EU CBAM & ESG Policy Insights: How Can Operate the European Market? 欧盟CBAM & ESG政策洞察：如何在欧洲市场开展业务？
Introduction
In the ever – evolving landscape of global sustainability, the European Union’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies stand as a crucial compass. These policies not only shape the EU’s internal economic and environmental development but also have far – reaching implications for the international business community. As the EU continues to adapt and refine its ESG framework, staying informed is essential for businesses aiming to thrive in a sustainable future. In this newsletter, we will delve into the latest EU ESG policy insights, exploring the recent adjustments, their significance, and the potential opportunities they present.
引言
在全球可持续发展不断演变的格局中，欧盟的环境、社会和治理（ESG）政策是至关重要的指引。这些政策不仅塑造了欧盟内部的经济和环境发展，还对国际商业界有着深远的影响。随着欧盟持续调整和完善其 ESG 框架，对于那些旨在在可持续发展的未来中蓬勃发展的企业来说，及时了解相关信息至关重要。在本期通讯中，我们将深入探讨欧盟最新的 ESG 政策洞察，探究近期的政策调整、这些调整的重要意义，以及它们所带来的潜在机遇。
EU ESG Policy Adjustments: A Closer Look
• EU Taxonomy and CBAM Adjustments
EU Taxonomy has undergone adjustments. The obligation for companies to disclose the proportion of green – compliant turnover and capital expenditure is now voluntary for those with under 1,000 employees. Technical screening criteria are refined, and reporting requirements are simplified, with a 70% cut in templates and changes to other standards.
For CBAM, it is currently in the reporting transition phase and is planned to come into effect in 2026.Main changes:
– Exempt small-scale importers (mainly small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals) from CBAM obligations. By introducing a new cumulative annual value of CBAM (50 tons for each importer), approximately 182,000 or 90% of importers (mainly small and medium-sized enterprises) are exempted from CBAM obligations, while still covering over 99% of emissions. This threshold is equivalent to approximately 80 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per importer on average. These importers will no longer be subject to any CBAM obligations.
– Simplify the rules for companies that are still within the scope of CBAM: Regarding the authorization of CBAM declarants, as well as the rules related to CBAM obligations, including the calculation of carbon emissions and reporting requirements;
– This simplification heralds that CBAM will be extended to other industries and downstream products in the future. Subsequently, a new legislative proposal on expanding the scope of CBAM will be put forward in early 2026.
欧盟ESG政策调整：深入剖析
• 欧盟分类法与碳边境调节机制（CBAM）的调整
欧盟分类法已进行了调整。对于员工人数不足1000人的公司，其披露符合绿色标准的营业额和资本支出比例的义务目前为自愿性质。技术筛选标准得到了完善，报告要求也得以简化，模板数量减少了70%，同时其他标准也有所变动。
就碳边境调节机制（CBAM）而言，目前其处于报告过渡阶段，计划于2026年生效。主要变化如下：
-免除小型进口商（主要是中小企业和个人）的碳边境调节机制（CBAM）义务。通过引入新的碳边境调节机制（CBAM）年度累计值（每个进口商50吨），约18.2万家（占比90%）进口商（主要是中小企业）可免除碳边境调节机制（CBAM）义务，同时仍能覆盖超过99%的排放量。这一阈值平均下来相当于每个进口商约80吨二氧化碳当量。这些进口商将不再受任何碳边境调节机制（CBAM）义务的约束。
-简化仍在碳边境调节机制（CBAM）范围内的公司的规则：涉及碳边境调节机制（CBAM）申报人的授权，以及与碳边境调节机制（CBAM）义务相关的规则，包括碳排放的计算和报告要求；
-此次简化预示着碳边境调节机制（CBAM）未来将扩展至其他行业和下游产品。随后，将于2026年初提出关于扩大碳边境调节机制（CBAM）范围的新立法提案。
• Relaxation of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
Raising the CSRD Threshold: The scope of the CSRD is now limited to: large companies with an average of more than 1,000 employees and the balance sheet total exceeding EUR 25 million. This revised threshold aligns the CSRD with the CSDDD and is expected to exempt approximately 80% of the companies originally subject to CSRD reporting requirements.
