By MIA Sustainability, Digital Economy and Services
As the sustainability landscape continues to evolve, MIA presents the July 2026 edition of “Top Sustainability News for Accountants”, featuring key developments from Malaysia and around the world. This edition highlights the increasing use of sustainability disclosures in financing decisions, recognition of ESG excellence in Malaysia, regulatory efforts to streamline reporting requirements and new initiatives to support the application of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.
2 July 2026
Banks Increasingly Require Firms Seeking Loans to Provide Sustainability Reports — ESGright
Banks and other financial institutions are increasingly requiring companies seeking financing to provide sustainability reports as part of their loan assessment process. According to ESGright, sustainability disclosures have become an important factor in evaluating a company’s long-term resilience, risk management, and governance practices, reflecting the growing integration of ESG considerations into lending and investment decisions. https://www.bernamabiz.com/news.php?id=2575660/
3 July 2026
Bursa Malaysia Becomes First Malaysian Listed Firm to Secure Top FTSE4Good ESG Score
Bursa Malaysia has become the first Malaysian listed company to achieve the highest ESG score in the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, reflecting its strong commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The recognition underscores Bursa Malaysia’s leadership in promoting sustainable capital markets and reinforces the growing importance of robust ESG performance and transparent corporate governance within Malaysia’s financial ecosystem. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2026/07/03/bursa-malaysia-becomes-first-malaysian-listed-firm-to-secure-top-ftse4good-esg-score/amp/)
10 July 2026
EU Commission Adopts Revised Sustainability Reporting Standards
The European Commission has adopted revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) to simplify sustainability reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The updated standards are expected to reduce mandatory disclosure data points by more than 70% and lower compliance costs by around 30% per company, while maintaining high-quality, decision-useful sustainability information for investors and stakeholders. https://www.esgdive.com/news/eu-commission-adopts-revised-sustainability-reporting-standards/824974/
23 July 2026
RSPO Launches New Guidance to Leverage Sustainable Palm Oil Certification for IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has launched new guidance to help companies leverage RSPO certification when reporting under the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The guidance supports organisations in aligning sustainable palm oil practices with IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure requirements, enabling more consistent, credible, and decision-useful sustainability reporting while reducing reporting complexity. https://www.eco-business.com/press-releases/rspo-launches-new-guidance-to-leverage-sustainable-palm-oil-certification-for-ifrs-sustainability-disclosure-standards/
24 July 2026
European Union (EU) Proposes Sustainability Reporting Rules for Big Foreign Firms
The European Commission (EC) has proposed new sustainability reporting rules that would require large non-EU companies with significant operations in the European Union (EU) to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The proposal aims to ensure a level playing field between European Union (EU) and foreign firms by enhancing the consistency, transparency, and comparability of sustainability disclosures across global markets. https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-state/eu-proposes-sustainability-reporting-rules-for-big-foreign-firms
As sustainability reporting frameworks continue to evolve globally, accountants play an increasingly important role in supporting transparent, reliable, and decision-useful disclosures. MIA remains committed to keeping members informed of key developments that shape the future of corporate reporting and sustainable business practices.
