Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

The Batteriengesetz (BattG) sets rules for placing batteries on the market, collecting waste batteries, and ensuring environmentally sound recycling. This article explains obligations for producers, retailers, and recycling operators.

California’s SB 261 requires companies with more than USD 500 million in global revenue that do business in the state to disclose their climate-related financial risks every two years, following the TCFD framework or a comparable approach. The first report was originally due in January 2026. However, a federal court placed a temporary injunction on enforcement in November 2025, pausing the reporting obligation while legal challenges proceed. SB 261 remains law, but its requirements are on hold. Companies should continue preparing for possible compliance as the legal situation evolves.

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets mandatory standards to improve energy efficiency and decarbonize Europe’s building sector. It requires Member States to adopt national renovation strategies, establish minimum energy performance thresholds, and ensure that all new buildings become zero-emission by 2030. The latest 2024 revision accelerates the phase-out of fossil fuel heating, introduces digital building logbooks, and expands energy performance certification. These measures are key to achieving the EU’s goal of a fully decarbonized building stock by 2050 under the European Green Deal.

The Oregon Clean Fuels Program (CFP) is a market-based low-carbon fuel standard administered by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). It requires fuel suppliers to progressively reduce the average carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in Oregon while allowing cleaner fuels to generate tradable credits. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by encouraging the adoption of lower-carbon fuels and technologies rather than prescribing specific fuel types.

The British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is a regulatory program that requires suppliers of transportation fuels to reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the fuels they market in the province. Administered by the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, the program combines renewable fuel requirements, carbon intensity standards, and a credit market to encourage the production and use of lower-carbon fuels.

Greece’s Law 3983/2011 implements the EU Water Framework Directive, requiring River Basin Management Plans, water-use permits, pollution controls, and monitoring of ecological status. Industries, farmers, and municipalities must follow abstraction limits and discharge conditions. Enforcement targets illegal wells, untreated wastewater, and over-exploitation. The law is the main framework for sustainable water governance in Greece.

Greece’s Law 4759/2020 overhauls spatial and urban planning, creating a clear hierarchy of plans and launching the “Konstantinos Doxiadis” programme to update Local and Special Urban Plans nationwide. It seeks to balance investment facilitation with environmental and climate resilience by clarifying land-use rules and integrating hazard considerations. Authorities must prepare new plans and enforce zoning, while developers must align projects with updated designations. The law is central to Greece’s effort to modernise urban policy and curb ad-hoc development.

Italy’s Legislative Decree 102/2014 requires large enterprises and energy-intensive businesses to carry out energy audits every four years or maintain ISO 50001 certification. Audits must cover major energy uses and be performed by accredited professionals, with results submitted to ENEA. Non-compliance carries significant administrative fines. The decree supports national and EU energy-efficiency and decarbonisation goals.

Italy’s flood and hydrogeological risk framework requires hazard mapping, flood-risk management planning, and strict land-use controls in vulnerable areas. Public authorities, developers, and landowners must integrate flood-risk prevention into planning and construction. Enforcement targets illegal development and failure to apply mitigation measures, with fines, demolition orders, and liability for damages. The framework is central to climate adaptation and disaster-risk reduction.

Greece’s Law 4821/2021 establishes the just transition framework for lignite-dependent regions, defining transition territories, governance structures, and funding principles. It channels national and EU funds into clean energy, green industry, sustainable agriculture, tourism, and skills, while supporting workers and local communities affected by lignite phase-out. Authorities must prepare transition plans and oversee project selection, and beneficiaries must meet environmental and social conditions. The law is central to Greece’s coal exit strategy and regional resilience.