In recent years, increasing pressures from a variety of stakeholders have combined to drive companies toward more sustainable practices in their business operations and greater transparency. The real game-changer, however, has been the proliferation of global environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting regulations. Two of the major regulations in play are the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by the European Union adopted on January 5, 2023, and the climate rules by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States, adopted in March, 2024 — but there are others, as well.

Here, we offer an updated overview of current global ESG regulations and ways companies can prepare to do business in the new regulatory paradigm.