In a striking display of public opinion, a new Ipsos poll reveals that three-quarters of Europeans advocate for robust accountability measures for large companies regarding human rights and environmental impacts within their global supply chains. This sentiment comes at a time when the European Union appears to be scaling back on corporate sustainability regulations.

The survey, which encompassed over 10,000 participants from ten European countries, indicates a strong public backing for the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Despite this, 58 percent of those surveyed are in favor of the directive, which is designed to promote responsible corporate behavior through stringent sustainability due diligence requirements.

Furthermore, more than half of the respondents (53 percent) believe that the EU should prioritize its environmental laws and place the protection of human rights and the environment above corporate profits. This perspective is particularly poignant following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, emphasizing a global urgency for environmental action.

Beate Beller, EU Senior Campaigner for Global Witness, commented on the survey results, emphasizing the strong public demand for immediate climate action and the safeguarding of human rights. "Europeans are sending Brussels a powerful message of support for urgent climate action and the protection of human rights. The European Union must honor its commitments and resist lobbyists trying to force a race to the bottom," Beller stated.

Contrasting with public opinion, the EU's recent legislative changes, including the Omnibus proposal introduced in February 2025, seek to lessen the regulatory load on EU businesses to enhance their competitiveness. Critics, including human rights organizations and legal experts, argue that these amendments dilute the corporate sustainability standards previously upheld by the EU, particularly by limiting due diligence to direct business partners and postponing the implementation of key directives.

In response to these legislative adjustments, the Council of the EU has moved to simplify sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, particularly for smaller companies, further narrowing the scope of the CSDDD. These changes include deferrals in the enforcement of both the CSDDD and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee is poised to vote on its stance regarding the Omnibus proposal on October 13, a decision that could significantly influence the future of corporate accountability in Europe. As legislative bodies continue to debate these critical issues, the clear consensus among European citizens stands as a potent reminder of the public's priorities in the face of climate and human rights challenges.