prioritising in negotiations, signalling potential future adjustments to ESG fund disclosures and product design rather than any immediate new obligations.

14 May 2026, 09:32data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Council of the EU Compiles Member State Replies to SFDR Review Questionnaire (WK 6064/2026 INIT)

The Council of the EU has circulated a working paper compiling detailed replies from 21 Member States to the Commission’s SFDR review questionnaire, clarifying national positions on SFDR 2.0 categories, scope, disclosure simplification and the use of ESG data. For financial institutions this is an important early policy signal: it does not change SFDR obligations today but highlights areas where future legislative amendments, templates and marketing rules for sustainable products and non-categorised products are most likely to evolve.

14 May 2026, 09:32data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Vermont Senate Refers Greenhouse Gas Inventory And Registry Bill H.740 To Appropriations Committee

Vermont bill H.740 to establish a greenhouse gas inventory and registry has advanced in the Senate, with referral to the Appropriations Committee and a hearing set for mid May 2026. If enacted, this framework could formalise statewide greenhouse gas accounting and pave the way for future reporting obligations, so sustainability and ESG teams should track the bill’s progress and prepare for potential data and disclosure impacts.

14 May 2026, 05:57legislature.vermont.govUnited States