The Legal 500 Green Guide: EMEA 2023

Jens Naas-Bibow served as the sole lawyer appointed by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy to participate in an expert commission which sought to improve the transmission of renewable electricity, discussing the licensing process for power grid facilities, potential improvements to the grid connection process, and ways to optimise the development of the power grid.

The firm advised regional power company Sunnhordland Kraftlag on regulatory matters regarding the grid connection process for a new hydropower plant. Another client in the renewable sector is developer Nordisk Vindkraft Norge, which sought the firm’s advice on contractual and regulatory matters, and negotiations with landowners, regarding the Vardafjellet Vindkraftverk wind farm.

In a project which received state aid through the Enova fund (which supports emerging green energy technologies), the firm also advised power company Glitre Energi Produksjon on regulatory questions related to the development of an innovative emergency power supply facility utilising renewable energy at a new hospital.

The firm furthermore provides electricity retail business Fortum Consumer Solutions advice across electricity retail and consumer market issues, including recently handling litigation on the legality of retail contracts for the consumer electricity market 

The firm’s two lawyers, Naas-Bibow and Frode Støle, regularly impart their knowledge on the legal regime of Europe’s electricity market. They co-authored the Norway case-study chapter in Oxford University Press’ Capacity Mechanisms in the EU Energy Markets. 

Consciously minimising its internal climate footprint, the firm runs an entirely paperless operation, with most client meetings conducted virtually.

Supporting the energy transition platform InnoEnergy in raising and investing capital, the firm has advised on €1.5bn of fundraising and €200m of investments into battery storage, green hydrogen, and renewable energy innovations. The firm has wide experience in advising public and private clients with their investments in renewable energy projects, having assisted provincial development agency OOST NL with all legal and tax services related to their new energy transition, climate adaptation, circular economy, and biodiversity investment fund. 

The firm is also providing contractual, fiscal, and energy regulatory advice to support Verbrugge Terneuzen Terminals’ construction of one of the largest MW rooftop solar projects in the Netherlands, helping expand the renewable electricity capacity in Zeeland province. 

Marjolein Dieperink, Amsterdam-based head of the firm’s energy team, is a professor in Energy Transition and Climate Change at the VU University in Amsterdam and a member of the Energy Reinvented Community, where she recently organised a roundtable on community participation in renewable power projects.

The firm’s internal initiatives complement its client work toward a green transition. It provides pro bono legal services to The Ocean Cleanup, advising on permits, regulations, and contracts within their mission to eliminate the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

For example, the firm assists clients with innovative solutions which seek to decarbonise the transport industry. Dieter Veestraeten is acting for Tree Energy Solutions across commercial, real estate, and contract law matters; the company will utilise renewable energy sources to produce green hydrogen as fuel for the European transportation market.

Within the firm’s specialised environmental law team, Ciska Servais assisted INEOS Olefins Belgium with environmental assessments and applications for Project ONE. A €3bn investment, Project ONE will be the most eco-friendly ethane cracker in Europe, targeting carbon neutrality within ten years of its opening. The firm’s environmental work also includes challenging 3M Belgium on its liability and remediation duties concerning soil polluted with PFAs. 

In the renewable energy sector, the firm is continuing to advise wind turbine manufacturer Enercon on various legal aspects surrounding the installation of wind turbines in Belgium. For Sunvest, who build and operate solar parks with a focus on community participation and biodiversity preservation, the firm assisted with the incorporation of the client’s Belgian subsidiary and in the drafting of lease rights for the installation of PV panels.

Ruud De Houwer advises the Belgian Federal Government on diverse matters concerning the Belgian North Sea, including building an innovative ‘energy island’ in the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, which will connect a pipeline offshore wind project zone to the mainland.

Supporting the firm’s internal target of becoming climate neutral by 2040 at the latest, the firm’s Antwerp office is located in a BREEAM excellent-certified building. 

Thomas Svensen advised private equity firm HitecVision on the establishment of its first non-hydrocarbon fund, with €7bn in assets under management. The firm has since advised the client on the deployment of €540m in investments, including assisting with the formation of a joint venture with Italian energy major Eni, which seeks to invest NOK 20bn across renewable energy projects by 2030; and advising the client’s portfolio company Sval Energi on its investment in the Metsälamminkangas wind farm in Finland, which targets an average production of 400 GWh per year.

