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Sub practice
Sub practice

Nature Protection and Biodiversity

Stringent international, EU and national legislation for flora and fauna species protection and habitat conservation has a significant impact on many types of businesses.

It also represents a potential opportunity, with growing policy and market moves towards methods of valuing the economic capital of biodiversity.

Projects in or near the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas may be subject to specific permitting regimes or restrictive conditions. Even existing businesses may be impacted by the presence of protected species. At the same time, forward looking companies may also be interested in taking advantage of market measures to monetise the natural capital of land and ecosystems within their control.

Members of the International Environment, Climate and Regulatory Law Group in Allen & Overy's international network of offices are well-placed to assist with what is often considered one of the most complex and detailed areas of environmental law, advising on both the international framework and the national implementing legislation for nature protection. Recent experiences include advice to, and risk assessments for, power and infrastructure projects, both nationally and in cross- and near-border contexts.

News and insights

Blocks of ice

Publications: 29 November 2023

Podcast: Key issues to watch at COP 28

COP 28 is a significant milestone. Not only will the conference hear the findings of the first-ever Global Stocktake, which reviews progress against the goals of the Paris Agreement, but extensive…

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Green leaf close up

Publications: 14 November 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new PFAS reporting rule takes effect

On November 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s final rule broadening reporting requirements for the “manufacture” of per- and polyfluoroalky substances (PFAS) (the PFAS…

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Aerial view of a river

Publications: 04 October 2023

ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards – challenges in global regulatory implementation and market adoption

Much has happened since the first two Sustainability Disclosure Standards were published by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in June 2023 to form a global baseline of…

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Biodiversity; ecosystem protection; CBD COP15; COP26

Blog Post: 21 December 2022

COP15 – A new framework for nature

The path to an agreement has been a long one, requiring the consent of over 190 countries, however, the Global Biodiversity Framework final text has finally been approved.

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Recognition