Is the Omnibus a speed bump for the Green Deal?
March 27, 2025
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2 min read
In February, the EU Commission proposed its ‘Omnibus directive’ – a package of sustainability rules aimed at simplifying EU reporting obligations while also strengthening Europe’s competitive position by fostering a sustainable, resilient economy that is well-equipped to meet future challenges and capitalise on new opportunities in the global marketplace1.
The directive forms part of the EU's ‘Green Deal’ proposals, which seek to make climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels2. It includes changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires companies to report on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
Many countries, parties and employers' unions in Europe had called for a simplification of regulatory standards that have been perceived as excessive. But the Omnibus is likely to pose complexities, resistance, overlap and implementation challenges. For instance, gathering accurate and consistent data can be challenging, particularly for smaller institutions or those without established ESG frameworks.
So, does the Omnibus make it easier – or harder – for Europe to achieve the carbon neutrality objective at the heart of the Green Deal?