Supporting the municipal-level green transition, Rune Svoren acted for an investor consortium of HitecVision, Hafslund Eco, and Infranode on its acquisition of a 50% stake in Oslo’s district heating system; the firm then advised the municipality of Oslo on the transfer of its 50% stake to Haflsund Eco, with the network now operating as Hafslund Oslo Celsio. The firm also advised the municipality of Oslo regarding its investment in the carbon capture project at the largest waste-to-energy plant in Norway; with the plant being Oslo’s largest point source of CO2 emissions, the project is a vital decarbonisation goal for the municipality.

Jon Christian Thaulow, head of the firm’s energy and climate change practice, advised renewable energy developer Aker Horizons on the establishment and portfolio development of hydrogen production and solutions company Aker Clean Hydrogen.

The firm is partnered with HUB Ocean (formerly C4IR Ocean; established by the Aker group and the World Economic Forum), which seeks to facilitate ocean sustainability initiatives by creating tools for industry actors to share and access ocean data. It has also partnered with Trefadder, which offer carbon offsets to customers by planting and managing carbon-sequestering forests, and provides the company with pro bono legal advice.

In an ongoing matter, Emanuel Feinberg is advising Föreningen Greenpeace Norden against the Norwegian Government, with the client claiming that the award of oil and gas production licences in the Barents Sea violates the constitutional right to the environment, due to the licences’ environmental and emissions impact. The case, now brought before the ECHR, was the first to try the Norwegian constitutional right to the environment before the courts, and the first trying the legality of petroleum production licences.

For the WWF, the firm has reviewed the legality of the Norwegian government’s proposal to open a quarter of the Norwegian Continental Shelf for the extraction of mineral deposits, assessing whether this complies with existing environmental law and whether there was an erroneous procedure due to the lack of an environmental impact assessment.

A key client is rights-based rainforest protection organisation Rainforest Foundation Norway, which sought the firm’s pro bono advice on various matters; recent work for the client has focused on contract reviews.

Having calculated its CO2 emissions with environmental consultancy South Pole, the firm is now taking a data-driven approach to reducing its own footprint, promoting environmentally friendly modes of transport while switching to a green energy provider.

Notably, the firm has collaborated with law firms BAHR, CMS Kluge, and Wiersholm, establishing a green forum to share learning and expertise on internal green initiatives that support eco-friendly operations. It also supports the student climate organisation at the Faculty of Law in Oslo. 

Supporting the development of Norway’s offshore wind industry and the expansion of the country’s renewable electricity capacity, Roland Mörsdorf is assisting EnBW in establishing a joint venture with Norseman Wind for the €3.5bn development and operation of a 1400 MW offshore wind farm.  

In another highlight, the firm advised Hy2gen in relation to establishing a green ammonia facility in Norway, which, by producing 600 metric tons of green ammonia per day, helps supply the shipping industry with zero-carbon fuel. Within this matter, the firm advised the client on initial studies and designs, and the investment in the facility made by Trafigura and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. 

The firm is also acting for Nork Energi regarding its engineering contract with Aker Solution for the Norcems Carbon Capture Project, having provided the client advice and negotiation assistance for a related frame agreement with Aker Clean Carbon. The project, which captures CO2 from the Norcem Brevik cement plant, supports the decarbonisation of Norway’s emissions-intensive industries. 

Thomas Borch-Nielsen recently advised electricity and grid provider Hurum Energi on its joint investment, alongside Glitre Energi and Vardar, in the renewable energy and solutions investment company Campus Tofte. Campus Tofte will support the transition to green electricity in the Asker municipality, while seeking to create a local economy focused upon the green transition. 

Complementing the firm’s client work with thought leadership in the renewable energy sector, Stig Walle contributed to the Federation of Norwegian Industries’ report on delivery models for offshore wind, which supports the supplier industry in its transition to operating in the offshore wind market.  

The firm is committed to implementing and measuring environmental initiatives within its transition to becoming an eco-friendly business; it received a Eco-Lighthouse certification.

Christopher Sveen, head of the firm’s aquaculture, offshore and industry practice, is advising Aker Solutions on its EPCI contract within Equinor Energy’s Hywind Tampen project. The 88 MW floating wind power project, which will provide renewable electricity for the Snorre and Gullfaks oilfields, is pioneering the decarbonisation of the Norwegian oil and gas industry while facilitating the development of floating offshore wind technology. 

