An Agenda for Research on Sustainability: Europe and Beyond

Abstract

Recent years have seen a consolidation of existing sustainability reporting standards as well as the emergence of new players on that field of regulation. In particular, the publication of the first European Sustainability Reporting Standards in Europe (ESRS) and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS SDS) as the intended “global baseline” for sustainability reporting attracted considerable attention. The new regulatory environment for corporations in Europe as well as in other jurisdictions is subject to drastic changes. But while the (political) ambitions behind these developments are very similar, new questions arise with regard to different approaches that are taken and potential obstacles that prevent actors from achieving the aims. This chapter outlines these developments and some of the questions they evoke. It summarises some of the underlying assumptions of European and international regulators that will now be put to an empirical test. Its results should inform any further regulatory ambitions and thus contribute to the aim of changing corporate behaviour, thus transforming business models and supporting sustainable development.