Global Witness

Global Witness believes that the SCDDD presents an unprecedented opportunity to help protect people and the environment. The Directive could be the first regional framework compelling companies to act sustainably, and to sanction and hold them liable in court if they fail to do so.

Global Witness firmly supports the introduction of binding EU legislation on corporate due diligence and liability to ensure that companies are held accountable for their impact on people and planet. We call on the Commission to be a global leader by introducing effective and robust legislation that establishes cross-sectoral mandatory human rights, environmental and governance due diligence obligations for all…

March 2021 GLOBAL WITNESS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT About us: Global Witness is an international advocacy organisation that investigates and challenges abuses of power to protect human rights and secure the future of the planet. We carry out hard-hitting investigations, expose the facts, and push for systemic change.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

Global Witness welcomes the draft Delegated Act amending Annex I of the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR). The proposed approach to harmonise the list of certain products on the basis that they are not made from the relevant commodities of the EUDR, meanwhile maintaining the full list as adopted by the co-legislators, is an important step forward to ensure an effective implementation and enforcement…

Global Witness welcomes the proposed Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive as this is critical to meet the EU's transition towards a sustainable and resilient economy. However, in order to have a meaningful impact, there must be urgent amendments made to the proposal in the co-legislative process to strengthen the proposal: 1.

In the EU, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil gas have now exceeded those from coal, and could overtake oil to become the largest source of carbon emissions by 2040. The European Commission’s own analysis shows that fossil gas demand will have to fall by up to 37% by 2030 and almost entirely eliminated by 2050 if Europe is to meet its climate targets.

A fossil-free TEN-E regulation NGO briefing on the revision of the Trans-European energy infrastructure regulation March 2021 On 15 December 2020, the European Commission published its proposal1 for reforming the EU’s rules for selecting EU energy infrastructure projects for funding and fast-tracking.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

Global Witness welcomes the European Commission’s roadmap and commitment to carry out an impact assessment of regulatory and non-regulatory options for additional demand side measures to minimize the risk that products linked to deforestation are placed on the EU market.

Global Witness welcomes the road map and plans to publish a communication on stepping up EU Action Against Deforestation and Forest Degradation. However, we are concerned that the road map indicates that the long-awaited communication may not include the measures needed to make a difference as it appears to rule out new legislation and is limited to setting out a “framework for existing policies and tools”.

Illegal logging contributes to severe environmental, social and economic impacts globally: from increased greenhouse gas emissions due to deforestation, to biodiversity loss and impacts on indigenous communities living in forested areas.