Independent Australian firm Maddocks’ dedicated climate change practice advises the full spectrum of clients from government departments and agencies to the private sector on issues ranging from climate change risk mitigation, due diligence, compliance and litigation to carbon footprint and supply chain issues, and net-zero commitments and action plans. The firm also assists developers with renewable and low carbon energy projects, and has expertise in greenhouse gas emission policies, management, reporting and disclosure.

Besides handling a significant number of solar and wind powered projects across Australia, the firm recently acted for the Australian Conservation Foundation in connection with their objection to the Stage 3 expansion of the Narrabri underground coal mine, which would contribute 455.6Mt of CO2 equivalent emissions to the atmosphere; the matter was led by Sydney-based planning and environment expert Patrick Ibbotson. Another recent client was the NSW Department of Planning and Environment regarding its response to the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry and the Commonwealth Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements after one of the worst bushfire seasons in the country’s history (2019-2020). The firm is also assisting numerous regional councils with projects to address water security as a result of climate change.

A founding member of sustainability association AusLSA, the firm aims to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment and local communities via various initiatives and awareness campaigns. It also actively seeks to influence public debate on environmental issues; recently it published its inaugural and largely publically accessible Climate Change Review which summarises developments in law and politics in an easily digestible manner.

Of note is also the firm’s development of a governance model to better articulate the manner in which governance systems can address individual behaviours which may undermine ESG initiatives; the model was presented in several seminars with the Governance Institute.