Jøran Sandvik assisted Eolus Vind Norge Holding with all legal aspects for the development of the 400 MW Øyfjellet Wind Farm, one of the largest standalone wind power plants in Norway. Within the mandate, the firm advised on a power purchase agreement with Alcoa, who will purchase all electricity produced to help decarbonise its aluminium production. 

The firm also advised Technip Energies on its investment in green hydrogen investment platform Hy2gen, which is developing a green ammonia facility in Norway to provide fuel for transport and industrial uses.

Demonstrating its experience in the renewable energy sector, the firm has contributed to the Norwegian Federation of Industries and Innovation Norway’s ‘Entry Programme Offshore Wind’, which provides offshore contractors wind power-specific learning and connections to help transition their businesses away from the hydrocarbon industry. 

The firm is also legal adviser to non-profit industry organisation Renewables Norway, which represents companies involved in the production, distribution and trading of electricity. For the organisation and its members, the firm assists in all legal aspects related to the renewables sector, particularly focusing on the legal framework for offshore wind on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Seeking to become climate neutral by 2025, the firm has introduced procurement from environmentally certified suppliers, reduced waste and paper consumption, and moved into a BREEAM-certified office in Oslo. 

For energy industry service provider TechnipFMC, the firm is assisting with all aspects of the Deep Purple pilot project, which is developing a system for producing green hydrogen using renewable electricity and storing it on the seabed. The firm is also advising utility company Varanger Kraft on their joint venture with Aker and industrial actors, which will develop and operate a large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production plant powered by electricity from the Raggobidda windfarm. 

Håkon Sandbekk, who heads the firm’s electricity & renewable energy practice, is a key contact in offshore wind, having advised a consortium of Agder Energi, HitecVision, Eni, and the Green Investment Group on its bid for the development and construction of offshore windfarms in the South North Sea zone. The firm is also acting for offshore windfarm developer Norseman Wind regarding its involvement in an EnBW-led consortium, which is aiming to secure one of the first offshore wind licenses in Norway and develop a 1400 MW offshore windfarm. 

In the onshore wind sector, a key client is windfarm Hamnefjell Vindkraft, with the firm advising on the consent application process for a second stage of construction seeking to upgrade the plant’s capacity to 120 MW. 

Liv Monica Stubholt, who leads the firm’s ESG group, has been appointed by the Norwegian government as a member of its Energy Commission, helping devise a sustainable energy future for the country. 

A member of the UN Global Compact, the firm is committed to limiting its impact on the environment and implementing verifiable sustainability-conscious strategies. It is Eco-Lighthouse-certified and also a member of the Grønt Punkt organisation, which promotes environmentally conscious procurement.

The firm has expertise assisting clients within the renewable electricity and storage industry. In one highlight, it is advising Småkraft with its acquisition of a 23 MW portfolio of hydropower plants and energy storage facilities from Bekk og Strøm and SV Vattenkraft. In the wind power sector, the firm’s renewable energy and infrastructure team assisted Odal Vindkraftverk regarding the construction of the 160 MW Songkjølen and Engerfjellet Wind Farm project. 

In an innovative mandate, the firm provided energy- and ESG-focused advice for FREYR, which is constructing a novel large-scale battery cell production plant to develop its clean, low-cost batteries for the energy storage and electro-mobility markets. 

For private equity fund HitecVision, the firm assisted with the establishment of ANeo, a renewable energy company jointly owned by the client and TrønderEnergi. Through the transaction, the client provides TrønderEnergi an investment capacity of up to NOK20bn to support the development of renewable energy, electrification, and energy-efficiency solutions. 

A UN Global Compact member and Eco-Lighthouse certified, the firm is committed to promoting and demonstrating its environmental efforts. In November 2022, the firm held its second annual Green week, hosting webinars on tax regimes in the hydropower and wind power sectors, and on sustainable finance. 

Having been carbon neutral in 2021 through carbon offsetting and the purchase of green electricity certificates, the firm is now working to reduce its CO2 emissions, preparing greenhouse gas accounts in accordance with the GHG Protocol to identify effective internal emissions-reduction measures. The firm’s internal green committee, ThommessenZero, has led initiatives including waste and consumption reduction, sustainable procurement, and the relocation of the Oslo and Stavanger offices to BREEAM Excellent-certified buildings. 

