In the past, banks perceived the environmental and social issues associated with their client base as mainly a matter of credit risk, with direct exposure likely to arise only in the event that they were obliged to enforce security or if they otherwise became closely involved in management of a borrower’s business or property.

In March the 41 Equator Banks released a new version of the Equator Principles for consultation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - a UN mandated body which brings together 2,500 scientists from 130 countries - has published its latest assessment of the scientific evidence for climate change. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis builds upon three previous IPCC assessments and incorporates findings from the past six years.

Individuals can be personally liable for environmental, health and safety offences in most European jurisdictions. Is your business doing enough to manage the risks?

In its recent landmark decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have the authority to regulate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new automobiles and underscored the continued convergence of legal and climate change considerations.

Barker Review of Land Use Planning Kate Barker published the final report of her independent review of land use planning on 5 December 2006. It contained a number of recommendations for the Government.

The legislation granting the Mayor of London significant additional development control powers received Royal Assent last week.

The climate change debate moved to Africa both in body and in mind, for two weeks at the beginning of November, as Kenya hosted the latest UN Climate Change Conference, the theme of which was to be "Pulling together for our Planet".

The dangerous consequences of unchecked global warming have been paraded across our television screens and newspapers. To talk about the business opportunity that such a crisis may present is to some rather unsavoury.

Thousands of large businesses in the UK face a mandatory emissions trading scheme. The Government is now consulting on implementation proposals. How will your business be affected?

Incoming energy efficiency requirements for buildings - As concern about the effects of climate change grows, political attention is increasingly focusing on the question of how buildings can become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.

A guide to the basic principles of international emissions trading.