Andreas Rasche’s Post

In 2023, over 230 new climate cases against corporations or governments were filed in courts, according to new research by LSE's Grantham Institute. Biggest sub-category: 47 cases alone relate to 'climate washing' (70% of these cases being ruled in favour of the claimants). Talk is not cheap anymore... The U.S. records by far the highest number of cases (1,745 over time with 129 new cases in 2023). Good sign: cases in the Global south are increasing with overall more than 200 recorded cases over time, for instance in India. Interesting: the database added so-called 'transition risk' cases - i.e., cases where boards and management are/were sued because they mismanaged the low-carbon transition (still limited cases, though). Climate change litigation is vital to ensure accountability. Earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland did not adequately protect its citizens from the serious adverse effects of climate change on lives, health, well-being and quality of life. This landmark case is likely to create further litigation against governments to push for the development and(!) implementation of adequate climate targets. Full Report: https://lnkd.in/dvGkK6kC #climatechange, #sustainability, #greenwashing

Last night, EU leaders adopted the Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029, which sets out the policy priorities for the upcoming term. Climate and sustainability no longer feature as a top priority (see image). Rather, the Green Deal is framed around bolstering Europe's competitiveness. The Agenda states: "We will be pragmatic and harness the potential of the green and digital transitions to create the markets, industries and high-quality jobs of the future. [...] We will pursue a just and fair climate transition, with the aim of staying competitive globally and increasing our energy sovereignty." So, where is the Green Deal heading? Here is my take: 1️⃣ Europe will not completely reverse course on the Green Deal (e.g., overturning legislation). Yet the rhetorical framing will be different and this is likely to create substantive changes in the sense that green actions will be slower and have a more "pragmatic" spin (lower ambitions). 2️⃣ Climate actions will be tied closer to increasing Europe's energy security and sovereignty. Being dependent on oil, gas and coal imports remains a challenge for Europe. Legislators are likely to push even more for lower-cost clean energy. 3️⃣ The explicit mentioning of the need "to reduce the bureaucratic and regulatory burden at all levels" could have implications for future sustainability legislation (e.g. reduced scope) but may also push the digital-sustainability link. The Green Deal is alive, but the enthusiasm of 2019 has turned into much more instrumental concerns... The precise actions will depend on where Ursula von der Leyen (who was nominated again) will "find" the votes for her reelection on 18 July. Full text of the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029: https://lnkd.in/d5Q269bQ #eugreendeal, #sustainability, #esg, #climatechange

New research looking into why people support climate action but then do not act. Main finding: While people in principle support a low-carbon lifestyle, entrenched public discussions of climate delay are limiting peoples' beliefs that a low-carbon future is possible. The study identifies four 'entrenched' public narratives of climate inaction (see image). Many people draw on elements of these narratives and thereby generate defensive responses to discussions of low-carbon lifestyles. This undermines the public's belief that change is possible and fair... Such research is critical as it moves beyond just looking at peoples' intentions. For instance, very recent studies show: (1) the vast majority of people want governments to take stronger climate action (80% across countries - https://lnkd.in/d2CxjiFV) and (2) a majority of people are willing to pay for climate action (69% across countries - https://lnkd.in/d-jndW4M). BUT, we need to understand much better why these intensions do not translate into individual behaviour change - such as lifestyle choices and, most of all, voting behavior... == Full Study (open access): https://lnkd.in/dFyH2ceG #climatechange, #esg, #sustainability, #climateaction

The European Council has finally agreed on its position related to the 'Green Claims Directive'. Overall, the Council's position is weaker than the one proposed by the Parliament. We can expect that the final trilogue negotiations will produce a version of the Directive that is 'softer' on several measures. 1️⃣ OFFSETS: The Council's position introduces more flexibility when it comes to the use of offsets when making climate neutrality or net-zero claims (see here: https://lnkd.in/dgt7xS74). 2️⃣ SUBSTANTIATION OF CLAIMS: The Council kept the basic principle that green claims need to be verified, but it introduced several exemptions where companies can be compliant by only filling out a 'technical document'. Essentially, this moves substantiation towards self-assessments in some areas. 3️⃣ ECO-LABELS: The Council suggests that environmental labels that are regulated by the EU or national law can operate without any third-party verification (provided they meet other EU standards). On the positive side, the Council introduced several support measures for SMEs. The process will continue with the new legislative cycle. Downside: The two rapporteurs in the Parliament who drove the process (Andrus Ansip and Cyrus Engerer) were both no re-elected, implying new rapporteurs need to be appointed... === Official Press Release: https://lnkd.in/diMcmPw8 #sustainability, #eugreendeal, #greenclaimsdirectiv, #greenwashing