Extended Reporting Timeline: For companies still within the scope, a longer transition period is allowed. Companies, originally required to start reporting in 2026 or 2027, will have their first reporting obligation postponed by two years to 2028, giving them more time to improve ESG data collection and internal controls.
Simplified Reporting Requirements: Sector – specific disclosure standards are no longer mandatory, and companies are not required to comply with ESG standards specific to particular industries. The European Commission plans to authorize legislation to revise the first set of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Standards (CSRS) based on the “materiality principle,” significantly reducing the number of mandatory CSRS data points. Additionally, for medium – sized enterprises and companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, many of the EU Taxonomy indicators originally attached to the CSRD will become voluntary. The Commission estimates that reporting content will be streamlined by approximately 70%, reducing the workload for companies in preparing sustainability reports. For companies not subject to mandatory sustainability reporting requirements, the Commission proposes adopting the “Very Small and Micro Enterprises” (VSME) standards developed by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) as a moderate, voluntary standard.
•企业可持续发展报告要求放宽
提高企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）门槛：企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）的范围现限定为：平均员工人数超过1000人且资产负债表总额超过2500万欧元的大型企业。这一修订后的门槛使企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）与《公司可持续发展尽职调查指令》（CSDDD）保持一致，预计将使原本需遵循企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）报告要求的约80%的公司获得豁免。
延长报告时间线：对于仍在该指令范围内的公司，给予更长的过渡期。原本需在2026年或2027年开始报告的公司，其首次报告义务将推迟两年至2028年，这使它们有更多时间来完善环境、社会和治理（ESG）数据收集以及内部控制。
简化报告要求：特定行业的披露标准不再具有强制性，公司无需遵循特定行业的环境、社会和治理（ESG）标准。欧盟委员会计划批准立法，基于“重要性原则”修订首批企业可持续发展报告标准（CSRS），大幅减少企业可持续发展报告标准（CSRS）中强制性数据点的数量。此外，对于中型企业和员工人数不足1000人的公司，原本与企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）相关的许多欧盟分类法指标将变为自愿性的。欧盟委员会估计，报告内容将精简约70%，减轻公司编制可持续发展报告的工作量。对于不受强制性可持续发展报告要求约束的公司，欧盟委员会提议采用由欧洲财务报告咨询小组（EFRAG）制定的“非常小和微型企业”（VSME）标准，作为适度的自愿性标准。
• Reduced Information Requests from SMEs in Supply Chains
The original CSRD required large companies to collect extensive ESG data from SMEs in their supply chains for their own reporting purposes. The new proposal stipulates that large companies covered by the CSRD cannot demand unlimited information from small suppliers; information requests will be capped or standardized. This protects SMEs from excessive data burdens while also easing the data collection process for large companies.
•减少对供应链中中小企业的信息索取
原企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）要求大型公司为自身报告目的，从其供应链中的中小企业收集大量的环境、社会和治理（ESG）数据。新提案规定，受企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）约束的大型公司不能向小供应商索取无限制的信息；信息索取将受到上限限制或实现标准化。这既保护中小企业免受过多的数据负担，同时也减轻了大型公司的数据收集工作难度。
• Relaxation of Due Diligence Obligations
Reduced Due Diligence Frequency: The obligation to conduct regular assessments under the CSDDD is reduced from annually to every five years (with temporary assessments still allowed in special cases). This significantly reduces the human and material costs associated with frequent audits.
