Environmental Disclosure and Corporate Environmental Transparency

SEC reporting requirements on environmental issues, new EU transparency requirements and obligations to report on environmental impacts and standards in annual reports, are just a couple of examples.

Allen & Overy’s environmental and regulatory law experts advise on all types of environmental disclosure requirements and associated problems, such as commercial confidentiality. Whether the issue of disclosure arises in respect of a statutory or permit based obligation, as a result of a request from a regulator or even under pressure from interested stakeholders, Allen & Overy’s sector specific knowledge helps clients grappling with the legal and commercial implications, particularly in relation to business sensitive matters.

The ability to obtain information from government and public bodies which may concern your business or the business of others is both a positive and negative development. We can advise on exactly what "freedom of access to information" might mean for you, and how defences, like commercial confidentiality and national security, come into play.