The firm regularly provides advice to AMBILAMP and ECOTIC, both Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) dedicated to companies’ proper management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in response to the legal requirements on producers and distributors of such equipment. Another key client is Befesa, a company specialising in the recycling of steel dust, salt slag, and aluminium waste, in connection with environmental matters across its six plants in Spain.

In an ongoing highlight, the firm is advising another PRO, SIGFITO AGROENVASES, on how to comply with their legal waste management obligations, particularly following the approval of Spain’s Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil for a circular economy, which introduces a new regulatory framework for extended producer responsibility.

Following the approval of Law 7/2022, the firm published a guide analysing the new legislation and organised an event in collaboration with the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) to discuss the impact and strategies to be followed to create a future economic model based on the circular economy. Additionally, the firm has published a number of thought leadership pieces discussing ESG principles.

The firm has also shown its commitment to sustainability by sponsoring the Climate Launchpad event, a European green business ideas competition for entrepreneurs.

Within the renewable energy sector, the firm served as sole legal advisor to Enova, the Norwegian state enterprise which manages aid schemes that stimulate the energy transition, assisting with the granting of funds and with electricity law issues. 

Another key client is the government of Iceland; Odd-Harald Wasenden provided input on Norwegian wind energy regulation, assisting the client with the development of a regulatory regime for the construction and operation of wind power. 

The firm also acted for renewable energy producer TrønderEnergi in HitecVision’s acquisition of 50% of the shares in the client’s wind power, energy management, energy services and hydropower business. The transaction, creating a joint venture between the two companies, will support renewable energy production and electrification across Norway. 

Demonstrating experience in alternative fuels, the firm advised Biokraft on the establishment of a 25m m3 liquid biogas plant, one of the largest of its type currently in operation, which will create vehicle fuel from the biomass waste of local fish-farming and paper industries.

A member of sustainability forum Skift – Business Climate Leaders, which unites climate-ambitious companies across Norway, the firm advises working committees and corporate clients on sustainable procurement, the energy transition, and potential climate-friendly operations within food production. The firm also provides pro bono regulatory advice to the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum.

Having been carbon neutral since 2019 through purchasing climate quotas from the EU ETS, the firm continues to lower its emissions by reducing paper and energy consumption, limiting travel, and moving its Oslo office into BREEAM Excellent-certified premises.

The firm also advises clients in the burgeoning hydrogen sector. Friedrich Gebert and his team (Luise Schüling, Hannah Düwel and Bernhard Gröhe) are the go-to advisors for Sunfire, a company which researches and produces electrolysers for the generation of green hydrogen, in all matters pertaining to regulation and contract negotiations.

Another area where the firm counts with deep regulatory knowledge is e-mobility, including in connection with charging station infrastructure. Mirjam Boche and Gebert are assisting Ionity on all compliance and public law issues. The client is a joint venture of the car manufacturers BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen which aims to build and operate a network of high-performance fast-charging stations for electric vehicles along Europe’s main transport axes. Dortmunder Energie- und Wasserversorgung also benefit from the firm’s expertise in this space.

Internally, the firm has retroactively offset all its emissions since 2020, analysed its CO2 footprint together with carbon management company Planetly (now OneTrust), and formed the Arqis Green Team, comprised of employees across the firm, to map out its emissions reduction strategy.

Head of the firm’s cross-disciplinary ESG practice group Alex McLean advised Greenlink on the development, construction, and financing of the 500 MW HVFC Greenlink Interconnector between County Waterford and Wales. The firm also advised MaresConnect on the funding of its proposed 750 MW electricity interconnector between Dublin and Wales.  

With expertise in assisting Ireland’s leading onshore wind development projects, Niamh McGovern advised ESB and Bord na Móna in the development and financing for Phase 2 of the Oweninny Windfarm, which will take the project’s installed capacity to 172 MW. 

Danielle Conaghan is supporting Corio Generation toward meeting the Irish government’s target of 7 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 by advising the client on all aspects of the development of the Sceirde Rocks 400 MW offshore wind farm. 

In an ongoing matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the firm is assisting with the development of policy for the offshore wind sector, alongside the consenting and administration of proposed offshore windfarms, including the 1000 MW Codling Banks project.  

