Sustainability

German Environment Agency Publishes Fact Sheet On Overestimated Climate And Environmental Targeting In Proposed EU Budget 2028–2034

In April 2026, the **German Environment Agency (UBA)** released a fact sheet arguing that the European Commission’s proposed **EU budget (MFF) 2028–2034** significantly overstates climate and environmental spending because many intervention areas are tagged with overly generous green coefficients. If taken up in the upcoming MFF negotiations, this critique could reshape climate‑ and environment‑labelled funding streams—especially in agriculture and cohesion policy—by tightening how EU budget lines qualify as genuinely supporting green objectives.

10 Apr 2026, 13:39umweltbundesamt.deEuropean Union

HEAL Responds to European Commission Call for Evidence on DNSH Guidance for 2028–2034 EU Budget

HEAL urges the European Commission to make forthcoming DNSH guidance for the 2028–2034 EU budget apply uniformly across all programmes, backed by horizontal exclusion lists for fossil fuels, biomass burning, ammonia‑intensive agriculture and PFAS‑polluting activities, and stronger tracking of DNSH‑aligned spending. If reflected in the final guidance, these positions would tighten eligibility rules for EU‑funded investments, increasing scrutiny of pollution‑intensive projects and raising expectations that beneficiaries of EU funds can evidence alignment with Taxonomy‑style environmental and health safeguards.

10 Apr 2026, 13:26ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Authorises Catalan State Aid Scheme for Zero-Emission Industrial Technologies (SA.121547)

In March 2026 the European Commission approved a EUR 50 million Catalan state aid scheme (SA.121547) supporting zero‑emission industrial technologies across multiple sectors, including chemical manufacturing, with grants available until the end of 2030. This authorisation strengthens the investment case for large decarbonisation and process‑upgrade projects in Catalonia, signalling continued EU backing for public funding of low‑carbon industrial transformation.

10 Apr 2026, 12:37eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionSpain

New York Senate Proposes Healthy and Green Procurement Act (S09743)

New York has introduced Senate bill S09743, the **"New York state healthy and green procurement act"**, to hard‑wire life‑cycle environmental and health criteria into state purchasing decisions and steer demand away from priority toxic substances and high‑impact products.[^1^](https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S09743&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y#jump_to_Summary) If enacted, suppliers to New York state agencies will increasingly need to demonstrate recycled content, energy efficiency, green‑building compatibility and reduced use of substances such as PFAS, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A, mercury, lead, dioxins and PVC in order to remain eligible for state contracts.[^3^](https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S09743&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y#jump_to_Text)

10 Apr 2026, 10:44assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Taiwan Ministry of Environment Simplifies GHG Inventory Reporting for Chain Businesses Ahead of 30 April 2026 Deadline

Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has launched simplified greenhouse‑gas inventory reporting tools for chain businesses and reminded newly regulated enterprises to register and upload their 2025 emissions reports by 30 April 2026. This streamlines compliance while tightening inclusion of franchised outlets, so multi‑site retailers, telecoms, transport operators and large service providers need to align data systems and governance quickly to avoid non‑compliance and support Taiwan’s net‑zero transition.

10 Apr 2026, 10:28enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Oregon Enacts Law Establishing Blue Economy Task Force

Oregon has established a Blue Economy Task Force to develop a strategic roadmap for sustainable coastal and marine economic growth by September 2027. Marine-sector operators should engage with the task force to influence upcoming policy recommendations on investment, workforce development, and regulatory coordination.

9 Apr 2026, 14:17olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

European Commission Publishes 2026 Union-Level Methodology for IACS Quality Assessments

The European Commission has finalized the 2026 Union-level methodology for quality assessments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) monitoring systems, including the Area Monitoring System (AMS). This update tightens the technical oversight of area-based environmental and climate interventions, requiring Member States to implement stricter sampling and reporting to ensure the integrity of CAP sustainability performance data.

9 Apr 2026, 09:43ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Minnesota NGOs Challenge FSC Certification Of State DNR Forestry Program

Formal complaint filed to suspend Minnesota DNR’s FSC certification over alleged procedural failures and non-compliance with wildlife conservation standards. This challenge creates immediate reputational and supply chain risks for timber buyers, signaling a shift toward stricter oversight of third-party sustainability claims.

6 Apr 2026, 19:48peer.orgUnited States

OECD Analyses Reporting Requirements in Social and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation

The OECD has identified significant fragmentation in reporting requirements across global due diligence laws, including the EU CSDDD, CSRD, and US UFLPA. Firms must manage overlapping data-collection burdens while tracking emerging policy moves toward international standardization and interoperable digital reporting formats.

