On 20 November 2025, the European Commission proposed major changes to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) to simplify disclosures and strengthen investor protection. The new framework introduces three product categories—Transition, Sustainable, and ESG Basics—each requiring a 70% investment commitment and exclusion of harmful industries. Simplified two-page templates will replace current disclosure rules, and entity-level obligations like principal adverse impacts are removed.
Only products in these categories may use sustainability-related terms in marketing. Taxonomy disclosures become optional, with a 15% safe harbor for aligned assets. Application is expected 18 months after adoption, likely in 2028, marking a significant shift toward clearer, stricter sustainability standards.

While many are aware that the Indian government is aiming to attract at least USD 100 billion a year in gross Foreign Direct Investment in 2024, they may be less aware that the government has also recently set out a progressive ESG regulatory framework. Investors will therefore need to align with this Indian ESG wave and also ensure that their own ESG programs are robust enough to mitigate risks as well as realize opportunities.