Global Sustainability & Environmental Law Timeline (2015-2025)
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This timeline highlights major global laws, treaties, and policy actions shaping sustainability, biodiversity, and environmentalism-both pro- and anti-ESG/environmental-over the last decade.
This timeline highlights major global laws, treaties, and policy actions shaping sustainability, biodiversity, and environmentalism-both pro- and anti-ESG/environmental-over the last decade.
- Green: Pro-ESG/Environmental
- Red: Anti-ESG/Environmental
- Blue: Neutral/Reference
2025-04-28
EPA Sets PFAS Discharge Limits
(USA)
2025-04-23
Emergency Permitting for Fossil Fuel Projects
(USA)
2025-03-07
US Backs Out of Just Energy Transition Partnership
(USA)
2025-02-25
NEPA Rollback
(USA)
2025-01-20
US Withdraws from Paris Agreement (again)
(USA)
2025-01-10
EPA Milestones Timeline Released
(USA)
EPA publishes a comprehensive timeline of US environmental milestones.
EPA publishes a comprehensive timeline of US environmental milestones.
2024-11-12
Project 2025 Policy Proposals
(USA)
2024-12-31
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
(EU)
2024-07-18
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
(EU)
2024-02-27
UN Multilateral Actions Timeline Update
(Global)
Ongoing international cooperation on ozone, biodiversity, and hazardous waste treaties.
Ongoing international cooperation on ozone, biodiversity, and hazardous waste treaties.
2023-11-30
COP28 Loss and Damage Fund Established
(Global)
2023-09-08
First Paris Agreement Global Stocktake
(Global)
UN assessment finds world not on track to meet Paris goals; calls for more ambition.
UN assessment finds world not on track to meet Paris goals; calls for more ambition.
2023-06-29
EU Deforestation Regulation
(EU)
2022-12-19
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
(Global)
2022-03-02
UN Resolution to End Plastic Pollution
(Global)
175+ countries agree to draft a legally binding treaty by 2024 to curb plastic pollution.
175+ countries agree to draft a legally binding treaty by 2024 to curb plastic pollution.
2021-11-13
COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact
(Global)
Countries agree to accelerate action, address coal, and boost climate finance.
Countries agree to accelerate action, address coal, and boost climate finance.
2021-01-20
US Rejoins Paris Agreement
(USA)
US re-enters the Paris Agreement on President Biden’s first day in office.
US re-enters the Paris Agreement on President Biden’s first day in office.
2020-11-04
US Officially Exits Paris Agreement
(USA)
The US completes its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
The US completes its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
2020-12-27
American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM)
(USA)
2020-07-01
EU Taxonomy Regulation
(EU)
Creates a classification system for environmentally sustainable economic activities, affecting investment and reporting.
Creates a classification system for environmentally sustainable economic activities, affecting investment and reporting.
2019-05-06
IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity
(Global)
UN report warns of unprecedented biodiversity loss and calls for urgent action.
UN report warns of unprecedented biodiversity loss and calls for urgent action.
2018-10-08
IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C
(Global)
Landmark report highlights the urgency of limiting warming to 1.5°C to avoid severe impacts.
Landmark report highlights the urgency of limiting warming to 1.5°C to avoid severe impacts.
2017-08-16
Minamata Convention on Mercury enters into force
(Global)
International treaty to protect human health and the environment from mercury emissions.
International treaty to protect human health and the environment from mercury emissions.
2017-06-01
US Announces Withdrawal from Paris Agreement
(USA)
US signals intent to exit the Paris climate accord under President Trump.
US signals intent to exit the Paris climate accord under President Trump.
2016-10-15
Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol
(Global)
Adds hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the list of controlled substances, targeting a major greenhouse gas.
Adds hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the list of controlled substances, targeting a major greenhouse gas.
2016-11-04
Paris Agreement Enters into Force
(Global)
The Paris Agreement becomes legally binding for signatories.
The Paris Agreement becomes legally binding for signatories.
2015-12-12
Paris Agreement
(Global)
Ongoing
Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), TSCA, RCRA
(USA)
Foundational US federal environmental laws, continuously amended and enforced.
Foundational US federal environmental laws, continuously amended and enforced.
Ongoing
Montreal Protocol, Vienna Convention, Basel, Stockholm, CBD
(Global)
Foundational international treaties on ozone, hazardous waste, persistent pollutants, and biodiversity.
Foundational international treaties on ozone, hazardous waste, persistent pollutants, and biodiversity.
