Strategic Focus: ESG Regulations Around The Globe
Maya Hilmi
Access this research
Access all Corporate Sustainability Leaders content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report
Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance
Executive Summary
ESG regulations have become instrumental in shaping the sustainable practices and transparency of organizations around the world. Large global firms operate across numerous countries, and understanding the regulatory landscape in key markets is vital. This report provides a concise overview of some of the most important ESG regulations in the seven largest economies outside of the EU, UK and US – namely, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan and South Korea. Significant numbers of multinational firms engage in business in these regions. Chief risk, compliance, sustainability and financial officers can use this report to discover how to adapt practices to navigate the complex landscape of sustainability requirements in these countries. According to the Verdantix 2023 ESG & Sustainability global corporate survey, 87% of chief sustainability officers (CSOs) are leading or significantly contributing to the funding of ESG strategy implementation in their firms. This report can help organizations develop a more holistic ESG strategy – one that is able to address the challenges of evolving sustainability norms and expectations.Management of ESG risks is moving up the corporate agenda
ESG compliance across borders: key regulatory highlights
Synergy in ESG compliance: assessing the intersection of local regulations and global expectations
How to negotiate the labyrinth of global ESG regulations
Figure 2. Key drivers of commitment to ESG and sustainability issues
Figure 3. Key ESG regulations in Australia
Figure 4. Key ESG regulations in Brazil
Figure 5. Key ESG regulations in Canada
Figure 6. Key ESG regulations in China
Figure 7. Key ESG regulations in India
Figure 8. Key ESG regulations in Japan
Figure 9. Key ESG regulations in South Korea
Figure 10. Navigating the global reporting landscape of major EU, UK and US frameworks
Figure 11. Interoperability of global ESG regulations
Figure 12. Connecting best practices for effective ESG compliance
Figure 13. Sustainability strategy development takes centre stage in 2023
About the Authors
Maya Hilmi
Analyst
Maya is a Net Zero, Climate Risk Analyst. She is currently specialising in carbon management, ESG regulations, and identifying climate risk solutions. Prior to joining Verdant...
Kim Knickle
Research Director
Kim Knickle is a Research Director at Verdantix, bringing more than two decades of analyst experience to the evolving world of sustainability. Her current research spans ESG a...
View ProfileOther related content
Episode 30 Global supply chains are under immense stress. Whether it’s a case of sanctioned goods and impure materials or unethical labour practices, the potential for hidden ri...
27 January, 2026
2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for sustainability leaders. After a turbulent 2025, characterized by regulatory uncertainty and politicization, the focus is shifting toward...
23 January, 2026
As the EU Sustainability Omnibus Package is being finalised, join us to find out what action you need to take now, and how to prioritise in an era of rapid change. Find out: What t...
Upcoming / 24 February, 2026
Utilities are facing unprecedented grid constraints and long DER connection backlogs, driven by rapid growth in solar, EVs, and storage. Traditional systems alone struggle to provi...
Upcoming / 10 February, 2026
Episode 29 The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) role has undergone a radical evolution. Once focused primarily on voluntary reporting, policy formation and goal-setting, today’s ...
04 December, 2025
The beginning of 2025 saw significant uncertainty surrounding sustainability regulations. Twelve months later, that uncertainty hasn’t disappeared – in fact, the year has highlight...
27 November, 2025