Green Guide Profile: Russell McVeagh

Full-service firm Russell McVeagh in New Zealand often advises clients on climate change and sustainable finance matters, and has experience with clean energy and carbon sink projects, as well as transactions involving the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Recently, the firm advised key client Genesis Energy on the establishment of a joint venture to develop solar farms which will deliver up to 500MW of solar capacity over the next five years, enough to power 100,000 households per year. The client also sought the firm’s advice in connection with the establishment of its Sustainable Finance Framework and $250m of sustainability-linked loans with Westpac, BNZ and MUFG which are all aligned with the Climate Transition Finance Handbook.

Another notable current highlight is the firm’s work advising KiwiRail on the acquisition of new ferries which use hybrid technology to make its operations more climate friendly; KiwiRail’s loan facility is the first shipping loan in the world to be certified by the Climate Bond Initiative (CBI).

Seeking to keep clients up to date with the latest developments in the renewable energy sector, the firm recently launched its Renewables Blog. Its most recent series focuses on the legal landscape for offshore wind in New Zealand. The team also contributes to thought leadership on environmental law issues more broadly. Allison Arthur-Young and Simon Pilkinton are co-authors of the climate change chapter in the resource management textbook Environment and Resource Management Law (7th Edition).


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