A founding member of the Green Team Network within the Irish Funds industry, the firm helped create a forum to share knowledge and support companies into implementing green strategies internally. The firm was also involved in establishing The Chancery Lane Project’s Irish Chapter, helping develop green clauses which support climate action across corporate, finance, property, litigation, and construction law. 

The firm’s target to become carbon negative by 2025 has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative and is pursued through internal Energy Action Plans and investment in sustainable sequestration projects. The firm’s Dublin office has received both the ISO 50001 Energy Management certification and the LEED Platinum certification.

Maximilian Uibeleisen, who leads the firm’s German renewables practice, advised Adidas on its target to become climate neutral at its sites by 2025. Assisting the client’s commitment within the Science Based Targets initiative to transition to clean energy and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the firm advised on procuring a renewable energy provision and on a Europe-wide power purchase agreement.

Within the renewable energy sector, the firm also assisted Commerz Real’s KlimaVest Fund in entering a strategic partnership with EPC provider AMPYR Solar Europe for the development of a 200 MW solar PV pipeline in Germany. 

Another recent client was Vinci regarding the tender run by the German government for the construction and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure along national motorways and within regional areas. The matter facilitates the uptake of electric vehicles across Germany, helping decarbonise transport and promote sustainable choices.

The firm’s global Sustainability Hub supports clients in developing the expertise necessary for their decarbonisation strategies, with thought leadership including an ESG Matters podcast, focused on net zero and sustainability developments; an ESG financial impact assessment, featuring a contribution from the Frankfurt office; and a global interactive tool which helps investors navigate opportunities within the emerging hydrogen market.

As a member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, and The Chancery Lane Project, the firm aids the green transition of the legal sector through assisting with the development of green expertise and contractual clauses. Internally, the firm has submitted its Carbon Disclosure Project benchmark and created a global sustainability pledge, in which employees were asked to add their commitments to the firm’s decarbonisation target.

Italy

In Milan, Ashurst has a demonstrable strength in advising banks and corporate clients on financings for environmental protection and renewable energy projects. 

Carloandrea Meacci advised the European Investment Bank on a €49m financing to support Iniziative Bresciane’s project to enhance and restore 13 weirs and install 12 hydroelectric plants on the Arno river. The client’s financing will help create 10 MW of renewable energy capacity, restore the river’s water management infrastructure, and reforest adjacent areas, reducing the environmental impact of existing construction while preserving local biodiversity.

The firm also advised developer Cero Generation on two corporate PPA project financings for the construction of a 118 MW agrivolatic solar PV portfolio, supporting the client’s development of innovative, land-use-efficient renewable energy projects. The long-term PPAs will finance the 70 MW Pontinia project and 48 MW Castrum project and ensure the electricity produced supports corporate clients in their decarbonisation strategies.

Another key client is renewable energy developer and operator Aer Soléir, who sought the firm’s advice on a co-development agreement with renewable energy developer NRG+; the alliance will allow Aer Soléir to realise a potential 500 MW solar project portfolio. Within the mandate, the firm also assisted the client with the acquisition of a 50 MW solar PV development project from Horizonfirm, which will be co-developed with NRG+. 

Alongside its memberships in the Legal Sustainability Alliance and Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, the firm aids the green transition of the legal sector as a founding supporter of The Chancery Lane Project, assisting the initiative’s push to create legal contracts that enable solutions to climate change.

In 2022 the firm also submitted its Carbon Disclosure Project benchmark and created a global sustainability pledge, in which employees were asked to add their commitments to the firm’s decarbonisation target. 

Luxembourg

Ashurst has introduced sustainability taskforce representatives and advocates across its offices in order to make a positive impact on the green transition externally and internally. The Luxembourg office provides key expertise assisting financial institutions with their participation in sustainability focused investment funds.

The firm advised the Japan Bank for International Cooperation regarding its commitment as a partner to the Climate Finance Partnership Fund, which seeks to catalyse development assistance in emerging markets and consequentially mitigate climate change through maximising investments in renewable energy projects, energy storage systems, and transmission infrastructure. To boost the fund’s social and environmental impact, BlackRock aims to raise $4 of institutional capital for each $1 contributed by the client and fellow partners, targeting measurable results aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

To help financial services clients understand their growing ESG opportunities and prepare for the EU SFDR, the firm established an ESG Ready toolkit. The team has also created pertinent thought leadership, including an ESG Matters podcast focused on net zero and sustainability developments, and a global interactive tool which helps investors navigate opportunities within the emerging hydrogen market.

