Stay informed on the latest sustainability developments with this weekly update, covering pivotal shifts in environmental policy, energy efficiency, and regulatory frameworks.
This week’s highlights include Japan’s new sustainability disclosure standards, Malaysia’s Carbon Capture Act, and the upcoming ESA Biomass satellite mission. We also cover indigenous protests at Peru’s Antapaccay mine, Australia’s climate reporting guidelines, and the European Parliament’s postponement of key sustainability directives, alongside U.S. industry pushback against environmental regulations.
On March 5, 2025, the Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (SSBJ) published the final versions of its three sustainability disclosure standards. These standards are designed to supplement companies’ annual financial reports by including information on the impact of sustainability factors on financial performance. The SSBJ standards are based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2, with certain jurisdiction-specific requirements. They are intended to apply to entities listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
On March 25, 2025, Malaysia passed the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Bill 2025 (the “CCUS Act”), a comprehensive legislative framework aimed at regulating the capture, transportation, utilization, and permanent storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in Malaysia. The enactment of the CCUS Act is meant to pave the way for increased investment and economic growth in the CCUS sector. Recognizing that natural carbon absorption methods like planting and preserving trees are insufficient to meet Malaysia’s climate commitments, CCUS is intended to play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the Biomass satellite on April 29, 2025, from French Guiana. This mission aims to map the carbon content of the world’s most remote tropical forests, including those in South America. Over five years, the satellite will create detailed 3D maps of vegetation and forest structures, enhancing our understanding of carbon storage and aiding in monitoring deforestation and climate change impacts.
Indigenous communities in Peru’s Cusco region have initiated protests against Glencore’s Antapaccay copper mine, blocking access to the site. The demonstrators are expressing concerns over environmental damage and are seeking discussions with government mining officials regarding the mine’s expansion plans.
From March 31 to April 4, 2025, Santiago, Chile, hosted the eighth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development. Representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society convened to analyze progress and challenges related to the 2030 Agenda in the region
Industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council, are requesting broad exemptions from air pollution rules, citing excessive compliance costs. Environmental advocates warn that such exemptions could lead to increased air pollution-related diseases and developmental damage in children.
The Trump administration is advancing plans to overturn state-level bans on hazardous chemicals, including PFAS “forever chemicals,” by redefining how chemical risks are evaluated. Critics argue this could dismantle critical protections and expose the public to higher levels of toxic chemicals.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/05/trump-pfas-toxic-forever-chemicals
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) released Regulatory Guide 280, outlining compliance expectations under the country’s mandatory climate reporting law. The guide introduces details on climate scenario analysis and scope 3 emissions reporting.
https://download.asic.gov.au/media/j4rhwyiz/rg280-published-31-march-2025.pdf
ASIC is reminding small businesses to learn more about how they can be best prepared under Australia’s new mandatory sustainability reporting requirements, even if it may not apply to them directly. The Australian government introduced mandatory sustainability reporting requirements for large businesses and financial institutions which commenced from 1 January 2025. Many small businesses form part of the value chain of larger businesses, which means they may need to engage with climate reporting considerations over time, even if they do not have any direct climate reporting obligations.
On April 3, 2025, the European Parliament voted to postpone the implementation deadlines of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The motion passed with an overwhelming majority, supporting the European Commission’s “stop-the-clock” proposal to streamline corporate sustainability requirements and reduce compliance burdens on companies. The Council of the EU had already endorsed the delay on March 26, 2025.