6 Apr 2026, 19:38oecd.orgGlobalEuropean UnionUnited KingdomAustraliaCanadaNorwayGermanyFranceUnited States

OECD Maps Social and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation Across 11 Jurisdictions

The OECD has released a comprehensive mapping of 21 social and environmental due diligence laws across 11 jurisdictions, benchmarking them against international standards. This synthesis provides a critical baseline for companies to align global supply chain compliance and disclosure programs with diverging regional legal requirements.

6 Apr 2026, 19:30oecd.orgGlobal

Ofwat Issues Remuneration And Governance Rules For Water Companies

Ofwat has finalized binding governance rules under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, mandating executive pay restrictions, consumer engagement, and director fitness tests starting April 2026. Regulated water companies must integrate consumer feedback into material decisions and formalize board-level integrity assessments, signaling a shift toward heightened accountability and direct regulatory oversight of corporate governance.

3 Apr 2026, 18:46ofwat.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

New York Proposes Dark Skies Protection Act Regulating Outdoor Night Lighting

New York has introduced the Dark Skies Protection Act, proposing mandatory shielding and operational curfews for outdoor lighting on residential, commercial, and industrial properties starting January 2028. Manufacturers and property operators should prepare for new equipment design standards and potential retrofitting requirements to ensure compliance with statewide light pollution controls.

3 Apr 2026, 18:26assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Wales Publishes Section 7 Biodiversity Duty Guidance for Public Authorities

The Welsh Government has issued updated guidance and species/habitat lists to support public authorities in meeting their statutory Section 7 biodiversity duties. These standards will increasingly influence land-use planning, procurement requirements, and environmental impact assessments for private sector projects in Wales.

3 Apr 2026, 18:22gov.walesUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Issues Scoping Note and Participation Plan for North Sea Programme 2028–2033

The Dutch government has launched the formal development of the North Sea Programme 2028–2033, initiating a six-week public consultation on the scoping and participation framework. This programme will establish the long-term spatial and environmental rules for the North Sea, shaping future permitting requirements and operational constraints for maritime, energy, and coastal industries.

3 Apr 2026, 18:18rijksoverheid.nlNetherlands

Japan Publishes Chemical Substance Management Action Plan for Nature-Positive Ver.1.0

Japan has launched its first 'Nature-Positive' Chemical Substance Management Action Plan, integrating biodiversity protection into national chemical risk assessment and regulatory frameworks. This signals a strategic shift toward life-cycle ecosystem impact assessments and likely future revisions to the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL).

3 Apr 2026, 09:56env.go.jpJapan

ISSA 5000 Sustainability Assurance Standard Takes Effect in 2026: Accountancy Bodies Release Practical Guidance for Assurance Professionals

The global ISSA 5000 sustainability assurance standard becomes effective in 2026, establishing a universal framework for verifying ESG disclosures. Companies must prepare for more rigorous auditing of forward-looking data and transition plans as mandatory assurance requirements expand across major jurisdictions.

2 Apr 2026, 16:59iaasb.orgGlobalEuropean Union

Asturias Adopts New Management Plan (PRUG) for Picos de Europa National Park

Asturias has implemented a new 10-year Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) for the Picos de Europa National Park, effective March 2026. The framework streamlines administrative procedures for local operations while establishing stricter sustainable tourism and land-use requirements for businesses in the region.

2 Apr 2026, 08:43medioambiente.asturias.esSpain

Switzerland and Ukraine Conclude Reconstruction Cooperation Agreement

Switzerland and Ukraine have formalized a bilateral reconstruction agreement (FF 2026 798) to finance Swiss-led projects in critical infrastructure and manufacturing through 2036. Eligible Swiss firms gain a dedicated, state-financed procurement channel that mandates strict adherence to export controls, anti-corruption, and sustainability standards as core contract conditions.

2 Apr 2026, 08:34fedlex.admin.chSwitzerlandUkraine

China: Shandong Province Issues 2026 "No. 1 Document" With 33 Measures for Comprehensive Rural Revitalisation

Shandong Province has issued its 2026 "No. 1 Document," setting 33 priority tasks for agricultural modernization, food security, and rural environmental governance. This signals a strategic shift toward "normalised" rural assistance and stricter environmental targets, likely driving future infrastructure investment and wastewater management standards.

1 Apr 2026, 19:45shandong.gov.cnChina

EU Council Presidency Publishes Compromise Text for EU Space Act Regulation on Space Activities

The EU Council has released a compromise text for the EU Space Act, establishing a harmonized framework for the safety, cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability of space operations. To maintain EU market access, operators must prepare for mandatory certification and life-cycle environmental reporting, with non-compliance risking fines of up to 2% of global turnover.

1 Apr 2026, 19:12data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union