April in ESG: top five trends to watch

1️⃣ ESG as a Symbol of Resistance
Commitment to ESG is increasingly becoming a quiet form of resistance against the rising backlash toward sustainability, climate action, and diversity. While some companies have been surprisingly quick to distance themselves from ESG and DEI requirements, the majority are holding their ground—recognizing that these commitments are not just values-driven, but strategically sound.

2️⃣ India – ESG as a Driver of Innovation and Growth
Conversations in India with leading organisations—such as think tank Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy and Confederation of Indian Industry-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development
impressive sustainability team—revealed a powerful mindset shift. ESG regulation there is seen as a stepping stone toward national prosperity and innovation. With an almost unlimited talent pool and a collective drive to succeed, India is integrating ESG deeply into its economic model. In contrast to parts of Europe, where ESG can feel bureaucratic, Indian leaders view it as essential to unlocking future business opportunities.

4️⃣ ESG Data – Simplification as a Gateway to Global Synergies
In the EU, there’s a growing push to simplify and standardize CSRD reporting requirements. While some view this with concern, at Nordic Impact Lab we welcome it. From our conversations with partners in India and across Africa, it’s clear that emerging market realities are far more diverse than those in Europe. Simplification—done thoughtfully—could create the
synergies needed to align sustainability criteria across global value chains.

4️⃣ Regulation Is Not Slowing Things Down—It’s Accelerating
Despite speculation around regulatory fatigue, what we’re seeing on the ground is the opposite. With the introduction of the EU’s Omnibus, large companies and banks aren’t retreating from ESG—they’re doubling down. By Q3 2025, we anticipate a new wave of initiatives from financial institutions and corporate leaders aimed at supporting value chain readiness and ESG data integration. Implementation is not slowing down—it’s gaining sophistication and reach.

5️⃣ SMEs Are Learning to Speak CSRD—and Asking the Right Questions
One of the most encouraging developments we’re seeing in Denmark is how quickly SMEs are embracing the opportunity embedded in CSRD. These smaller businesses increasingly recognize that ESG is a strategic tool for visibility, funding, and competitive advantage. At the same time, many SMEs are beginning to ask more nuanced questions, which will only increase. This is a reminder of why the EU Taxonomy remains essential as a catalyst for meaningful green transition across the entire business ecosystem.