The firm is an active member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance and Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, which support the legal sector in developing the expertise and tools necessary to best decarbonise their internal operations and provide sustainability-conscious advice. The firm is also a founding supporter of The Chancery Lane Project, which seeks to create novel, practical, climate-focused clauses for firms to incorporate within their contracts.

Prioritising transparent, collaborative sustainability initiatives, in 2022 the firm submitted its Carbon Disclosure Project benchmark and created a global sustainability pledge, in which employees were asked to add their commitments to the firm’s decarbonisation target.  

Spain

At its Madrid office, Ashurst has a specialised practice handling financial and transactional mandates which support the utilisation and development of renewable energy across Spain.

The firm has demonstrable experience in the renewable energy sector. A key client is Hy24: Andrés Alfonso advised the hydrogen investment fund on its investment in a joint venture company with Enagás toward pursuing the production and commercialisation of biogas, hydrogen, and other renewable gas projects.

In the solar power sector, the firm advised energy developer ACS on the sale of a 100 MW solar PV portfolio to operator Sonnedix, supporting the continued delivery of renewable electricity to the Spanish market.

For real estate developer Culmia, the firm assisted with a €135.3m green financing for the development of 1763 affordable rented housing units within the Madrid Regional Government’s Vive plan. The project pursues the city’s social development goals in a sustainable manner, with the houses all targeting a high energy-efficiency rating and at least a BREEAM Very Good certification.

The firm also assists partnerships which aid the construction industry’s green transition, working with McKinsey’s Global Infrastructure Initiative to support the decarbonisation of the built environment, and drafting an EU green leasing white paper for the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Within the firm’s global energy transition thought leadership, the Madrid office provides regular updates on the development of renewable energy regulations and legal opportunities.

As a member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, and The Chancery Lane Project, the firm aids the green transition of the legal sector by assisting with the development of green expertise and clauses. Internally, the firm has submitted its Carbon Disclosure Project benchmark and created a global sustainability pledge, in which employees added personal commitments to the firm’s decarbonisation target.

In an ongoing highlight, key ESG contact Aleksandra Polak and Rafał Stroiński are advising Triggo, a Polish company whose activities focus on the construction of the electric city vehicle ‘Triggo’, on its IPO at the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Polak and Rafał Zięba also recently led the advice to Johnson Matthey regarding its agreement with Axpo Polska, which will provide renewable electricity to the client’s new factory in Konin. The factory will supply automotive platforms with automotive battery applications and will be fully powered by renewable energy from the outset. In another recent highlight, the firm advised a Chinese buyer on the acquisition of a portfolio of photovoltaic power plants with a total capacity of 51 MW.

The firm’s leading disputes practice is a signatory to the Greener Litigation Pledge, thereby committing to taking active steps to reduce the environmental impact of the practice.

In the thought leadership space, Polak was recently a speaker on a panel discussion regarding ESG reporting, and Luiza Wyrębkowska participated in a panel regarding the financial aspects of sustainable development, where she discussed topics such as green financing and the sustainable finance taxonomy.

In an ongoing highlight, Baldvin Bjorn Haraldsson and Antoine Lochet are advising the Icelandic Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate in preparing a report on wind energy legislation in Scotland, Norway, Denmark, and New Zealand. The report focuses on the regulatory aspects of wind energy transition and will serve as a guiding document for Iceland’s government in deciding how to create a legislation for wind energy in the country.

Haraldsson and Lochet are also advisors to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in creating law and regulation relating to the harnessing of geothermal reservoirs in Comoros, a country highly dependent on fossil fuels. The project aims to support an enabling environment for private sector participation in developing renewable energy in the region.

In January 2017, the firm published the Geothermal Transparency Guide, which provides an insight into the legal frameworks governing the exploration and production of electricity from geothermal sources across several countries. This is likely to contribute to an eventual international cooperation for the purposes of creating industry standards in this field. The firm is also in the process of launching a website that provides information on the legal framework for renewable energy resources in over 30 countries.

With the Danish Parliament deciding that CCS projects will play a key part in achieving Denmark’s climate policy objectives, the energy team led by Johan Weihe is assisting Vestforbrænding with its participation in the first CCS tender in Denmark, as well as in all legal aspects pertaining to the planning and construction of a major CCS facility in connection with a waste-energy-plant.

