EC unveils Omnibus package to simplify sustainability rules

Green Forum
The European Commission has adopted an omnibus bill aimed at relaxing stringent environmental, sustainability, and investment regulations for companies. The bill will be submitted to the European Parliament for approval. It contains legislative proposals designed to streamline EU laws while enhancing competitiveness and encouraging investment.

In the recent Competitiveness Compass, the Commission set out its vision to make the EU's economy more prosperous and competitive, building on the recommendations of the Draghi report. To regain competitiveness and unleash growth, the EU needs to foster a favourable business environment and ensure that companies can thrive. 

 


The first two so-called Omnibus packages of simplification measures aim to achieve this. The measures will focus the sustainability reporting obligations on the largest companies which are more likely to have the biggest impacts on people and the environment, and make sure they do not burden smaller companies.  

This first package covers steps to: 

  • Make sustainability reporting more accessible and efficient  
  • Simplify due diligence to support responsible business practices  
  • Strengthen the carbon border adjustment mechanism for a fairer trade  
  • Unlock opportunities in European investment programmes 
  • The proposals will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for their consideration and adoption. 

In its work programme for 2025, the Commission announced a series of measures to address overlapping, unnecessary or disproportionate rules that create barriers for EU companies. Collectively, with these measures, the Commission wants to reduce administrative burdens by 25%, and by 35% for small and medium-sized businesses, by the end of its mandate in 2029.  

RECOMMENDED
EU allocates €4.8 billion to net-zero innovation
Environment

EU allocates €4.8 billion to net-zero innovation

The European Commission has selected 85 innovative net-zero projects to receive €4.8 billion in grants from the Innovation Fund, helping to put cutting-edge clean technologies into action across Europe.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
DSV boosts energy self-sufficiency with solar power
Energy

DSV boosts energy self-sufficiency with solar power

DSV – Global Transport and Logistics, the world's largest logistics operator, has launched a solar installation at its warehouse in Łozienica, Poland, in partnership with commercial real estate investor Accolade. The installation will meet the energy needs of Poland's first multi-client warehouse equipped with an AutoStore system.

Energy

Etem Gestamp signs cross-border wind power deal with Rezolv

Etem Gestamp, the Sofia-based joint venture between Viohalco Group and Spain's Gestamp Group focused on aluminium extrusion and processing for the automotive industry, and Rezolv Energy, the Actis-backed independent power producer, have signed a 10-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) in Bulgaria. The VPPA will see Etem Gestamp buy electricity from Rezolv Energy's 461MW 'Vifor' wind farm, which is about to come onstream in Buzău County, Romania. It is the first cross-border wind PPA that has been publicly announced in Bulgaria.

Energy

Microsoft hits 100% renewable energy target five years early

Microsoft has achieved its goal of matching 100% of its annual global electricity consumption with renewable energy, reaching the milestone five years ahead of its 2025 target. The achievement supports the company's commitment to become carbon negative by 2030.

Real estate

How is EU real estate navigating the CSRD changes? Take our survey

The recent weakening of the CSRD may have some real estate developers cheering the compliance rollbacks, but the consequences could be complicated. A new research survey examines how EU real estate firms are navigating changes to the CSRD, and what that could mean for upcoming SFDR revisions.

READ MORE
Green Forum  |  31 March, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Green Forum  |  30 March, 2026 at 10:00 AM