Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights: The UK's cautious roll out

Policymakers have slowed their urgent push for broad-based sustainability reporting.  Three years ago, most informed observers expected that comprehensive, mandatory sustainability disclosures would soon cover many European private companies – and many of the private equity funds that backed them. But last week, as the EU gave final sign-off on its omnibus package of "simplification" measures, the UK government confirmed its gentle, phased approach to new standards. 

The narrative in Europe has clearly changed: the rhetoric has moved from bold and rapid law-making to incrementalism.