Co-head of the M&A practice, Simon Milthers, and the energy team act together on several transactions facilitating the energy transition, such as client KK Wind Solutions’ acquisition of the converter and controls business from Vestas Wind Systems A/S. The deal will strengthen the client’s global wind energy supply chain.

The team has also supported Tokyo Gas’ strategic expansion into renewable energy investment in Europe by advising the client on its 50% acquisition of and joint venture with Danish wind farm developer EWII A/S. The joint venture aims to develop more onshore wind farms in Denmark and expand the capacity in the Nordics to 1 GW by 2030.

Via the Bech Bruun Academy, the firm’s specialists share knowledge on sustainability and the green transition through seminars, courses, and events. Furthermore, the firm’s collaboration programme BB-Impact focuses on providing legal advice to sustainable start-ups which promote at least one of the UN SDGs.

The firm’s new head office located at the tip of Nordø in Copenhagen will be certified to a DGNB Gold standard.

The firm is at the forefront of the rapidly developing hydrogen market: Christine Dietz advised Siemens Energy regarding its acquisition of a shareholding in its subsidiary Siemens Energy Electrolyzer Manufacturing, which will be active in the manufacture of components for electrolysis systems for hydrogen gas production.

Emanuel Welten is a leading lawyer in sustainability-linked financing at the firm. In  2022 he advised Austrian Federal Railways in connection with ESG-linked loan agreements and registered notes with the combined value of €550m.

The team is also involved in public law and regulatory matters in the developing e-mobility market in the country, including for client ChargePoint Holdings. Notably, the firm is supporting the City of Vienna’s digital pilot and research project, a culture token app which incentivizes travelling via foot, public transportation or bike, allowing users to collect tokens in exchange for tickets to cultural events.

Internally, the firm grants employees access to its own e-bikes, encouraging the use of sustainable means of transport. Furthermore, as of 2020, the firm’s electricity supply has been sourced entirely from renewable hydropower and biogas, and all carbon emissions are offset through clean energy investments. 

A team led by Anne Cathrine Ingerslev represented European Energy on all legal aspects of the offering of €300m green bonds and the establishment of a €45m green revolving credit facility, which represent the largest corporate green bond transactions listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen to date. Ingerslev also assisted TDC Holding and its subsidiaries with several major transactions, including the initial issuance of €500m sustainability-linked notes under TDC NET’s EMTN Programme.

Lars Kongsgaard, who specialises in alternative investments in energy and infrastructure projects, and EU and competition expert Frederik André Bork are leading the advice to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in connection with the upcoming tender for North Sea offshore wind hub, the world’s first energy island. Once complete this will have a minimum 3 GW capacity with the potential expansion to 10 GW. The innovative technology will also dramatically lower the production costs of green energy and is a key component of the Danish Government’s commitment to leading the green transition.

In addition to its contributions to the green transition through legal services, the firm has collaborated with global consultancy Rambøll to map its direct and indirect emissions of climate gasses in a carbon report according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol with the aim of further reducing its own emissions.

The firm advised portfolio management company RGreen Invest on its creation of the NW Storm joint vehicle with NW Group and an associated €300m investment, which will accelerate and expand the deployment of EV charging stations and energy storage solutions.  

In the solar power sector, David Blondel advised retail banking network Crédit du Nord on the financing of the acquisition of three shade houses with solar panel rooftops; and a Crédit du Nord, Caisse d’Epargne Ile de France, BPI France, and NATIXIS consortium as lenders on a 25 MW portfolio of 252 operating and developing rooftop solar farms. The firm also advised financial institution Caisse d’Epargne CEPAC and renewable energy producer Arkolia Energies on its ‘Avalanche’ programme, which involved the financing of 213 rooftop solar farms and a 22.8 MW ground solar farm. For Credit Agricole du Languedoc, the firm assisted with the implementation of a revolving credit facility for Energie Developpement, a global renewable energy producer formed as a joint venture between Amarenco and TotalEnergies, to support the expansion of the solar buildings market. 

Jean-Pierre Delvigne is a key figure in thought leadership, having written articles both on the French PV contract regime and on state liability for environmental harm amid the worsening impacts of climate change, with the latter article co-authored by associate Maryne Gouhier.

