At Vantage Point, we believe it is essential to approach businesses from a broad perspective. Our name reflects our approach: we offer a different perspective on sustainability issues. Our services are primarily targeted at companies subject to ESG regulations, and sustainability compliance is particularly important to us. As such, our first legal blog post will provide a brief overview of the complexities of the legal aspects of sustainability.
The legal framework for sustainability can be approached in several ways. We can examine sectoral legislation on specific sustainability areas, review international, EU, and national laws, and analyze their applicability to states versus legal entities.
At Vantage Point, we prioritize understanding the complete legal picture and staying up-to-date with changes in the legal environment, ensuring we provide our clients with the latest, industry-specific information.
We use the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a compass to guide our approach to specific areas of sustainability. The SDGs, a UN resolution adopted in 2015, set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 related sub-goals, which are interlinked and inseparable. It is an international framework and compass for the principles of sustainability, focusing on a balance of environmental, economic, and social considerations. It is important to emphasize that UNGA resolutions primarily reflect political positions. Still, they also constitute soft law and can contribute to the development of law. Therefore, while there is no direct link between the UN Resolution on the SDGs and binding legislation (whether EU or national), the SDGs have influenced the direction of legislation.
Binding legal frameworks are highly diverse, with each country and region having its own set of regulations. Their differences often lead to confusion and create new challenges for businesses. Moreover, sustainability legislation is highly dynamic, continuously evolving due to scientific research, environmental events, and societal expectations. Introducing new legislation or amending existing laws presents a major challenge for companies, as they must stay abreast of changes and implement them in their operations.
Given the complexity, scope, and continuous evolution of sustainability law, we will address each of these areas in future legal blog posts.