EU Firms Worry Simplified ESG Reports Could Derail Green Aims

Nearly half of companies in the EU are worried that ongoing efforts to simplify environmental, social, and governance reporting requirements could derail their sustainability ambitions, a new survey found.

Of the 390 companies questioned, 46% said the proposed reporting changes “signal that the EU is falling out of step with business ambition for sustainability.” The survey, conducted by US software company Sphera between June 4 and July 7—shortly before the simplified rules were published for comment—interviewed businesses from across the EU with revenue ranging from below €100 million ($116 million) to more than €10 billion.

After complaints about complexity, ...