Fostering Sustainability in Corporate Governance: Analysis of the Eu Sustainable Corporate Governance and Due Diligence Directives

The effects of climate change on the one hand, and government promises to achieve sustainable development on the other, are only two examples of the factors driving businesses to incorporate sustainability into their business strategies. International organizations and researchers alike contend that incorporating sustainability into business is only feasible when governance also considers environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Therefore, corporate governance is attracting more and more attention from investors and various stakeholders. On 23 February 2022, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The aim of this Directive is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour and to anchor human rights and environmental considerations in companies’ operations and corporate governance. Drawing on the theoretical framework of corporate governance and an analysis of the latest and most important literature on corporate governance and sustainability, this book offers essential insights, particularly in light of the Sustainable Corporate Governance Directive and Due Diligence Directive.

Salvatore Principale is a research fellow at La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. His research focuses on non-financial reporting and non-financial related risks disclosure.