Get ready for the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements in 2024

The UK is set to introduce the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) in 2024, which will standardize how asset owners and managers communicate and market their sustainable investment products. This legislation aims to prevent greenwashing and provide investors with the information necessary to make informed choices about sustainable finance products. The Financial Conduct Authority estimates that around 1,400 UK asset managers will fall under the disclosure rules, with an additional 5,500 firms impacted by targeting rules. The SDR will introduce sustainability labels for funds, requiring at least 70% of assets to meet the label’s objectives. The legislation aligns with the UK’s goal to achieve net zero by 2050 and may eventually cover pension products, portfolio management, and insurance-based investment products. The SDR and the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) have similarities, allowing data processed in line with the SFDR to satisfy many of the requirements of the SDR. Firms are urged to download a guide released by Position Green to understand the changes and prepare for compliance. Compliance with the SDR goes beyond reporting; it also requires firms to have adequate resources and governance to meet sustainability objectives.