EU closes deal to slash green rules in major win for von der Leyen’s deregulation drive

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🗞️ Driving the news: EU negotiators sealed a deal to slash corporate green reporting rules, freeing over 80% of Europe’s companies from obligations under the CSRD and CSDDD
• The agreement marks a major win for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s deregulation agenda, but triggered political backlash as the center-right EPP aligned with far-right parties to push it through

🔭 The context: The “omnibus” simplification bill is the first of a broader legislative package aimed at reducing administrative burdens to boost competitiveness amid concerns that EU green laws disadvantage firms compared to U.S. and Chinese rivals
• The reform sharply narrows which companies must report on emissions, water use, human rights risks, and supply-chain impacts

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Civil society and Green lawmakers warn that the rollback removes vital transparency and due-diligence requirements just as climate impacts intensify across Europe
• Eliminating EU-level liability frameworks weakens citizens’ ability to hold corporations accountable for environmental damage or human-rights abuses in global supply chains

⏭️ What’s next: The European Parliament will vote on December 16, its last chance to reject or amend the deal.
• Meanwhile, at least 10 additional deregulation bills, from chemicals to agriculture, are in the pipeline, setting the stage for continued clashes between economic and environmental priorities

💬 One quote: “This is an important step towards a more favourable business environment,” said Danish EU affairs minister Marie Bjerre

📈 One stat: Only firms with >1,000 employees and €450m turnover will now fall under CSRD reporting; 5,000 employees and €1.5bn turnover for supply-chain due diligence

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