ESG and D&I

Following publication of the FCA’s Policy Statement: Tackling non-financial misconduct (NFM) in financial services (PS25/23), we take a look at what it means for firms and what actions they should be taking as we move towards 1 September 2026 when the new Code of Conduct (COCON) rule; the new COCON guidance

ESG may have been overtaken on the board agenda in recent times by other threats perhaps perceived to be more pressing and against a wider economic and political backdrop in which many have been placing greater emphasis on growth and opportunity. This may have the effect of understating the level of risk posed to businesses

On 12 December 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its final guidance on non‑financial misconduct (NFM) in financial services in Policy Statement PS25/23. In summary, the FCA is:

(i) amending its Code of Conduct (COCON) sourcebook to explain how NFM can be a breach of the conduct

On 26 November 2025, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published a report setting out its findings of a peer review which assessed how Member State competent authorities (NCAs) supervise and implement gender diversity within the management bodies of financial institutions, specifically credit institutions (CIs).

Background

The Peer Review follows

In a written response to a request from the Treasury Select Committee, the FCA has provided an update on its programme of work to address non‑financial misconduct (NFM), making it clear that the firm and its managers may also be held responsible in the event of bad behaviour anywhere in the ranks.

With

The PRA’s recent Consultation Paper (CP10/25) on enhancing banks’ and insurers approaches to managing climate-related risks provides clearer guidance on the PRA’s expectations with regards to governance in this evolving area (with potential read-across for other types of risks and for a range of different firms). Set out below is a checklist of

On 16 April 2025, Directive (EU) 2025/794 of 14 April 2025 amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements was published in the Official Journal of the EU.

The Directive, which is known as the ‘Stop-the-clock’ Directive

On 15 April 2025, the European Commission (“the Commission”) launched a public consultation on a review of Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union (ETS Directive) and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas emission