HFW’s sector focus approach situates it well to advise on the energy transition in typically energy intensive industries including aviation, construction, and shipping.

Key clients in the shipping sector include Swedbank and KfW IPEX-Bank; the firm assisted both with the financing of low carbon vessels. The team also advised KiwiRail on the world’s first shipping loan to be certified by the Climate Board Initiative for the construction, purchase, and financing of KiwiRail’s ‘Interislander’ ferry service.

Offshore wind is another active area for the firm. It is currently advising on two projects with respective capacities of 450MW and 850MW off the coast of Scotland.

In 2021, along with the launch of a new sustainability strategy, Giles Kavanaugh was appointed as the first sustainability partner. Kavanaugh collaborates with over 20 ‘sustainability champions’ appointed across the business to realise the new strategy. To improve operational emissions the firm has partnered with Planet Mark to conduct a climate audit and establish an accurate footprint from which to target reductions.

The firm is also a member of the Chancery Lane Project and a founding member of the World Ocean Council.