Editor's welcome
Welcome to the Green Hub, the first and only single platform dedicated entirely to exploring the legal sector’s engagement with a green transition. From ESG and sustainability to climate action and net-zero, here you will find private practice and in-house perspectives on the move towards a greener economy.
If you’d like to contribute to the content on our hub or would like to provide any feedback, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Anna Bauböck, Editor, Global Green Guide
Blogs
Raising the Bar: The Role of Barristers and their Chambers in the Climate Crisis and Green Transition
The article highlights influential work done by barristers and their chambers to fight against climate change and drive the green transition. Examples are from 39 Essex Chambers, Cornerstone Barristers, Doughty Street Chambers, Matrix Chambers and Twenty Essex.
The role of lawyers in the green transition: Six ways of making a positive impact
Maya Sainani explores six ways how lawyers can make a positive impact in the green transition
Navigating ESG Politics: The US Predicament
Olivia Hart investigates the anti-ESG movement in the US. The article explores how the politicization of ESG has divided US states, creating a varied and unpredictable regulatory landscape which law firms and their clients must navigate.
Demanding trust from carbon offsets: why the legal sector must diligently interact with the Voluntary Carbon Market to support global decarbonisation
Harry Hyde explores how the legal sector can utilise emerging best practices in the carbon offset market to help realise necessary positive change
Navigating Post-Brexit Environmental Legislation in the UK: Challenges and Opportunities
Maya Sainani looks at the future of environmental law and protection in the UK
Sustainable finance hub Singapore
David Koehne speaks to Allen & Gledhill about Singapore’s efforts to position itself as green finance hub in the region
The Devil Wears (Sustainable) Prada – all eyes on fashion’s sustainability claims
Amy Ulliott takes a closer look at moves to legislate sustainable fashion.
Can lawyers make dispute resolution greener?
Laura Pollard examines law firms’ pledges to greener litigation and arbitration, and the path to greener dispute resolution.
Breaking the unsustainable chain
James Field takes a closer look at the proposed Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.
To B or not to B Corp – that is the question law firms may want to ask themselves
Anna Bauböck looks at purpose-led business practice and why some firms seek B Corp status.
Navigating a greener future – The promise and challenge of maritime ETS
Clara Mozes examines how the shipping industry, a sector that has traditionally not earned a reputation for being very environmentally friendly, is navigating a greener future.
Navigating ESG issues – The ever-increasing need for ESG expertise
Laura Pollard examines the increasingly prominent need for law firms to have in-house ESG and sustainability expertise.
Do cryptocurrencies have a place in the sustainable investment movement?
Amy Ulliott looks at a somewhat inevitable collision course between cryptoassets and a more green-conscious approach.
Poland’s long journey towards a green transition
David Koehne investigates the positive developments Poland is taking to embrace esg policies.
Law Firm Carbon Footprints: What are firms doing to reach net zero?
With the race to reduce carbon emissions at the top of the global agenda, Barnaby Merrill looks at what law firms are doing to mitigate climate change.
Amnesia and supply chains: the German law that brings due diligence back into focus
Chris Vlachopoulos looks at the new "LkSG" German law that puts supply chains under scrutiny.
ESG Colourwashing – why leadership with integrity is necessary to combat corporate hypocrisy
The Legal 500 Deutschland and Global Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck talks to widely respected The Legal 500 Germany GC Powerlist alumnus and internationally acclaimed head of legal Timo Matthias Spitzer, LL.M. (Wellington) about the introduction of ESG principles in business strategies and a resulting potential proliferation of so-called “ESG colourwashing”.
Green is the new black
Amy Ulliott, The Legal 500's Caribbean and Nordics editor, discusses how Norway is standing out as a leader among nations in its dedication to renewable energy and sustainability.
ESG in the DACH region: from soft topic to hard fact
While ESG concerns climb higher on DACH region companies’ agendas, one of the main challenges continues to be the directive – or rather the lack thereof.
