The EU Taxonomy Regulation is a regulatory framework introduced by the European Union (EU) to establish a classification system for sustainable economic activities. Its main objective is to create a standard that defines and categorizes economic activities based on their environmental sustainability.
The taxonomy aims to provide clarity and transparency on what activities can be considered environmentally sustainable, facilitating sustainable investment and the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.
The EU Taxonomy Regulation focuses on six environmental objectives: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.
It sets out technical screening criteria to determine whether an economic activity substantially contributes to one or more of these objectives.
The taxonomy covers a wide range of sectors and activities, including energy, manufacturing, transport, agriculture, and more. It requires companies, financial institutions, and investment funds operating within the EU to disclose the extent to which their economic activities align with the taxonomy's environmental objectives.
The EU Taxonomy Regulation plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable finance and ensuring that investments contribute to a more sustainable and climate-friendly future.
Is the SFDR part of the EU Taxonomy?
The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the EU Taxonomy Regulation are related but distinct regulatory frameworks introduced by the European Union (EU) to promote sustainability in the financial sector.
The SFDR focuses on disclosure obligations for financial market participants, such as asset managers and investment firms, regarding the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investment decision-making processes. It aims to enhance transparency and provide investors with consistent and reliable information about the sustainability characteristics of investment products.
On the other hand, the EU Taxonomy Regulation establishes a classification system for economic activities based on their environmental sustainability. It defines criteria for determining whether an economic activity substantially contributes to one or more of the specified environmental objectives, such as climate change mitigation or the transition to a circular economy.
The taxonomy serves as a tool to guide sustainable investment decisions by providing a common language and framework for assessing the environmental performance of activities.
While the SFDR requires financial market participants to disclose information related to sustainability, including potential adverse impacts of investment decisions, the EU Taxonomy Regulation sets criteria for determining the sustainability of economic activities. The two regulations are complementary in driving sustainable finance practices but have distinct purposes and focus areas.
