Europe’s ESG Landscape and Key Trends in 2026

Why Europe’s ESG Framework Is Resetting in 2026 Europe ESG trends 2026 reveal a reality that differs sharply from recent headlines. Behind regulatory delays, simplification efforts, and political pushbacks, ESG rules across the EU are not being abandoned. Instead, they are being recalibrated and embedded into the core of business, finance, and trade. As Europe […]

Why ESG Strategy Will Define Corporate Success in 2026

Introduction to ESG in 2026 If 2025 marked the moment ESG matured, 2026 will be the year it proves its relevance. Reporting will remain necessary. However, it will no longer differentiate companies. By now, ESG disclosures are expected. What matters next is how organizations use ESG insights to guide real decisions. From my work with […]

Closing 2025: How ESG Shifted From Hype to Strategy

Introduction: ESG at the End of 2025 As 2025 draws to a close, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is no longer surrounded by enthusiasm or novelty. It has entered a phase of realism. Despite sensational headlines and political backlash, this was not the year ESG failed. It was the year the hype settled and the […]

Which Greek SMEs Face New ESG Rules

Introduction to New ESG Regulations Over the past few years, the European Union has shifted ESG from a voluntary best practice to a regulatory and market driven obligation. Even when a small or medium sized enterprise does not fall directly within the scope of a specific ESG directive, it is still affected indirectly. Large corporate […]

Why Biodiversity Credits Could Be ESG’s Next Game Changer

Introduction to Biodiversity Credits For years, ESG finance has revolved around carbon. Carbon markets, net-zero targets, and emissions disclosures became the dominant tools for managing environmental risk, especially in the context of evolving EU climate targets and ESG strategies. Yet recent developments reported through Environmental Finance indicate a meaningful shift. Biodiversity credits are beginning to […]

Interview with Nikos Avlonas, CSE: “We insisted on ESG long before it became mainstream”

As the Center for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) celebrates its 20th anniversary, founder and president Nikos Avlonas looks back on two decades of growth, innovation and international impact. In this exclusive interview, he highlights the milestones that shaped CSE’s global presence, the strategic choices that strengthened its resilience and the urgent challenges sustainability professionals face […]

Why the Global Carbon Levy on Shipping Still Matters

Introduction to the Global Carbon Levy on Shipping As someone who has spent over two decades working with corporations and institutions on ESG and sustainability strategies, I’ve seen how complex yet vital global cooperation is when it comes to emissions pricing. The global carbon levy on shipping, now under negotiation by the International Maritime Organization […]

From Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case: Building Climate-Resilient Supply Chains

Introduction to Climate Resilience in Business Extreme weather is no longer an outlier—it’s the baseline. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires disrupt factories, transport corridors, and consumer prices. The once-celebrated efficiency of “just-in-time” now exposes businesses to cascading climate risks. As I argue in my book, Practical Sustainability Strategies, resilience must move from side project to […]

Europe’s Next Green Engine: The Power of Sustainable Procurement

Introduction to Sustainable Procurement As sustainability professionals, we often talk about innovation and impact — but few tools hold as much untapped potential as public procurement. Representing nearly 14% of the European Union’s GDP, public spending is not just administrative: it’s transformative. When governments choose sustainable suppliers and low-emission solutions, they can accelerate Europe’s green […]

AI Meets ESG: How Artificial Intelligence is Redefining Sustainability Strategy

Introduction: AI’s Transformative Role in ESG As a sustainability professional with over two decades of experience, I’ve witnessed many technological revolutions — but few as transformative as Artificial Intelligence (AI). No longer a futuristic concept, AI is rapidly reshaping how organizations design, implement, and measure their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. Whether it’s predictive […]