Australia: Revised Dietary Guidelines to Incorporate Sustainability
The Dietary Guidelines Expert Committee of Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has identified sustainable diets —accessible, affordable and equitable with low environmental impacts— as a high priority for inclusion in the next edition of the country’s official dietary guidelines, slated for publication in 2026.
EU: Sustainable Use Regulation to Be Withdrawn
In a speech at the Parliament on February 6, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would withdraw the Commission’s proposed Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR), which sought to halve pesticide use by 2030. “The SUR proposal has become a symbol of polarization,” explained von der Leyen. “It has been rejected by the European Parliament. There is no progress anymore in the Council either. So we have to do something.” Consequently, the Commission’s 2009 directive on the sustainable use of pesticides will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
EU: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Update
On February 7, the Council and Parliament reached a provisional deal to delay the adoption of sustainability reporting standards for certain sectors and for certain third-country undertakings, amending the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The agreement would give more time for companies to prepare for the sectorial European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and for specific standards for large non-EU companies, which will be adopted in June 2026, two years later than the originally scheduled date. The provisional agreement now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both institutions before it can be published in the Official Journal.
EU: Parliament Adopts Proposal on Food Waste
On February 14, 2024, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee adopted its position on the proposed revision of the Waste Framework Directive. A plenary session of Parliament adopted its position on the proposal in March. The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the European elections in June.
EU: Directive Banning Greenwashing Published in Official Journal
On March 6, 2024, Directive (EU) 2024/825, which empowers consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair practices and through better information, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This directive amends the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) and the Consumer Rights Directive (CRD) and prohibits the making of a generic environmental claim without recognized excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim. Member States will have two years to transpose the directive into their national legislation.
EU: Parliament Adopts Position on Green Claims Directive
On March 11-12, 2024, the European Parliament debated and voted on the proposal for a directive on the substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive). Relevant amendments to the draft included clearer rules for environmental labeling schemes and a simplified procedure for certain environmental claims. After the EU elections in June, the new Parliament will continue working on the file and engage in trilogue negotiations.
EU: Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive Secures Majority Backing of EU Member States
On March 15, 2024, the Permanent Representative Committee endorsed the final compromise text of the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), with significant changes. For example, reference to higher-risk sectors (including agriculture) has been removed, and employee and turnover thresholds have been increased to 1,000 employees and €450 million, respectively. Parliament will vote on the Directive in the coming weeks.