The Future of EU Sustainability Reporting: CSRD, ESRS, the Omnibus Reforms and Global Developments
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), adopted by the European Union in 2022, marked a major step towards enhancing transparency, comparability, and accountability in corporate sustainability disclosures. The introduction of mandatory European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and third-party assurance requirements represented a significant regulatory shift. However, the Omnibus process initiated in 2025 – aimed at simplifying EU rules, including the ESRS approved in 2023, and reducing the scope of companies affected – has introduced new uncertainties for preparers, assurance providers, and users of sustainability information. At the same time, the International Sustainability Standards Board has advanced its global baseline for sustainability disclosures, raising important questions about interoperability of standards and the potential role of “passporting” in reducing cross-jurisdictional fragmentation.
In this symposium, panellists will discuss how companies are responding to the evolving CSRD regulatory landscape, particularly regarding the OMNIBUS process, and their interactions with the ISSB Standards and how shifting expectations are affecting internal processes, governance, and strategic decision-making. The session will consider the perspectives of EFRAG, ISSB, and preparers of sustainability reports. Together, these insights highlight the broader impact of these developments.
Moderator
Ronita Ram | University of Reading
Panellists
Richard Barker | University of Oxford and ISSB
Alessandro Lai | University of Verona
Kerstin Lopatta | University of Hamburg and EFRAG SRB Chair
Frank Schiemann | Bamberg University
Schedule
Date | Time: Friday 29 May 2026 09:00 – 10:30
Location: RB 101 (Rajská Building)
