2024 Outlook on global ESG and sustainability regulatory developments

The Allen & Overy Podcast archive

In this podcast, members from our global ESG and sustainability team discuss what lies ahead on the sustainability agenda and the key regulatory developments to watch in 2024.

The main themes include:

• Political and economic drivers of market activity and regulation, including the implications of 2024's “year of elections” and of the commitments made at COP28 [01:23];
• Sustainability data and reporting – key trends in the global sustainability reporting landscape [17:26], and three significant challenges for business, namely: scope 3 GHG emissions, transition plans, and nature [26:17].
• Supply chains – significant regulatory initiatives focusing on adverse impacts on human rights and the environment [31:56], deforestation [40:09], and critical minerals for the net zero transition [35:08].
• Carbon pricing, carbon trading and related measures, including carbon border adjustment mechanisms [44:05], voluntary carbon markets and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement [47:47].
• Closing thoughts [50:26], including on ESG litigation, greenwashing claims and enforcement, the weaponisation of ESG, PFAS regulatory enforcement and litigation, and the interplay between taxonomies, reporting frameworks and transition plans.

This podcast was recorded on 31 January 2024.