News

Proportionate approach needed for Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) represents a good opportunity to improve environmental, social and governance disclosures and has the potential to lead to greater relevance, comparability and reliability of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting across the EU. Its new reporting requirements would entail a significant change for preparers of disclosure, a concern outlined in a recently published AmCham EU paper. A proportionate approach balancing the growing demand for ESG data with the growing burden companies face in gathering, preparing, assuring and reporting such data, is therefore needed. 

Global taxation: the time is right for an international agreement

In recent weeks, momentum has been building up towards an international solution to the challenge of creating a tax system fit for the 21st century. The G7 first announced an agreement on a minimum global corporate tax. It was then closely followed by the G20 finance ministers endorsing the OECD Inclusive Framework’s statement for international tax reform. Most recently, the EU reiterated its commitment to fostering an international compromise by postponing its digital levy proposal. While these developments are all crucial steps towards a global deal, critical work remains to iron out the details as well as address significant issues of complexity.

The journey to net zero

Almost all of Verizon’s operational carbon emissions come from the electricity used to power its networks. The company’s support for renewable energy and the transition to a greener grid is a key enabler to achieve its goal of net zero emissions in all operations by 2035. Learn about the progress they're making on their net zero goal on Investing in Europe.

Learn more at The Green Way and join the conversation on Twitter with #EUGreenWay.

AmCham EU presents recommendations to the Slovenian Presidency to Gašper Dovžan

The Slovenian Presidency comes at an important stage of Europe’s economic recovery, with the vaccine roll-out well underway. As attention turns to life after ‘lockdown’, the Slovenian Presidency will play an important role in overseeing the rebuild of Europe’s economy. AmCham EU welcomed Gašper Dovžan, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, 7 July 2021 for a conversation with members on the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

Clarity and consistency key for a strong ePrivacy Regulation

As the ePrivacy Regulation moves into trilogue negotiations, the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) calls on co-legislators to prioritise clarity and conistency in their negotiations; laying out top-level recommendations on scope and alignment with GDPR; permitted processing of data; and privacy settings. Further review of these areas will ensure that the objectives of the regulation - to build trust and confidence in services for both consumers and businesses in digital services - are best achieved. 

Net zero by 2040 – come wind or shine

As a company committed to addressing the climate crisis, Amazon is on a path to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 – five years earlier than its original 2030 goal. This is part of The Climate Pledge, which Amazon co-founded with the objective of achieving net-zero carbon within its operations before 2040. To help achieve this goal, Amazon started to roll out the first of its utility-scale projects to deliver clean energy to grids across Europe in 2019.

Learn more at The Green Way and join the conversation on Twitter with #EUGreenWay. 

The Green Way: innovating for Europe’s sustainable future

Transitioning to a greener economy will be the challenge of our time. The European Union has an ambition to lead the green transition and American companies invested in Europe are committed to fulfilling that ambition. From decarbonising the energy sector to building sustainable food systems; from innovating sustainable mobility solutions to making the economy circular: American companies in Europe are innovating today to achieve a more sustainable tomorrow. Check out the steps our companies are taking towards Europe’s greener future!

A Smart Flower to generate clean energy in manufacturing facilities

The ’Smart Flower’ at CASE’s Lecce manufacturing plant is an example of how the company is working to meet its sustainability targets to source 80% of its electricity from renewable sources. By moving the solar modular fans horizontally and vertically in response to the sun’s position, the Smart Flower is able to produce electricity from sunrise to sunset. This in turn results in a 40% increase in solar energy output.

Learn more at The Green Way and join the conversation on Twitter with #EUGreenWay. 

Towards a strong European cybersecurity environment

A strong cybersecurity environment poses a key priority for Europe’s economy. As the use of digital solutions grows, the need to ensure that Europe’s networks and information systems are resilient against evolving cyberattacks is paramount. Our suggestions for an improved resilience of the EU’s cybersecurity focus on the scope of the proposal for a revised Directive on Security of Network and Information systems (NIS 2 Directive), the risk-based approach, proportional obligations, legislative overlap and conflicting requirements as well as offering insight on reporting obligations and thresholds. Read our response here.