Catch up on the main nature policy news from April
US administration threatens key environmental protections
Key environmental protections for endangered species, forests and the deep sea faced threats during the new US administration's first 100 days, as the new government proposed a series of changes designed to reshape the regulatory landscape.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed redefining the term ‘harm’ in the Endangered Species Act. The proposal would limit ‘harm’ to only direct harm to animals, meaning habitat modifications, like those associated with deep-sea mining, would no longer be considered harmful to vulnerable species.
An executive order also called for increased timber production which led to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issuing a memo to reverse what they term "heavy-handed federal policies". Among others, USDA proposes removing and reducing vegetation to boost logging, as well as developing or updating guidance to increase timber production.
Finally, the US administration ordered the NOAA to fast-track permits for companies to mine the deep seabed, including in international waters. This directive comes after The Metals Company USA made a controversial announcement about initiating the process to apply for exploration licenses under U.S. jurisdiction, potentially bypassing international law. Undermining environmental protections poses significant risks for businesses. This is especially true in the case of activities like deep sea mining where there is yet no scientific proof that it can be sustainably managed limiting social and economic risk and without harming the marine environment. Rolling back regulations that protect vulnerable species and habitats negatively affects the long-term success of businesses worldwide by risking healthy ecosystems and the services that businesses so heavily rely on.
We’re inviting businesses to endorse a UN Ocean Conference Business Call to Action by 28 May. This call encourages ambitious and accelerated action for healthy oceans and their sustainable use, and will be presented at the UN Oceans Conference in June. More information about the Business Call to Action can be found in our Joint Business Article for the Ocean.
Separately, businesses are encouraged to join the 64 companies that have committed to not sourcing materials from the deep seabed.
EU proposes further changes to reporting and deforestation regulations
We covered the EU Omnibus package in both our February and March updates and we continue to see developments with wide-reaching consequences for sustainability reporting.
The Omnibus Package is a legislative proposal to streamline reporting requirements across the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
The second part of the Omnibus Package of changes is now up for debate, including proposals to reduce the CSRD's scope by 80% and weaken CSDDD assessments. The EU Council has already indicated it generally supports reducing the CSRD scope, however, the Parliament has shown more divisions, with some groups supporting further reducing the scope and some parties even advocating for completely scrapping the CSRD and CSDDD.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is making changes to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These changes include reducing how often companies must submit due diligence statements and allowing them to reuse these statements when goods are reimported.
While these adjustments followed industry consultations, some organizations categorized them as part of the EU deregulation trends and warned that they could undermine the EUDR’s effectiveness in monitoring and enforcement.
Reducing the CSRD’s scope would limit the ability of investors and businesses alike to improve their strategies. Having the same requirements applied across all businesses increases comparability and enables better decision-making, particularly for investors who rely on consistent reporting to manage risks and direct resources wisely.
Above all, limiting reporting requirements won’t exempt businesses from reporting at all; banks, investors and customers will still demand the information. It will ultimately increase the burden and reduce the quality of data, counteracting the intended “simplification” purpose of the Omnibus Package.
Discussions on energy transition and High Seas Treaty at the 2025 Indigenous Peoples UN Forum
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues concluded its 24th session on 2 May, bringing together the world’s largest group of Indigenous Peoples with government representatives to cover Indigenous Peoples' rights, natural resources and global treaties.
The session’s theme focused on how states have succeeded or failed in protecting Indigenous Peoples' rights, with discussions covering both longstanding and emerging extractive industries.
One recurring topic was the growing demand for critical minerals necessary for the energy transition, which has led to extractive activities taking place without the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples.
Representatives of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities also called for their inclusion in the High Seas Treaty, advocating for roles in governance, environmental management and the development of best-practice strategies.
Respecting the human rights of local communities must be central to how companies manage nature-related risks and conduct due diligence. Discussions at the forum pushed the conversation further, highlighting issues like mining, the energy transition, deforestation and biodiversity governance which are deeply interconnected, involving both Indigenous Peoples and the private sector.
Strengthening communication and collaboration between them could therefore lead to more respectful, equitable partnerships that support both human rights and environmental protection.
China issues its first sovereign green bonds
In a significant step forward for green finance, the Chinese Ministry of Finance issued the country’s first sovereign green bond on the London Stock Exchange, successfully raising USD $824 million from investors. The funds will be used to support projects ranging from clean transportation and sustainable water management, to restoration and pollution prevention.
Green bonds offer the private sector an innovative financial tool to help bridge the biodiversity and climate change finance gap, providing investors financial returns while supporting environmental goals. As a result, they are gaining traction internationally.
With this move, China joins a growing list of countries, including India, Colombia and several European countries, issuing sovereign green bonds.
Caught up on April? Go back to the March news update to catch up on previous nature policy stories from around the world.