BBJ: What will be the news on the regulatory side regarding ESG in 2026?
Anita Sávoly-Hatta: Our expectation is that, on the one hand, the focus in 2026 will be on implementing sustainability regulations and integrating them into business operations, specifically on building ESG data governance, improving data quality, and preparing audit-proof reports.
On the other hand, since the adoption of the Omnibus proposal has significantly reduced the scope of entities subject to various reporting requirements, the emphasis will shift from regulatory compliance to realizing the business benefits achievable through sustainability performance, such as cost savings, access to green financing, or gaining a competitive advantage.
In 2026, we will have the first insights and experiences regarding the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its financial impact. This year, the postponed EUDR deforestation regulation will come into effect.
We also expect that various greenwashing/greenclaiming cases, and possibly legal proceedings, will emerge in the near future.
BBJ: Is there now a separation between the U.S. and EU approaches to ESG regulation, and does this confuse matters for international businesses?
AS-H: Yes, there is a clear separation in approach. The EU is building a broad, mandatory, and prescriptive sustainability regime across reporting, products, supply chains and trade. The United States is narrower, more litigious and market‑driven, with federal rules focused on financial materiality and anti‑fraud, plus powerful state actions (notably in California). That split does create confusion and duplicate work for multinationals, but you can manage it by building a global “core” and layering jurisdiction‑specific add‑ons.
BBJ: What will be the next ESG trend we should be looking out for?
AS-H: The importance of biodiversity will have moved to the forefront, with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (a market-led, science-based global initiative) gaining broad traction across industries. A mature market of tools will support Scope 3 emissions calculations at scale. AI will be embedded in due diligence and reporting workflows, accelerating data gathering, analysis, and assurance. Product life-cycle assessments will be standard practice, and product passports will be required across a growing range of categories and jurisdictions.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of January 30, 2026.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
