Belgium

Multi-jurisdictional and UN Global Compact signatory firm CMS regularly advises clients on a range of environmental matters. Its Belgian office stands out for its internal initiatives and for its work advising clients in relation to ESG matters.

The office was awarded the Silver Sustainability ranking by EcoVadis, which mirrored the office’s commitment to train employees on energy conservation and climate actions. Additionally, the office supports Graine de vie (Seed for Life), which offsets the ecological footprint from industrialised countries by planting hundred of hectares of trees each year in developing countries. In an ongoing highlight, the office’s real estate team is assisting SLRB – CityDev with an ESG project, driven by the need to both create more affordable housing in Brussels and have a zero-carbon emission development, counting with a common co-generation platform and solar panels.

Globally, the firm aims to keep clients updates about sustainable trends through its CMS Green Globe Initiative, launched in 2022. It also aims to keep clients ahead of the ESG regulatory framework by providing training sessions. Internally, the firm’s SDG-based environmental roadmap includes measurable goals which demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. These include avoiding, reducing, and offsetting its environmental impact, and carrying out pro bono work and donating to charities involved in supporting the environment. 

France

UN Global Compact signatory firm CMS counts on a specialised French team that often advises clients on sustainable finance matters.

In collaboration with the firm’s Spain office, the French team, led by Céline Cloché-Dubois and Alexandra Rohmert, recently advised Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy on the sale of a 3.9 GW portfolio of onshore wind projects worth €580m to SSE Renewables. The portfolio includes projects in France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. The team also recently assisted TKYB with its first sustainability bond worth €100m; it was issued under TKYB’s Sustainable Finance Framework, which is aligned with the International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, and Sustainability Bond Guidelines. At least 75% of the proceeds of the issue of the bond will be used to fund green projects.

In 2021, the firm formed a partnership with the French National Forest Office, planting 2.5 hectares of trees and offsetting 407 tonnes of carbon emissions. To measure its carbon footprint and set emission reduction targets, the firm will work together with D-carbonise, a provider of carbon footprint management services.

Firmwide measures include the launch of the CMS Green Globe initiative, a platform which aims to keep clients updated about trends and developments relating to sustainability. It also offers training sessions to clients, helping them stay ahead of the ESG regulatory framework.

South Africa

Multi jurisdictional firm CMS is a UN Global Compact Signatory, and counts on a specialised South Africa team that is at the forefront of the country’s renewable energy market.

Following president Ramaphosa’s announcement reforming the license limit for distributed generation projects from 1 MW to 100 MW in August 2021, Johannesburg-based Bridgett Majola and Kabelo Dlothi advised the Development Bank of Southern Africa on two novel 100 MW Solar PV projects, considered pioneer projects under the country’s new energy regulatory environment.

Globally, the firm counts on a SDG-based environmental roadmap, which includes measurable goals which demonstrate the firm’s commitment to sustainability. These include avoiding, reducing, and offsetting its environmental impact, carrying out pro bono work, and donating to charities involved in supporting the environment. Furthermore, for the second year in a row, in 2022 the firm organised a CMS Sustainability Month, an internal initiative aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues with a focus on the climate crisis.