Insights

In line with the EU’s ‘Financing Sustainable Growth’ Action Plan 2018, the European Commission adopted a number of delegated acts which will impact (re)insurance undertakings and insurance distributors. These changes will apply from 2 August 2022.

Effective from 1st August 2022, Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2021/1270 (“new regulation”) requires all UCITS Management Companies (“UCITS Mancos”) to integrate sustainability risks into the management of UCITS.

The global economic crisis that resulted as a consequence of the pandemic has stressed the relevance of prioritising sustainability pillars within financial services.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) is implementing a new policy strategy regarding institutions’ Pillar 3 disclosures. The new Pillar 3 disclosures aims to promote transparency and enhance institutions’ management of Environmental, Social or Governance (ESG) risks. The EBA is encouraging institutions to foster an awareness of the important role ESG risks play in the transition to a greener economy.

Firms that are in scope of the AIFMD, UCITS and MiFID regimes need to become familiar with the changes that are applicable to their business activity and analyse how they will comply with the new obligations. Firms will need to review and update their existing business plan, systems and policies to incorporate the concept of sustainability into their daily operations.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is beginning to provide tangible guidance to financial institutions as to how climate change and environmental risks should be managed within an organisation.

The Non-Financial Reporting Directive (Directive 2014/95/EU) (‘NFRD’) is currently in place, and is the forerunner to the proposed Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.