Most recent guides
Sustainable Conversations
A video series that explores the legal sector’s perspectives on finding a balance between business practices and the health of our planet. In short and to-the-point interviews, legal professionals share their crucial thoughts on net-zero, ESG and sustainability.
Ilona Karppinen and Ralf Lindbäck
Ilona Karppinen, Partner at Castrén & Snellman, speaks to Ralf Lindbäck, Managing Counsel at Wärtsilä Corporation, about integrating ESG into dispute management.
Anushree Tripathi: Part 2
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to climate change law consultant Anushree Tripathi about the opportunities created by a green, just and equitable transition in India.
Anushree Tripathi: Part 1
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to climate change law consultant Anushree Tripathi about the challenges in connection with a green, just and equitable transition in India.
Carlos Landazabal Angeli
The Legal 500 speaks to Carlos Landazabal Angeli, Compliance and Data Protection Manager EMEA MSS at Canadian Solar, about how in-house lawyers can drive the energy transition in an organisation.
Caroline Pontoppidan
The Legal 500 speaks to Caroline Pontoppidan, executive vice president, general counsel and head of corporate affairs at Maersk, to discuss the impact of ESG and geopolitics on legal and compliance.
Roberta Downey and Kai-Uwe Karl: Part 2
Roberta Downey, Partner & Head of International Construction at Vinson & Elkins speaks to Kai-Uwe Karl, Global Chief Litigation Counsel at GE Renewable Energy about how dispute resolution must adapt to climate change and the energy transition.
Roberta Downey and Kai-Uwe Karl: Part 1
Roberta Downey, Partner & Head of International Construction at Vinson & Elkins speaks to Kai-Uwe Karl, Global Chief Litigation Counsel at GE Renewable Energy about whether our dispute resolution system is ready to cope with the increasing need for environmental disputes.
Anna Bauböck and Diane Gilhooley
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Diane Gilhooley, global ESG co-head at Eversheds Sutherland, about recent ESG trends and the impact on the legal community.
Olivia Hart and Kirsty Green-Mann
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart talks to Kirsty Green-Mann, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Burges Salmon, about how law firms can really ‘walk the talk’ and become more sustainable.
Olivia Hart and Michael Barlow
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Michael Barlow, partner in Burges Salmon’s environment team, about how law firms can support clients in their Net Zero and ESG journeys.
Olivia Hart and Rajesh Sreenivasan
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Rajesh Sreenivasan at Rajah & Tann about the interplay between technology, data and ESG in Asean.
Olivia Hart and Loh Yong Hui
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Loh Yong Hui at Rajah & Tann about the drivers and challenges associated with the energy transition in the ASEAN region.
Olivia Hart and Lee Weilin
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Lee Weilin, banking & finance partner and head of sustainability at Rajah & Tann, about sustainable finance trends and challenges in the ASEAN region.
Olivia Hart and Dr Tada Zukas
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Dr Tadas Zukas, Global Lead Senior Legal Counsel Sustainability/ESG at Vontobel, Switzerland, about understanding greenwashing.
Olivia Hart and Emma Jelley
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Emma Jelley, director and coach at Bright Blu Dot, about maintaining momentum and stamina in ESG work.
Samuli Tarkiainen and Nora Steiner-Forsberg
Samuli Tarkiainen, partner at Castrén & Snellman, speaks to Nora Steiner-Forsberg, GC at Fortum Corporation, about the Nordic energy transition and what role lawyers should play.
Olivia Hart and Thomas Jelley
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Thomas Jelley, founder of Bright Blu Dot, on ‘Getting to Grips with ESG, without the OMG’, discussing the changing regulatory landscape from a consultancy perspective.
Anna Bauböck and Katie Smart
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Katie Smart, General Counsel & Company Secretary at Tarmac, about the opportunity in corporations doing the right thing.