Limited Due Diligence Scope: The scope of due diligence is now limited to direct business partners. Companies are only required to conduct systematic due diligence on their direct business partners, rather than their entire supply chain. Due diligence on indirect business partners is only required if there is reliable evidence that these partners may cause or have caused adverse impacts. The implementation date of the CSDDD is postponed by one year, from July 2027 to July 2028, and member states are required to transpose it into national law within 12 months of the entry into force of the revised regulation. The European Commission also commits to publishing specific guidelines for companies to fulfill their due diligence obligations six months earlier than previously planned (i.e., in July 2026）， providing companies with a more ample preparation period.
Removal of Mandatory Business Termination Requirements: The previous requirement in the CSDDD for companies to terminate business relationships with suppliers who commit serious violations and fail to remedy the situation has been removed. Instead, companies are encouraged to suspend cooperation and demand rectification to promote improvement without easily severing key supply chains.
Reduced Stakeholder Engagement: The original directive required extensive stakeholder consultation (including affected communities, consumers, and NGOs) at multiple steps of the due diligence process. The revised proposal narrows the scope of required stakeholder involvement to those directly affected and their representatives, excluding a broad range of third parties. The number of steps in the due diligence process that require stakeholder engagement has also been reduced, simplifying the overall process.
Harmonized Climate Responsibility Requirements: The proposal removes the mandatory requirement to “implement” climate change mitigation transition plans. Instead, the proposal clearly requires that relevant plans not only include key actions to achieve climate goals but also specify implementation measures.
Increased Flexibility in Penalties: The EU’s harmonized civil liability conditions are removed, and the definition of civil liability standards is left to national law. The revised proposal also eliminates the obligation for member states to allow trade unions or NGOs to bring representative actions. In terms of legal liability, member states are given greater discretion.
•放宽尽职调查义务
降低尽职调查频率：根据《公司可持续发展尽职调查指令》（CSDDD）进行定期评估的义务从每年一次降低为每五年一次（特殊情况下仍允许进行临时评估）。这大幅降低了因频繁审计而产生的人力和物力成本。
限制尽职调查范围：尽职调查的范围现限定为直接业务合作伙伴。公司仅需对其直接业务合作伙伴进行系统的尽职调查，而无需对整个供应链进行调查。只有在有可靠证据表明间接业务合作伙伴可能造成或已经造成不利影响时，才需要对其进行尽职调查。《公司可持续发展尽职调查指令》（CSDDD）的实施日期推迟一年，从2027年7月推迟至2028年7月，并且要求成员国在修订后的法规生效后的12个月内将其转化为本国法律。欧盟委员会还承诺比原计划提前六个月（即2026年7月）发布公司履行尽职调查义务的具体指南，为公司提供更充裕的准备时间。
取消强制终止业务关系的要求：《公司可持续发展尽职调查指令》（CSDDD）先前要求公司与严重违规且未采取补救措施的供应商终止业务关系的规定已被取消。取而代之的是，鼓励公司暂停合作并要求整改，以促进改善，而不是轻易切断关键供应链。
减少利益相关者参与度：原指令要求在尽职调查过程的多个步骤中进行广泛的利益相关者咨询（包括受影响的社区、消费者和非政府组织）。修订后的提案将要求的利益相关者参与范围缩小到直接受影响的人员及其代表，排除了广泛的第三方。尽职调查过程中需要利益相关者参与的步骤数量也有所减少，简化了整个流程。
统一气候责任要求：该提案取消了“实施”气候变化缓解转型计划的强制性要求。相反，提案明确要求相关计划不仅要包括实现气候目标的关键行动，还需具体说明实施措施。
增加处罚灵活性：取消了欧盟统一的民事责任条件，民事责任标准的定义交由各国法律决定。修订后的提案还取消了成员国允许工会或非政府组织提起代表诉讼的义务。在法律责任方面，成员国被赋予了更大的自由裁量权。
Significance and Impact
• For Companies
Reduced Short – term Compliance Costs: The adjustments significantly lower ESG compliance costs for companies through measures such as raising thresholds, reducing requirements, and extending timelines. In the short term, companies, especially medium – sized ones, will save on costs previously spent on reporting, auditing, and consulting.
