Clifford Chance LLP offers a comprehensive environmental law practice, advising on major energy and infrastructure projects, M&A and real estate transactions, ESG, and carbon trading. The team acts for both national and international clients and is known for its depth of expertise in environmental compliance, risk management, and regulatory frameworks. Nigel Howorth, head of the firm’s climate change and environment groups, is renowned for his work on complex environmental indemnities, environmental insurance policies, and international environmental cases, including matters involving oil pollution, nuclear programmes, and transboundary impacts. Adam Hedley brings deep experience in environmental compliance and projects issues, including pollution, decommissioning, remediation, and EHS permitting. Kirsty Souter advises on a wide scope of regulatory and environmental law, with a strong focus on climate change, carbon trading, and sustainability reporting.
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Key clients

  • Brookfield Renewables
  • Interconnector Ltd
  • Coalition for Rainforest Nations
  • Shell Plc
  • Citi
  • ED&F Man
  • Canon Europe
  • Coalition for Rainforest Nations
  • Medlog

Work highlights

Advised Citigroup Global Markets Limited on first bond linked to voluntary carbon units, which was issued by IBRD.
Advised CfRN and ITMO Ltd on how the results of actions taken by countries under the Paris Agreement Article 5 REDD+ mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by protecting their forests could be converted into Internationally Transferrable Mitigation Outcomes ("ITMOs") and traded under the international carbon mechanism established by Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

Nigel Howorth

Other key lawyers

Adam Hedley; Kirsty Souter