Germany

In Germany, Hogan Lovells has demonstrable expertise advising major clients on transactions, finance provisions, and green bond issuances which facilitate the transition to greener and more efficient energy solutions. 

In Hamburg, the firm advised EB – Sustainable Investment Management and LHI Group on their acquisition of the 71 MW Swedish windfarm project Aldermyrberget, assisting with contract negotiations, merger control issues, and due diligence. 

Supporting the development of renewable energy projects, Carla Luh advised Berenberg Green Energy Junior Debt Funds on its provision of financing to developers for: the construction of a 30 MW onshore wind farm in Finland; the acquisition of a 50 MW solar PV plant in Spain; and the construction and operation of solar PV plants in Italy and Chile.

In a major sustainable finance mandate, the firm’s Frankfurt office advised Norddeutsche Landesbank on its first green bond issuance; the proceeds of the €500m issuance will be used to finance loans for the purchase, construction, or refurbishment of energy-efficient and green buildings. 

The firm’s Responsible Business programme has supported the Rewilding initiative, which helps combat climate change through transforming land areas into wild nature carbon sinks. The firm provides pro bono legal advice and financial sponsoring to Rewilding Europe and is partnered with Snowchange, a non-profit cooperative between indigenous Sámi and local communities in eastern Finland, to finance the rewilding of a former peat extraction site.

Through the Science Based Targets initiative, the firm has committed to both reduce 90% of its scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030 and become net zero by 2030, implementing a global net zero strategy which currently prioritises the transition to renewable energy, sustainable procurement, and green real estate. Facilitating the formulation of clear actions to reduce its internal footprint, the firm certifies its responsible business policies through EcoVadis.  

France

In Paris, Hogan Lovells assists with transactions and financings for leading clients who bring innovative solutions to the green transition within energy, transport and the food industry. 

A key client is Denham Capital, which sought the firm’s advice on the acquisition of the project company managing the 34 MW Djermaya solar power plant and accompanied 4 MW battery electricity storage system. The client’s investment will support the project’s construction, helping expand Chad’s electricity capacity and boosting the nation’s transition away from fossil-fuel reliance. 

The firm also advised Equinor on its investment in Lithium de France, which creates sustainable batteries for the electric vehicle industry through combining the production of zero-carbon geothermal energy with the environmentally friendly extraction of subsurface lithium.

Demonstrating expertise in innovative green financings, the firm represented Ÿnsect in the closing of €750m of C series funding. Consequentially, Ÿnsect can upscale its insect-based protein production, which seeks to decarbonise the food supply chain by circumventing the emissions, water consumption, and land use of the meat-farming industry. 

Vincent Fidelle is highly active assisting with the issuance of green bonds, having advised ALD on the €500m issuance of its inaugural green and positive impact bond, which is aligned with the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative’s Principles for Positive Impact Finance; and RTE on its inaugural €850m green bond issuance. 

Alongside being a member of The Chancery Lane Project, supporting the development of climate change-focused contracts within the legal sector, the firm is a signatory to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero. Through the Science Based Targets initiative, the firm has committed to both reduce 90% of its scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030 and become net zero by 2030, implementing a global net zero strategy which currently prioritises the transition to renewable energy, sustainable procurement, and green real estate.

United Arab Emirates

Contributing to the firm’s five-pillared global ESG practice area – covering environmental law, the energy transition, sustainable finance, social advice, and corporate governance – Hogan Lovells’ Dubai office advises on major green energy projects which seek to create a deep, positive impact toward the region’s decarbonisation. 

In a major highlight, Sohail Barkatali acted for the senior lenders in the financing of the 1500 MW Sudair solar PV IPP. The SAR3.4bn solar plant will be one of the largest in Saudi Arabia and is crucial to the Vision 2030 goal of expanding the renewable electricity capacity within the kingdom’s energy mix. 

To boost clients’ green knowledge, the firm launched a global ESG Academy, which provides videos and podcasts on topics including climate change, green finance, sustainable procurement, and the energy transition; and an ESG Global Vision tool, which coordinates insights into international ESG-related regulations, laws, and standards. Regional insight offered by the Global Vision tool includes summaries and developments concerning environmental protection across the UAE and energy strategy in Abu Dhabi. 

At a global level, the firm is a member of The Chancery Lane Project, supporting the development of climate change-focused contracts within the legal sector, and a signatory to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero. Through the Science Based Targets initiative, the firm has a global commitment to both reduce 90% of its scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030 and become net zero by 2030, implementing a net zero strategy which is currently pursuing the transition to renewable energy, sustainable procurement, and green real estate. The firm certifies its responsible business policies through EcoVadis to help formulate clear, focused actions which reduce its internal footprint. 

South Africa

Hogan Lovells’ Johannesburg office makes a key impact to the firm’s global ESG practice area – which encompasses environmental law, the energy transition, sustainable finance, social advice, and corporate governance – by advising on leading green energy projects which help decarbonise South African industry.

Chris Green, a member of the firm’s ESG practice group, advised renewable energy solutions provider SOLA Group on the corporate aspects of its two 100 MW solar PV projects. The projects will generate power to help decarbonise Tronox Mineral Sands’ operations in South Africa and are among the largest private energy generation projects in the country.

To boost clients’ green knowledge, the firm launched an ESG Academy, which provides videos and podcasts on topics including climate change, green finance, sustainable procurement, and the energy transition; and an ESG Global Vision tool, which coordinates insights into international ESG-related regulations, laws, and standards. For the Global Vision tool, the firm has provided advice on South Africa’s green taxonomy, carbon tax act, and national environmental management act.

Globally, the firm is a signatory to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero, and a member of The Chancery Lane Project, which develops climate change-focused contractual clauses for firms to utilise. Through the Science Based Targets initiative, the firm has committed globally to both reduce 90% of its scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030 and become net zero by 2030, introducing a net zero strategy which currently prioritises the transition to renewable energy, sustainable procurement, and green real estate. To identify clear, impactful actions which can help reduce its internal carbon footprint, the firm certifies its responsible business policies through EcoVadis.