Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

Canada’s federal Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations have been amended to include an Electric Vehicle (EV) Availability Standard that creates a regulated pathway toward 100% zero-emission light-duty vehicle sales by model year 2035. Starting with model year 2026, manufacturers and importers of passenger automobiles and light trucks must comply with escalating EV sales and emissions performance requirements as set out in the amended regulatory framework. Compliance involves reporting, fleet accounting, and credit mechanisms as specified in the regulatory text. The Regulations remain in force under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and apply to covered vehicles and economic actors. CEPA’s enforcement provisions support the regulatory regime, with potential penalties for non-compliance. The standard aligns with Canada’s broader climate objectives for the transportation sector, with implementation details and compliance pathways defined within the regulatory provisions.

The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a central pillar of EU rural and agricultural policy, providing financial support and guidelines to farmers and rural areas across all Member States. It aims to ensure food security, provide a fair standard of living for farmers, promote efficient and sustainable agriculture, and support vibrant rural communities. Under the current 2023-27 framework, CAP is built around ten key objectives that integrate economic viability of farms, environmental sustainability (climate action, biodiversity), social well-being, and territorial cohesion. Farmers and national authorities must implement measures via CAP Strategic Plans, and payments are conditional on meeting defined standards. While CAP is mandatory for Member States and farmers participating in subsidy schemes, there is growing pressure to reform it to better address climate change, environmental challenges, and fairness in subsidy distribution.

The recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (EU UWWTD) 2024/3019 introduces stricter treatment requirements, expanded monitoring, and new obligations for micropollutants and stormwater management. This article explains what organisations must do, compliance timelines, penalties, and examples of enforcement.

Greece’s Law 4695/2020 strengthens public-sector governance and introduces sustainability planning and ESG reporting for ministries and public bodies. It requires strategic plans, internal controls, and monitoring of environmental and social performance. Implementation is phased, but compliance is increasingly scrutinised. The law supports Greece’s alignment with evolving EU sustainability reporting requirements.

The ICPE and Seveso regime governs industrial sites that pose environmental or major accident risks in France. Depending on the nature and quantity of hazardous substances, installations must be declared, registered, or fully authorised and, above specific thresholds, classified as Seveso “upper” or “lower” tier. Operators are required to conduct environmental and risk assessments, implement robust safety management systems, maintain emergency plans, and comply with permit conditions. Authorities can impose fines, suspend activities, or pursue criminal actions in case of serious breaches. The regime is central for chemical, energy, waste, and heavy industrial facilities.

The EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) sets a binding target for renewable energy to reach at least 42.5% of the European Union’s gross final energy consumption by 2030, with an aspirational goal of 45%. In force since 2023, the directive strengthens sustainability criteria, accelerates permitting for renewable projects, and introduces dedicated sub-targets for transport, heating, cooling, industry, and buildings. It also supports the integration of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) and promotes cross-border renewable projects through the Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E). RED III is a cornerstone of the Fit for 55 and European Green Deal packages, aligning the EU’s energy system with its 2050 climate neutrality objective.

The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) is a voluntary international initiative launched in 2021 by the United States and the European Union at COP26. Its goal is to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared with 2020 levels. Over 150 countries have joined, committing to take action across key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and waste. While not legally binding, the pledge encourages nations to develop national methane action plans, improve monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, and align domestic policies with the 1.5 °C goal of the Paris Agreement. The initiative is coordinated by the European Commission (DG CLIMA) and the U.S. Department of State, supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). It represents a major global effort to cut short-lived climate pollutants and deliver near-term climate benefits.

New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), enacted in 2019, sets legally binding goals for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, and 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The law also ensures that 35–40% of climate and clean-energy benefits reach disadvantaged communities, embedding social equity at the heart of the transition. The Climate Action Council oversees implementation through the Scoping Plan, detailing pathways for decarbonising power, transport, and buildings. Managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and NYSERDA, the CLCPA positions New York as a global leader in integrating climate ambition with community protection and inclusive economic growth.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), established by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990, is a voluntary global sustainability certification for buildings and infrastructure. It assesses environmental, social, and economic performance across energy, water, materials, waste, health, and ecology categories. BREEAM provides independent, third-party verification and awards ratings from Pass to Outstanding. While voluntary, it is mandatory or incentivized in some countries for public or large-scale developments. BREEAM promotes climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and healthy built environments, supporting global net-zero and ESG goals.

The California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), enacted in 2006, established the first legally binding statewide framework in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, achieving this goal ahead of schedule. The law authorises the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to design and enforce climate policies across energy, transport, and industry, including the creation of North America’s largest cap-and-trade programme. Under subsequent updates such as SB 32, the state now targets 48–50% emission reductions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045. AB 32 has made California a global climate policy leader, integrating carbon pricing, clean technology investment, and environmental justice initiatives into a unified strategy for sustainable growth.