In the final episode of this series, Simon Nixon talks to Annika Ramsköld of Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest producers and retailers of electricity and heat. The Swedish-based company employs over 21,000 people.

Ramsköld explains reporting and regulation actually helps larger companies to deal with SMEs, and how trustworthy data is the key to competitiveness for small and large companies alike.

She points out that Europe is already lagging behind Asia in renewable technology and says that the EU must urgently lean in to investment in fossil-free energy if it is to keep up. But, she says, uncertainty around regulation is causing unnecessary delays.

Ramskold says she is “puzzled” by French and German attempts to roll back CSDDD due diligence regulation, despite the fact both countries already have their own stringent due diligence laws.

She says companies like Vattenfall have welcomed CSRD and CSDDD for creating a level playing field across Europe, allowing companies to focus on performance.

Key topics:

• The role of regulation in supporting SMEs

• The risk of Europe falling behind in the race for renewables

• The need for clear pan-European regulation and reporting to simplify red tape and promote competitiveness.

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