Weekly ESG Trend Tracker: Latest Sustainability Updates 0309-0316

This article provides the latest ESG news from March 10-16, 2025, covering international developments with potential impacts on Taiwanese enterprises. Due to limited recent news specifically about Taiwanese companies, we recommend companies closely monitor EU and US ESG policy developments and consider their impact on global supply chains and markets. Through this information, companies can better formulate ESG strategies, enhance competitiveness, and attract investors.

1. US President Trump Opposes Corporate Sustainability Efforts, Issues Anti-ESG Order

Date: 2025-03-12
Summary: President Trump issued an order opposing corporate sustainability efforts, specifically targeting ESG practices. This order is part of the anti-ESG trend in the US and may affect global companies, including Taiwanese companies' strategies in the US market. This news demonstrates potential political interference with corporate ESG commitments, with important implications for Taiwanese companies, especially those operating in the US.

2. EU Simplifies Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, Reduces Reporting Scope by 80% and Delays Timeline

Date: 2025-03-12
Summary: The EU is considering simplifying the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), reducing the reporting scope by 80% of companies and delaying the timeline. This adjustment may affect Taiwanese companies' subsidiaries in Europe, requiring adaptation to new reporting requirements, with direct impact on their EU market operations strategy.

3. White House Enforcement Threats Against Private Sector DEI Programs Seen as Discriminatory

Date: 2025-03-12
Summary: The White House threatened enforcement against private sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, considered viewpoint-based discrimination. This decision may affect global corporate social responsibility strategies, including Taiwanese companies, particularly in US market operations.

4. A Lending Institution's Annual Report Omits Diversity Hiring Policies, Gender and Racial Pay Comparisons, and Flexible Work Arrangements

Date: 2025-03-12
Summary: A lending institution did not mention diversity hiring policies, gender and racial pay comparisons, and flexible work arrangements in its latest annual report. This may reflect changes in ESG reporting trends, providing reference for Taiwanese companies, especially in balancing reporting content with regulatory pressures.

5. Over 97% of Apple Shareholders Reject Conservative Think Tank's Proposal to Stop DEI Efforts

Date: 2025-03-12
Summary: Apple shareholders rejected a conservative think tank's proposal to stop DEI efforts by over 97% of votes, demonstrating strong shareholder support for corporate ESG commitments. This provides lessons for Taiwanese tech companies, especially in shareholder communication and ESG strategy formulation.

6. Global Furniture Retailer Adjusts 2025 Zero-Emission Vehicle Target, Extends to 90% by 2028

Date: 2025-03-12
Summary: A global furniture retailer adjusted its 2025 target for zero-emission vehicle delivery, extending to 90% by 2028. This adjustment may reflect practical challenges, providing inspiration for Taiwanese companies in related industries, especially when setting sustainability targets that need to consider feasibility.

7. ClimeFi Launches Forward-Looking Assessment Tool for Carbon Removal Projects

Date: 2025-03-10
Summary: ClimeFi launched a new tool providing forward-looking assessment of carbon removal projects, helping companies and investors evaluate potential carbon removal plans. This provides important support for companies pursuing carbon neutrality, including Taiwanese enterprises, especially in carbon management strategies.

8. Tata Power Plans $5.6 Billion Investment in 7GW Clean Energy Project in Andhra Pradesh

Date: 2025-03-10
Summary: India's Tata Power plans to invest $5.6 billion in a 7GW clean energy project in Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy. This provides reference value for Taiwanese energy companies, especially in terms of clean energy investment scale and impact.

9. Renaissance Fusion Secures €32 Million Series A Funding to Accelerate Clean Energy Innovation

Date: 2025-03-10
Summary: Renaissance Fusion secured €32 million in Series A funding to support clean energy innovation projects. This funding will promote sustainable energy technology development, benefiting global ESG goals, and Taiwanese companies can learn from its innovation model.

10. SBTi and CAFA Partner to Enhance Corporate Climate Action Through Trade Associations

Date: 2025-03-10
Summary: The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) partnered with the Coalition for Financial Markets Action (CAFA) to enhance corporate climate action through trade associations, encouraging science-based emission reduction targets. This provides inspiration for Taiwanese companies participating in global climate action, especially when formulating emission reduction strategies.

Jan 16, 2025

What is CSRD? EU ESG New Regulations Take Effect, First Batch of Companies Must Begin Reporting in 2025

CSRD requires companies to disclose sustainability performance more transparently. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the four-phase implementation plan and core regulations of CSRD, and offers practical strategies for companies to address challenges and drive sustainable transformation.

Mar 09, 2025

Weekly ESG Trends: Latest Sustainability Updates Mar 3-9

Global ESG Trends: Policy Changes and New Corporate Sustainability Opportunities As global attention on climate change and sustainable development intensifies, governments and companies worldwide are accelerating their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) transformation. Recently, Japan, the EU, Taiwan and other regions have successively released new emission reduction targets, sustainability reporting standards, and financial innovation initiatives to promote net-zero carbon emissions and sustainable development. This article will help you understand the latest policy developments and market trends to help companies seize key opportunities.

Apr 09, 2025

Relaxing Sustainability Reporting Requirements? Changes EU Omnibus Package Will Bring to CSRD and CBAM

The newly proposed EU Sustainability Simplification Omnibus Package aims to simplify corporate sustainability reporting. Regulations proposed for relaxation include the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and more. Here's a comprehensive overview of the key changes:

Apr 30, 2025

From Trump's Paris Agreement Withdrawal to Taiwan's 2050 Net Zero Anchor: What Are the New Focus Points for Corporate Supply Chain Decarbonization?

In early 2025, Trump claimed he would withdraw from the Paris Agreement again, seemingly weakening global climate governance consensus. In reality, ESG has long become the operational culture of top international enterprises. Taiwan has also anchored its future at this time - President Lai Ching-te explicitly stated at the National Climate Change Response Committee meeting that Taiwan's 2050 net-zero target will not waver with international political developments. More noteworthy is that the Ministry of Environment plans to officially announce carbon sequestration regulations in mid-2025, which will be a turning point for corporate supply chain decarbonization and Scope 3 management. This article analyzes how enterprises should seize this transformation opportunity!

Jun 11, 2025

CCUS Carbon Capture Technology: Greenwashing Risks Businesses Must Know Before Procurement

As the world moves toward net-zero emissions, businesses are seeking various carbon reduction solutions to achieve ESG goals. Among them, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology has been included in national carbon reduction strategies by many countries because it can directly handle carbon dioxide. However, controversy over this technology is growing, and businesses that hastily procure without adequate understanding may fall into 'greenwashing' risks.