Webinar Recap: NEDs’ Perspective on the New EU Measures: Industrial Policy & Reporting

On March 20, 2025, Boards Impact Forum joined forces with Chapter Zero’s European network for a critical discussion hosted by Chapter Zero France on the evolving EU policy landscape. This webinar provided NEDs with key insights into the Clean Industrial Deal and the Omnibus Package—two major regulatory initiatives shaping the future of sustainability, competitiveness, and corporate governance.

Our Operations Director, Fernanda Torre, contributed to the discussion alongside a distinguished panel:

Mercedes Sanchez Varela – Chapter Zero Brussels
Carine de Boissezon – Chapter Zero France
Alberto Horcajo – Chapter Zero Spain
Silvia Stefini – Chapter Zero Italy

Table of Contents

The Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonization as a Competitive Advantage

The Clean Industrial Deal, released in February 2025, aims to turn decarbonization into an engine of industrial growth, particularly for energy-intensive sectors. Built on six key pillars—affordable energy, clean demand, financing, circularity, external competitiveness, and workforce readiness—the Deal seeks to position Europe as a leader in the clean transition.

While panelists acknowledged its ambition, concerns emerged:

Strategic integration – How will multiple dialogues be effectively embedded in governance frameworks?
Breadth vs. clarity – Does the Deal risk becoming too broad to be effective?
Energy sufficiency – Will it adequately address Europe’s energy dependency?
Financing challenges – Who will bear the cost of this transition?
Environmental standards – Could relaxed ecological requirements undermine the EU’s leadership in sustainability?

The Omnibus Package: Simplification or Deregulation?

The Omnibus Package, introduced in late 2024, promises to reduce the regulatory burden by 25%, particularly for SMEs. However, many fear it could dilute sustainability efforts. Key policy changes include:

CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) – Drastic reduction in scope (~80% of companies excluded) and data requirements
CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) – Due diligence limited to tier 1 suppliers; climate plan requirements removed
EU Taxonomy – Applies only to firms with over 1,000 employees, with simplified reporting
CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) – Introduction of de minimis thresholds, exempting 90% of companies

Reactions were mixed, as directors weighed the benefits of reduced complexity against the risks of weakened governance:

Despite deregulation, will investor pressure for ESG data persist?
Does simplification compromise credibility?
Will unpredictability make long-term planning harder?
Are early adopters of CSRD now at a disadvantage?

Strategic Reflections from Non-Executive Directors

Panelists shared how their boards are navigating these shifts:

Alberto Horcajo (Grupo Lantero – Lynthia Networks) stressed the economic viability of circular economy models, especially for energy-intensive sectors.
Carine de Boissezon (EDF) emphasized electrification as the backbone of decarbonization and warned against losing trust in regulatory institutions.
Silvia Stefini (Leonardo, Banca Popolare di Sondrio) highlighted the intersection of climate and security, stressing the role of innovation in aerospace and defense.
Fernanda Torre (Next Agents, Boards Impact Forum) underscored the urgency of strategic innovation, pointing out that EU R&D investment (2.2%) still lags behind the 3.5% seen in the U.S. She called on boards to take a proactive role in shaping transformation, rather than just overseeing it.

Key Takeaways for Board Directors

As regulatory landscapes evolve, corporate boards must navigate new tensions beyond compliance:

✅ Industrial policy and ESG reporting are now inseparable

✅ Simplification should not come at the cost of credibility

✅ Climate risk = Strategic risk – Boards must embed it into governance, not just compliance checklists

✅ Scenario thinking and value chain alliances are essential board tools

✅ ESG should drive innovation and resilience, not just reporting requirements

The webinar highlighted an urgent reality: board directors must move beyond reacting to regulatory changes and actively shape their industries’ strategic response.

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At Boards Impact Forum, we remain committed to supporting NEDs in this evolving landscape, ensuring sustainability and governance go hand in hand.