Sustainable Finance Regulation in the European Union

This book explores the regulation of sustainable finance within the European Union, examining its background and development at a practical level. It begins by providing a concise overview of the key events and strategies that have shaped the EU’s sustainable finance landscape, including the Paris Agreement, the 2018 Action Plan, the renewed strategy, and ESMA’s roadmap. Furthermore, it elaborates on the regulations, tools, and standards encompassed by the sustainable finance framework, all of which are founded on this overarching strategy. The core of the book focuses on how six countries—Estonia, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Israel—have adapted and implemented these regulations. It highlights the unique strategies and perspectives each country brings to the global sustainable finance landscape. The book concludes with a cross-country analysis, comparing the regulatory approaches and examining key dimensions like adoption, implementation, social inclusion, and enforcement challenges.