Anna Bauböck and Kenny Robertson
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Kenny Robertson, Head of Outsourcing, Technology & IP legal team at NatWest, about role modelling a learning culture around climate transition.
Anna Bauböck and Alberto Ninio
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Alberto Ninio, General Counsel at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, about finding the fortitude to implement ESG policies.
Michelle Beckers
The Global Green Guide met Michelle Beckers, General Counsel at Sphera, to discuss the evolving importance of ESG and the power of customers.
More ESG Content
Black History Month Q&A: Naomi Tarawali, Cleary Gottlieb
In celebration of Black History Month, Cleary partner Naomi Tarawali shared her perspectives on her legal career during a recent conversation with Legal Business. Did you always want to become a lawyer? No, absolutely not. It was a little bit of an accidental path of discovery for me. When I was deciding on what I …
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Black History Month Q&A: Miguel Colebrook, Vinson & Elkins
In celebration of Black History Month, V&E partner Miguel Colebrook shared his perspectives on his legal career during a recent conversation with Legal Business. Can you tell me about your path to becoming a partner at V&E? I became a partner in the firm’s M&A and capital markets practice group in January, having joined the …
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‘If Zoom is doing it, everybody probably needs to be’: Growing number of US law firms mandate four-days-in-office week
Lawyers adhering to a minimum of four days in the office a week policy is gaining traction among US firms, with Vinson & Elkins now joining the trend, while UK firms appear less inclined to follow suit just yet. Vinson & Elkins announced on 9 August that it will adopt a four-day in-office schedule from …
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The ESG Report 2023 – Are leading global firms finally embracing ESG in earnest?
Overview – From buzzword to bona fide? Our third annual ESG report reveals that firms are more willing to substantiate their ESG credentials. Is the industry finally moving away from paying lip service and towards embracing ESG in earnest? Governance – Words into deeds While environmental concerns and diversity efforts have dominated the ESG agenda, …
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The ESG Report: Overview – From buzzword to bona fide?
‘Greenwashing is a new phrase, but it’s quite an old idea. It’s fundamentally, are you doing what you say you’re doing? While it has a new title, the advice is still as it has always been. We say to clients, how are you backing up your claims? It’s that level of clarification that companies need …
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The ESG Report: Governance – Words into deeds
‘Governance was a concern long before people started talking about ESG. What we’ve learnt over time, though, is that governance is also about having a better business. There’s a carrot as well as a stick: an opportunity to gain financial advantage as well as to avoid regulatory issues.’ The words of DLA Piper boardroom counsel …
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The ESG Report: Litigation – Perpetual motion
ESG litigation is now a buzzword in disputes. Legal Business turned to litigators and funders to examine the market – and what we can expect moving forwards ‘If we accept the wider definition that is so popular in everyday usage, you’d probably say that ESG litigation has exploded in the last three to five years …
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‘Carveouts are here to stay’: green energy deals dominate as major players see signs of a bounceback
Early 2023 has been a tough time for deals. In our 2023 Deals Yearbook, for instance, citing Dealogic, we noted a decline in both the volume and value of deals. Q1 2023 saw just 601 deals totalling $19.6bn in the UK, while globally there were 9,400 deals worth a little under $591bn. This marks the …
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The Last Word: On message
‘I’m of the view that there’s no such thing as an ESG lawyer. What we can do, by educating the trainees as they come in, is help them to understand ESG, so that it can permeate their practices throughout their careers.’ Rachel Richardson, Macfarlanes On the back of our third annual ESG report, key decision …
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Sponsored briefing: ESG in Switzerland
Dr Vera Naegeli and Marie-Cristine Kaptan discuss the evolving ESG legal field in Switzerland and how companies can abide by the new regulations. Overview of the Swiss Legal ESG Framework General overview The term ‘ESG’ as such does not exist in Swiss legislation. It may be interpreted in many different ways and encompass a diverse …
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