Clifford Chance’s Americas ESG Board coordinates the firm’s cross-disciplinary ESG efforts across the region in close collaboration with the Global ESG Board and its worldwide strategies and initiatives. At the forefront of many ESG developments, the firm demonstrates particular strength in advising clients on energy transition-related opportunities, sustainable finance, the formation and management of funds focused on renewable energy, sustainability and decarbonization, and shareholder governance.

Clients range from The US Department of Energy, the DFC, and other government agencies to the IFC and US banks. Washington DC-based senior counsel David Evans, co-head of the Americas energy and projects group, recently advised the Green Hydrogen Coalition on the launch of HyDeal North America, a consultation platform with the aim to build scaled supply chains that deliver green hydrogen at US$1.50/kg by 2030. Another highlight was the representation of the underwriters, led by BofA Securities, Inc., on the IPO of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust, a newly organized closed-end management investment company focused on ESG investment opportunities. Capital Dynamics is also a key client; recent work for the asset manager includes the formation of Clean Energy Infrastructure X (CEI X), a targeted $1.5 billion clean energy and infrastructure fund.

Notable is also the firm’s pro bono work for NGO Greenmap regarding the implementation of the International Guarantee Trust Fund for Renewable Energy (iTrust) as well as its Cornerstone initiative focusing on sustainable development in Kigali, Rwanda.

The firm’s newly created Environment Board handles internal sustainability strategies and goals, including working with Carbon Intelligence to establish science-based targets to achieve Net Zero by 2030, and a partnership with EcoVadis to monitor sustainability performance and implement a sustainable procurement program. Not only is the firm a Net Zero Lawyers Alliance founding member, but it has also developed a climate change policy under which it seeks to not undertake matters with adverse impact on climate change.

A UN Global Compact signatory, the firm partnered with the UN for COP26, where it launched its “Just Transitions” White Paper. It also published a report on trade emissions reduction with the World Economic Forum.