Opportunities for Long – term Strategic Adjustment: Although the immediate compliance pressure is reduced, the EU’s overall direction towards sustainable development remains unchanged. This provides companies with an opportunity to optimize their operations, enhance ESG management levels, focus on key issues, and strengthen their brand influence and long – term international competitiveness during the policy relaxation period.
• For Regulation
Scientific and Rational Regulatory Approach: The adjustments reflect a more scientific and rational regulatory mindset. By raising thresholds, simplifying requirements, and extending implementation timelines, the regulation better aligns with the actual situation of companies, avoiding the problems associated with over – regulation.
Flexibility and Adaptability: The adjustments make the EU’s ESG regulation more flexible and adaptable. In the face of changing economic conditions and actual difficulties faced by companies, the regulatory policies can be promptly adjusted to better meet various challenges.
意义与影响
•对企业而言
降低短期合规成本：这些调整通过提高门槛、减少要求以及延长时间线等措施，大幅降低了企业的环境、社会和治理（ESG）合规成本。短期内，企业，尤其是中型企业，将节省此前花在报告编制、审计以及咨询方面的成本。
长期战略调整机遇：尽管当前的合规压力有所减轻，但欧盟在可持续发展方面的总体方向并未改变。这为企业提供了一个机会，使其能够在政策放宽期内优化运营，提升环境、社会和治理（ESG）管理水平，聚焦关键问题，并增强其品牌影响力和长期国际竞争力。
• 对监管而言
科学合理的监管方式：这些调整体现了一种更加科学、合理的监管思路。通过提高门槛、简化要求以及延长实施时间线，监管规定能更好地契合企业的实际情况，避免了过度监管带来的问题。
灵活性与适应性：这些调整使欧盟的环境、社会和治理（ESG）监管更具灵活性和适应性。面对不断变化的经济形势以及企业所面临的实际困难，监管政策能够及时调整，以更好地应对各种挑战。
CNEUCN’s Role and Contributions
CNEUCN, with its mission to support China and Europe’s path towards carbon neutrality, can play a significant role in the context of these EU ESG policy adjustments. CNEUCN can help non-European companies to understand the implications of these changes. For example, as the CSRD and CSDDD requirements are adjusted, CNEUCN can provide consultancy services to companies exporting to the EU, guiding them on how to adapt their reporting and due diligence processes. By providing tailored services, such as market potential assessments and government relationship management, CNEUCN can help companies position themselves advantageously in the EU market under the new ESG policy framework.
仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）的角色与贡献
仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）肩负着助力中国和欧洲实现碳中和之路的使命，在欧盟这些环境、社会和治理（ESG）政策调整的背景下，能够发挥重要作用。仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）可以帮助非欧洲企业理解这些政策变化所带来的影响。例如，随着企业可持续发展报告指令（CSRD）和公司可持续发展尽职调查指令（CSDDD）要求的调整，仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）可以为向欧盟国家出口的企业提供咨询服务，指导它们如何调整报告和尽职调查流程。通过提供如市场潜力评估和政府关系管理等定制化服务，仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）能够帮助企业在新的环境、社会和治理（ESG）政策框架下，在欧盟市场中占据有利地位。
Conclusion
The EU’s ESG policy adjustments mark a significant shift towards a more pragmatic and balanced approach to sustainable development. These changes bring both challenges and opportunities for companies operating within the EU or those engaged in trade with EU countries. By understanding these adjustments, companies can better adapt their strategies, reduce compliance costs, and enhance their long – term competitiveness.
结论
欧盟环境、社会和治理（ESG）政策的调整标志着其朝着更务实、更平衡的可持续发展方式迈出了重要一步。这些变化给在欧盟运营的企业或与欧盟国家有贸易往来的企业带来了挑战，同时也带来了机遇。通过了解这些政策调整，企业能够更好地调整自身战略，降低合规成本，并提升自身的长期竞争力。
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