Climate Change
The management of carbon and wider climate change initiatives remain at the forefront of the political agenda and present ever increasing challenges for businesses.
Our worldwide climate change practice group has advised extensively on carbon related projects, initiatives to mitigate carbon impacts and the development of CSR policies and carbon management strategies for clients. For more on the work of the Climate Change Practice Group, please also see emissions trading.
Allen & Overy is also at the forefront of the renewable energy market, advising both companies and financiers across the renewable energy spectrum, including hydro, energy from waste, solar, wind, biomass, biofuels and co-firing. We assist clients on the regulatory aspects of a wide range of renewables projects, as well as the environmental economic instruments which are so essential in making such projects viable, such as the UK’s Renewables Obligation, green certificates and tariffs in Europe, and emissions credits under the Kyoto Protocol.
The geographic reach of Allen & Overy, including the transfer of knowledge between different offices and jurisdictions, means that we are able to keep abreast of the latest green initiatives and legislative developments occurring around the globe.
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Publications: 18 MARCH 2020
European commission publishes draft climate law: Europe’s “man on the moon” moment?
On 4 March 2020, the European Commission (the Commission) published a draft EU climate law, along with inception impact assessments for an EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and revisions to the Energy Taxation Directive.
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Publications: 06 MARCH 2020
Review of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive: towards an EU-wide ESG reporting standard
In December 2019, as part of the European Green Deal1, the European Commission committed to reviewing the Non-Financial Reporting Directive 2014/95/EU (NFRD). The objectives of this review are two-fold: first, to improve disclosure of climate and environmental data by companies to better inform investors about the sustainability of their investments and, second, to give effect to changes required by the new Disclosure Regulation2 and the forthcoming Taxonomy Regulation.3
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News: 07 JANUARY 2020
A&O rounds off 2019 with stellar performance in global M&A league tables
A&O has marked the end of Q4 2019 with a stellar performance in the M&A league tables; the result of advising on a number of complex, high-value transactions in a wide range of sectors and markets, around our global network in 2019.
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Publications: 29 OCTOBER 2019
Climate change reporting: preparing for a zero-carbon future
Partner Matthew Townsend and Senior PSL, Sara Feijao explain how climate change has risen to be a key concern for large listed companies and the reporting regime with which companies need to comply in the UK.
Read moreRecognition
I can't fault them in terms of the quality of the end product and the turnaround times; they can react very quickly.
Chambers UK 2018 (Environment)
They are approachable and accommodating in the development of arguments.
Chambers UK 2018 (Environment)
Allen & Overy are market leaders.
Chambers Europe 2016 (Regulatory: Environment)
The quality of the work is very high and they are able and competent lawyers.
Chambers UK 2016 (Environment)