80% of people globally want stronger climate action from their leaders, according to a new big survey (n=73,000; 77 countries) just published by the United Nations, University of Oxford, and GeoPoll. The survey is called "Peoples' Climate Vote 2024" --- and the vote is loud and clear. 🌏 A global majority (72%) is in favour of a quick transition away from fossil fuels, 🌍 More than half of people globally said they were more worried than last year about climate change (higher in Small Islands Developing States), 🌎 Peoples' big decisions (e.g., where to live and work) are increasingly impacted by climate change considerations. The survey included the voices of people everywhere – including groups traditionally the most difficult to poll. People in nine of the 77 countries surveyed had never before been polled on climate change. It is important to get this global picture, as climate change is a truly global problem. In the end, it is one planet... === Zoom into the (country-specific) data: https://lnkd.in/dRAG2mJi Researchers: data is open and can be downloaded.

What are obstacles to #CSRD implementation? New survey results by PwC (n=547) show obstacles firms perceive to exist. At this stage, operational problems like data availability, staff capacity, and time pressure rank very high, while leadership involvement is not (yet) seen as a major obstacle. This is likely to change once the CSRD becomes more embedded into organizations and hence tied towards higher-level strategic decision-making. ➡ Not so fun fact: nearly three quarters of companies continue to use spreadsheets for reporting, while only 27% use specific software. The survey also assessed: 1️⃣ Perceived Benefits of the CSRD: mostly around environmental performance and improved stakeholder engagement, and risk mitigation 2️⃣ Preparedness: even among FY 2025 reporters, only a minority has completed upfront scoping activities (shows time pressure) 3️⃣ Organization: most companies see implementation as a cross-functional effort, involving different units and governance organs (e.g. the board). Full survey: https://lnkd.in/g9b98y9E (and thanks to Joe Carroll for pointing towards the survey) #sustainability, #esg

Great discussions today at the Børsen Sustainability Summit 2024 where I presented thoughts on how to move beyond a compliance-only approach when implementing the new EU sustainability regulations. The real value of regulations such as #CSRD and #CSDDD does not lie in collecting new data or analysing risks. What its valuable is that these frameworks can (ideally) guide strategic decision-making in organizations. But, for this we need to reach beyond compliance... Sustainability teams in organizations are often aware of the need for such a beyond compliance approach, but the message has not been heard that much by senior management and boards. I presented some thoughts on how governance, leadership mindsets, and a reflection on corporate value drivers can help to enable a beyond compliance approach. #BørsenBæredygtigSummit2024, CBS Executive Fonden, #sustainability

Breaking News: The EU Council just approved the Nature Restoration Law (#NRL). Austria and Slovakia both swinging in the right direction and making it possible to reach the qualified majority. The qualified majority was razor thin (66% in favour, while 65% were needed). This is a good day for Europe and its citizens - finally there are clear goals for nature restoration, even though the law was watered down in order to find a compromise. The EU Green Deal is alive... #naturerestoration, #eugreendeal, #sustainability

In a surprising move, Austria swings to support the Nature Restoration Law (#NRL) bringing overall support to 64.86% (65% are needed for approval). The NRL is on the agenda of the EU Environment Council for today's meeting at 9:30am. It is just a discussion item, but the Belgian Presidency can put it up for vote after the discussion. All eyes on Slovakia now, which has not communicated an official position to the Belgian Presidency. Some of the long-standing opponents of the law (Sweden, Finland, Italy) will not change their position. But if just one(!) other country switches side, the law could be passed... 11 EU member states signed a letter calling on all other member states to finally pass this law at today's meeting (https://lnkd.in/dzB4UeHN). Passing this law is so essential for restoring nature and biodiversity... Fingers crossed! Nature does not negotiate... #restorenature, #biodiversity, #sustainability