Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

The Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) is a statewide building energy performance program that requires owners of covered existing buildings to improve energy efficiency and building operations. Administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the standard establishes energy performance targets, benchmarking requirements, and operational best practices designed to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve building performance over time.

The Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) is a city ordinance that requires large existing buildings to progressively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades. Administered by the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE), the regulation establishes building-specific greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) targets, requires emissions planning and reporting, and aims to transition Seattle's building stock toward net-zero emissions by 2050.

Greece’s Law 4951/2022 modernises the RES licensing process by streamlining the second phase from grid connection application through operation permit, and introduces a dedicated framework for licensing electricity storage. It also allows pilot marine floating PV projects. Developers must follow updated procedures, comply with connection and permitting conditions, and meet milestones to retain rights. The law is in force and is a cornerstone for accelerating renewables while enabling storage as a key flexibility tool.

TA Luft establishes mandatory emission-limit values and technical requirements for industrial facilities under Germany’s Federal Emissions Control Act. This article outlines obligations for operators, monitoring rules and enforcement.

The EU F-Gas Regulation (Recast), Regulation (EU) 2024/573, strengthens controls on fluorinated greenhouse gases, including HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆. Entering into force in March 2024, it introduces a faster phase-down of high-GWP gases, new bans on specific equipment, tighter containment and recovery rules, and mandatory digital reporting for producers and importers. By 2050, the EU aims to fully eliminate the use of high-GWP F-gases. The regulation applies to manufacturers, importers, service companies, and distributors across all sectors using refrigerants or insulation gases. As a pillar of the European Green Deal, it supports the transition toward climate neutrality and the adoption of low-emission alternatives in industry, transport, and energy systems.

Italy’s Legislative Decree 254/2016 requires large public-interest entities to publish annual non-financial statements covering environmental, social, employee, human-rights, and anti-corruption matters. Companies must disclose policies, risks, KPIs, and impacts, supported by limited assurance from an external auditor. While initially implementing the EU NFRD, the decree will gradually be replaced by the broader CSRD framework, but it remains fully enforceable for companies still under its scope during the transition.

The Bundes-Bodenschutzgesetz (BBodSchG) establishes Germany’s core requirements for preventing soil contamination, remediating polluted sites, and ensuring sustainable land use. This article outlines the obligations of landowners, operators, and authorities.

Switzerland’s Waste Ordinance operationalises the country’s waste hierarchy, requiring avoidance where possible and compliant recovery or disposal where not. It governs waste treatment and disposal facilities and supports strict controls on landfills and facility permitting. Compliance is continuous, and enforcement is practical, focusing on facility conditions, traceability, and lawful disposal routes. Non-compliance commonly involves improper disposal, failure to meet permit conditions, or operating outside authorised waste management procedures.

The Washington Clean Fuel Standard reduces the carbon intensity of transportation fuels through annual targets and credit trading. This article outlines requirements, exemptions, compliance mechanisms, and penalties.

The Germany Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettengesetz – LkSG), in force since January 2023, makes it mandatory for companies operating in Germany to prevent human rights and environmental violations across their supply chains. It applies to firms with more than 3,000 employees (and 1,000 from 2024) and requires them to identify and mitigate risks such as child labour, forced labour, unsafe working conditions, and pollution. Companies must establish risk management systems, complaint procedures, and publish annual due diligence reports. Enforcement is handled by BAFA, which can issue fines of up to 2% of global turnover or exclude companies from public contracts. The LkSG is a cornerstone of corporate accountability in Europe and a direct precursor to the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).