EU Regulation, Climate Risk, Seaweed, EU Rail & Camping
Giles Gibbons
Good Business - Sustainability | Strategy | Impact
1. EU hits snooze on sustainability rules
On April 3, the European Parliament voted to pause the next phase of the EU’s sustainability rules. In a strong show of support, 531 MEPs backed the so-called stop-the-clock proposal, with just 69 voting against and 17 abstaining.
The vote was dramatic. Last-minute amendments were submitted, including one calling for the sustainability directives to be scrapped altogether and another proposing a 15-year delay until 2040. Both were ruled out or rejected. On April 1, Parliament had agreed to fast-track the decision under an urgent procedure. Now that the vote has passed, it will take effect shortly.
The decision gives companies in the second and third waves of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) an extra two years before they need to start reporting. It also postpones implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) by one year for the largest companies in scope. Both delays are part of the Commission’s broader Omnibus I simplification package.
The delay only affects companies not yet in scope. Those already required to report under CSRD—such as large public-interest entities with over 500 employees—must continue preparing 2024 reports for publication in 2025. While future changes to reporting standards may come through the wider Omnibus process, these will not apply retroactively.
For many companies, this pause brings welcome breathing room. It also opens the door for continued debate on bigger potential changes, including narrowing the scope of the directives, simplifying reporting requirements, and reducing the burden on SMEs. These revisions will be negotiated over the coming months through the standard legislative process—not fast-tracked—so further changes are unlikely to take effect before the end of the year.
Our advice to companies: use this time wisely. Strengthen internal sustainability setup, keep momentum going, and stay focused on long-term sustainability goals. The clock may be paused, but the direction of travel remains the same.
2. Doubling down on climate risk
EU companies are twice as likely as their global peers to rank climate risk among their top concerns, according to a recent survey, conducted by the AICPA and CIMA.
Nearly half (49%) of EU-headquartered firms view climate risk as a top ten priority, compared to just 24% outside the EU. The survey authors attribute this divide to regulation, particularly the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) which requires businesses to take a structured approach to climate risk management – proving that reporting really does drive action.
Investor expectations are also fuelling this shift. Almost half of EU executives say investors are demanding greater action on climate risk, prompting many to establish formal oversight committees and risk management processes. Outside the EU, only 28% of firms acknowledge similar investor pressure, leaving them exposed to both regulatory and financial risks.
With climate-related losses expected to cut corporate earnings by 7% by 2035, businesses must act now. Our climate risk services – from CFD reporting, double materiality assessments and transition planning – can help businesses stay compliant, but more importantly, resilient in an evolving regulatory landscape. Contact us to know more!
3. Wrap battle: seaweed vs plastic
Like most sustainably conscious individuals, we at Good Business take pride in recycling as much as we can - rinsing our tins, plastic trays and glass bottle to give them their best shot at avoiding landfill. Yet despite our best intentions, flexible plastic films continue to thwart our efforts, regularly used in packaging but rarely collected in household recycling.
But could seaweed be the hero we’ve been waiting for?
Noriware is a Swiss startup creating fully compostable, seaweed-based packaging films designed to disappear without a trace. Available as both film and pellets, noriware’s material can be used across various manufacturing processes and applications, including plastic-free wraps, packaging windows and rolls, making the switch to nature-based packaging easier for all.
The ocean grown packaging looks, feels and acts like plastic, but unlike its fossil fuel-based counterpart it contains no toxic additives, no microplastics and doesn’t take centuries to break down (just 12 weeks in an industrial composting facility). By working with trusted partners with a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation - such as regenerative seaweed cultivators - Noriware is able to scale responsibly while sticking to its values.
Although seaweed packaging isn’t new – our friends at Notpla have been doing this since 2014 and boast major partners like Just Eat Takeaway.com and Lucozade Ribena Suntory- Noriware’s flexible film could be the missing piece of puzzle, making plastic-free alternatives for packaging types that have historically been the hardest to recycle.
4. All aboard
A Copenhagen-based think tank has unveiled its bold vision for The Starline Network, a high-speed rail system linking 39 European destinations. The goal is to create a continent-wide tube system that makes cross-border travel faster and greener: think Northern line but swap out Edgware for Oslo and Morden for Athens.
With cross-border travel slow and costly, and 400,000+ interrail users annually across Europe, there is clear demand for easier and more accessible travel. The Starline Network would operate 30% faster than current road or rail travel options, making it an attractive option for travellers. New stations outside major cities would act as travel hubs, streamlining connections.
Beyond improved convenience, the think-tank argues that the train network would provide Europe with its best chance to meet 2050 net-zero goals. Currently, the transport sector contributes 29% of the EUs total greenhouse gas emissions, with short-haul flights as the default mode of transport between countries.
It’s no small feat. Its creation would require a new European Rail Authority to oversee operations, plus wide scale public funding, standardised technology, and harmonised labour agreements to turn it into a reality. But it also offers a potentially viable alternative to air-travel. Let’s just hope our slow-travel holiday policy is still intact in one hundred years.
5. Nature-approved travel
The sun’s out, the days are getting longer, and the great outdoors is calling. Whether you’re dreaming of lazy afternoons by a lake or setting off to explore beautiful destinations, there’s no better time to get outside. And if you want to do it in a way that’s kinder to the planet, Climate Campers has you covered.
Founded by Dr. Ed Barsley - a good friend of Good Business - Climate Campers is all about making adventure more sustainable. Their star player, FLO, is an all-electric campervan that you can rent to explore places without the guilt of burning through a tank of diesel. FLO runs on clean energy, has a range of up to 256 miles on a single charge, and can recharge from 5% to 80% in just 30 minutes. It’s kitted out with a kitchen, lounge, and a cozy sleeping area, so you can hit the road without sacrificing comfort. Plus, a portion of its schedule each year is reserved for climate-related charities and initiatives - so if you want to take it for a spin, better book it soon!
With the van sorted, the next step is finding the perfect spot to camp. That’s where CampWild UK comes in. For just £20 a year, members get exclusive access to wild camping spots on private land across the UK - ideal for escaping the crowds (or your inbox). Membership also includes a guide to over 150 wilder campsites and discounts on outdoor gear.
So whether you’re cruising in a camper or pitching a tent in a secret meadow, this summer is the perfect time to explore the wild without leaving a heavy footprint behind.
