Full-service Austrian law firm Binder Grösswang has a future-oriented approach to sustainability and the provision of green legal services: Its BG Future Lab initiative founded by a multidisciplinary group of partners (Raoul Hoffer, Johannes Barbist, Stephan Heckenthaler, Ingeborg Edel, Angelika Pallwein-Prettner, and Philipp Kapl) is a think tank which seeks to explore prospective sustainability-related issues clients may face in the coming years.

The firm is at the forefront of the rapidly developing hydrogen market: Christine Dietz advised Siemens Energy regarding its acquisition of a shareholding in its subsidiary Siemens Energy Electrolyzer Manufacturing, which will be active in the manufacture of components for electrolysis systems for hydrogen gas production.

Emanuel Welten is a leading lawyer in sustainability-linked financing at the firm. In  2022 he advised Austrian Federal Railways in connection with ESG-linked loan agreements and registered notes with the combined value of €550m.

The team is also involved in public law and regulatory matters in the developing e-mobility market in the country, including for client ChargePoint Holdings. Notably, the firm is supporting the City of Vienna’s digital pilot and research project, a culture token app which incentivizes travelling via foot, public transportation or bike, allowing users to collect tokens in exchange for tickets to cultural events.

Internally, the firm grants employees access to its own e-bikes, encouraging the use of sustainable means of transport. Furthermore, as of 2020, the firm’s electricity supply has been sourced entirely from renewable hydropower and biogas, and all carbon emissions are offset through clean energy investments.