2024 was a pivotal year for the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ) and corporate due diligence  in Europe. After years of tireless advocacy, the EU has taken a first step towards corporate justice with the adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). ECCJ has played a significant role contributing to civil society’s advocacy and coordination.

The year’s crowning achievement was undoubtedly the adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in May 2024. The CSDDD will require businesses to put concrete measures in place to prevent human rights and environmental harm deriving from their operations and business relationships. Despite a number of limitations and loopholes, it carries the potential to trigger a fundamental shift in business conduct, away from the doctrine of maximisation of shareholder value being the main business purpose. The CSDDD’s adoption was a significant win not only for the ECCJ and its partner organisations, but for the countless workers, communities and human rights defenders affected by corporate misconduct and harm.

The road to this achievement was fraught with challenges. Resistance to binding standards for companies was strong and last-minute political manoeuvres by Member States and business lobbies watered down the final agreement. Yet, many spoke up in favour and advocated in support, often even unlikely actors. A clear highlight was how civil society shined at its best during this joint effort pushing for the CSDD D – acting cohesively towards the same objective in a decentralised, agile network of collaboration. And ECCJ, alongside national members, its international and Brussels-based partners was right in the middle of it. The CSDDD would look very different today if it hadn’t been for this extended coalition exerting coordinated pressure at national and EU level. Despite the losses, the law still carries the potential to shift business conduct.   next to our direct engagement with policymakers, we have, being part of the campaign Justice is Everybody’s Business, mobilised public support and reached out to partner organisations outside of the European Union.  

To inform about and demystify the CSDDD we organised a Q&A session debunking myths abound the CSDDD before its adoption. Moreover, ECCJ published a comprehensive “Overview of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive” and the  “Transposition Guide for the CSDDD” specifically designed to explain to CSOs, victims, and trade unions how to effectively implement the regulation, advocate for a robust transposition into national laws and use it to fight against corporate abuses. 

Another key highlight for the ECCJ was the broadening of scope beyond the EU borders. We actively participated in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in November 2024. Our aim was to convey what actionable measures the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive CSDDD offers for those facing corporate human rights and environmental abuse. Over the course of the side-event titled “CSDDD Explained. Practical insights for global rightsholders”, we highlighted the CSDDD’s crucial role in the new legal framework and advocated for ambitious national implementation to foster responsible business practices and safeguard human rights globally.

ECCJ is at the #UNForumBHR advocating for the #CSDDD as a transformative tool to fight against corporate impunity.

Through our publications & expertise, we’re amplifying the voices of victims, ensuring their experiences drive action on #HumanRights & environmental accountability pic.twitter.com/X6beVPGd3T

— European Coalition for Corporate Justice (@ECCJorg) November 25, 2024

Our advocacy and legal work on the CSDDD significantly enhanced ECCJ’s reputation for our expertise on EU’s corporate accountability framework. Policymakers, members and partner organisations inside and outside the European Union recognise us as a well-informed and reliable source of expertise on the topic. This makes us really proud of the work we do.

The year 2024’s big milestone was the adoption of the CSDDD. It is also the year in which we have seen significant backlash in relation to the EU’s sustainability legislations. The Commission has announced the plan to initiate an omnibus legislation with the objective to simplify some sustainability legislations which might affect the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the CSDDD. ECCJ is calling for a smart and effective transposition and implementation of the sustainable legislations and not to delay these processes and create legal uncertainty. In 2025, ECCJ will continue to monitor the transposition and  implementation of the CSDDD, advocate for strong national laws, and support affected communities in their pursuit of justice. 

Also in 2025, ECCJ remains committed to our mission of promoting corporate accountability and advancing human rights. 

A note of gratitude: We want to express our sincere thankfulness to our dedicated team, our supportive members, and our partners around the world and to our donors who, with their generous support, are making our work actually possible.