Richard Gardiner, Interim Head of EU Policy at ShareAction, said:
“Last night’s deal closes one of the most troubling chapters in the EU’s sustainability agenda. After a year marked by political backtracking that was at times undemocratic and detached from evidence, the EU has finally drawn a line under the Omnibus saga.
“Let us be clear. This compromise remains an alarming dismantling of good policymaking and removes some of the most important tools Europe had at its disposal. Climate transition plan obligations have been deleted, and civil liability - the mechanism that ensures companies can be held accountable when they cause harm - has been cast aside to appease short-term political gain. These losses matter. They do not make Europe more competitive. Instead, they weaken Europe's unique competitive edge.
“The biggest warning comes from the process itself. Far-right pressure shaped these negotiations at every stage. The question now is whether the EU will continue to bend to extremism or choose a long-term vision that protects people, the planet and Europe’s credibility.
“But there is at least one glimmer of progress. With the political wrangling finally over, we can refocus on ensuring value-chain due diligence is implemented meaningfully by the companies with the biggest impacts on people and the planet. If governments and supervisors take this seriously, it could still strengthen both accountability and long-term economic resilience and give investors and stakeholders the leverage they need to drive real change.
“This deal is no victory. But it is a moment to reset, refocus, and ensure that what remains of Europe’s sustainability framework is implemented with integrity and ambition.”
