The Editor's Post: Has Europe opened the door to ‘rampant greenwashing’?

Julie Pybus 28th February 2025

Brussels’ latest policy changes aren’t boring – they might mean the undoing of years of progress towards better business. That's why it’s our duty to cover the EU story and why you should read it. This week’s view from the Pioneers Post newsroom.

The alphabet soup of EU sustainability regulations might not be the most appetising topic for all our readers. But this week we’re leading with a story about the European Commission’s alleged attempt at “full-scale deregulation” – we really do believe it’s an important story and we think that we are well placed to explain it effectively.

The FT has recently written about how it finds it difficult to get its readers to engage with EU stories, while those about Donald Trump are guaranteed to lead to clicks. But this is a crucial development worth highlighting because, as Phil Bloomer, chief executive of human rights charity the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, explained: “The EU’s sustainable finance framework has been a beacon of long-term competitiveness and responsible governance. Yet, at a time when climate and inequality crises demand bold leadership, instead of strengthening these vital protections, the Commission is bowing to irresponsible business lobbies and rolling back progress under the guise of simplification.”

One of our impact goals is ‘fostering learning’, so we’re keen to bring you the key news, in an accessible way, about activities that affect the impact community. What’s more, Pioneers Post is all about business for good, in its broadest sense, and, as our story points out, the EU’s ‘omnibus simplification package’ (I know, the jargon can be soul-destroying) might drive a stake through the heart of all the work that the EU has carried out to date on obliging companies to be responsible global citizens.

And if I can’t persuade you to get on board the EU omnibus, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Make sure that you’re subscribed to The Good Podcasts from Pioneers Post on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. In the latest episode, our reporter David Lyons is at the Kendal Mountain Festival in northern England, talking to Patagonia and others about how they’re building a circular economy in the outdoor clothing industry.

Throwaway fashion is a huge environmental problem, and outdoor sports enthusiasts who energetically pursue the latest skiing, climbing and surfing kit are only contributing to the waste garment mountain and the escalating climate crisis – pushing along the destruction of the very landscapes that they want to enjoy. David has some fascinating conversations – and there are lovely zip noises too.

This week's top stories

Campaigners' fury at attempt to 'eviscerate' EU sustainability laws

Expert Insight: Why development impact bonds’ complexity is a guardrail not a roadblock

Good Stories Episode 4 – Reconfiguring the landscape of the outdoor sports industry

Top image: Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity gives a press conference on the Omnibus packages on sustainability and investment simplification on 26 February 2025. Copyright: European Union 2025.

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