On 7 September 2023, the FCA published its response to the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) request for information in its consultation on agenda priorities.

The ISSB issued the consultation in May 2023, seeking feedback on its priorities for its next two-year work plan following the publication of the first two standards (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2).

In its response, the FCA recommends that the strategic direction of the ISSB’s work should focus on embedding these first two standards, while also launching a comprehensive work programme to develop a suite of investor material sustainability-related disclosure standards beyond climate.

The FCA also encourages the ISSB to “move swiftly” to start work towards developing a thematic standard on nature in the short term, leveraging the final recommendations and framework of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. It suggests that it should then continue with social issues in the medium term.

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