'Von der Leyen’s deregulation omnibus: A devastating blow to EU environmental objectives,' 26 February 2025

Today, the European Commission announced a policy shift that marks a clear move away from the green commitments that were a cornerstone of Ursula von der Leyen’s previous mandate.

Despite previous assurances that simplification would not lead to deregulation and that the EU’s sustainability goals would remain intact, the proposed simplification omnibus introduces significant changes that constitute a major setback for transparency, accountability and sustainable finance. 

“The Commission’s sudden urge to destroy laws that are crucial for the achievement of the EU Green Deal is a perilous approach that is forcing Europe into a time of regulatory uncertainty. Under the guise of “simplification”, the Commission put forward a proposal that will hinder economic and business success. Those who claim to advocate for long-term prosperity cannot, in good conscience, support an approach that strips the EU’s sustainable finance framework of its ambition, thereby taking Europe off its agreed course to become a competitive green economy. This sets a dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences”, said Mariana Ferreira, Sustainable Finance Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy, three laws targeted with this omnibus, are the backbone of Europe’s corporate sustainability framework, which is essential to unlocking the massive investments needed to bring the EU Green Deal to life. Without a strong foundation, Europe’s green transition is at risk and the effectiveness of these regulations is seriously jeopardised...

Lacking a solid evidence base, this combination of proposals risks devolving almost a decade of structured EU policy making. It is now vital that the Member States and the EU Parliament take immediate and bold action to address the pitfalls of the suggested changes and ensure a more structured and evidence-driven approach moving forward.