Toward reducing its own environmental impact and carbon emissions, the firm has established a Sustainability Committee which identifies and manages internal initiatives. Key are the firm’s Sustainability Practices, directives which gather all personnel to support the green transition through measures like conserving water, waste, and electricity. The firm’s Paris office boasts a BREEAM Excellent certification.

Recently, Luca Jagmetti led the team in advising Kooky, a Swiss start-up focusing on replacing single-use with reusable products. The company developed an innovative intelligent reusable cup system with its own digital return infrastructure. In another recent highlight, led by Mariel Hoch, the team advised H2 Energy Europe and Phillips 66 on a 50-50 joint venture to set up and operate a network of hydrogen refuelling retail sites in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. The new company plans to develop approximately 250 hydrogen refuelling stations by 2026.

The team regularly contributes to thought leadership: ESG expert Vera Naegeli and key contact Marie-Cristine Kaptan recently co-wrote an article discussing new Swiss ESG due diligence and disclosure requirements. Kaptan also recently discussed liability for climate change risks at the 2022 Conference on Sustainability in Commercial and Financial Law.

Internally, the firm’s sustainability initiatives include avoiding business trips, promoting paperless work, financially motivating employees to use public transport, and providing electric charging stations. The firm is also committed to a sustainable recycling system, which includes recycling PET, batteries, and daily coffee grounds, part of which is converted into biogas and sent to households to generate heat and electricity, and part of which is sent to farmers in the region as organic fertiliser.

In summer 2019 the firm finished its project of creating a sustainable eco-system on a 2500m2 rooftop area in its Zurich office. The habitat is home to seven bee colonies, chickens, and spur-thighed tortoises.

The office was awarded the Silver Sustainability ranking by EcoVadis, which mirrored the office’s commitment to train employees on energy conservation and climate actions. Additionally, the office supports Graine de vie (Seed for Life), which offsets the ecological footprint from industrialised countries by planting hundred of hectares of trees each year in developing countries. In an ongoing highlight, the office’s real estate team is assisting SLRB – CityDev with an ESG project, driven by the need to both create more affordable housing in Brussels and have a zero-carbon emission development, counting with a common co-generation platform and solar panels.

Globally, the firm aims to keep clients updates about sustainable trends through its CMS Green Globe Initiative, launched in 2022. It also aims to keep clients ahead of the ESG regulatory framework by providing training sessions. Internally, the firm’s SDG-based environmental roadmap includes measurable goals which demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. These include avoiding, reducing, and offsetting its environmental impact, and carrying out pro bono work and donating to charities involved in supporting the environment. 

France

UN Global Compact signatory firm CMS counts on a specialised French team that often advises clients on sustainable finance matters.

In collaboration with the firm’s Spain office, the French team, led by Céline Cloché-Dubois and Alexandra Rohmert, recently advised Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy on the sale of a 3.9 GW portfolio of onshore wind projects worth €580m to SSE Renewables. The portfolio includes projects in France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. The team also recently assisted TKYB with its first sustainability bond worth €100m; it was issued under TKYB’s Sustainable Finance Framework, which is aligned with the International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, and Sustainability Bond Guidelines. At least 75% of the proceeds of the issue of the bond will be used to fund green projects.

In 2021, the firm formed a partnership with the French National Forest Office, planting 2.5 hectares of trees and offsetting 407 tonnes of carbon emissions. To measure its carbon footprint and set emission reduction targets, the firm will work together with D-carbonise, a provider of carbon footprint management services.

Firmwide measures include the launch of the CMS Green Globe initiative, a platform which aims to keep clients updated about trends and developments relating to sustainability. It also offers training sessions to clients, helping them stay ahead of the ESG regulatory framework.

South Africa

Multi jurisdictional firm CMS is a UN Global Compact Signatory, and counts on a specialised South Africa team that is at the forefront of the country’s renewable energy market.

Following president Ramaphosa’s announcement reforming the license limit for distributed generation projects from 1 MW to 100 MW in August 2021, Johannesburg-based Bridgett Majola and Kabelo Dlothi advised the Development Bank of Southern Africa on two novel 100 MW Solar PV projects, considered pioneer projects under the country’s new energy regulatory environment.

Globally, the firm counts on a SDG-based environmental roadmap, which includes measurable goals which demonstrate the firm’s commitment to sustainability. These include avoiding, reducing, and offsetting its environmental impact, carrying out pro bono work, and donating to charities involved in supporting the environment. Furthermore, for the second year in a row, in 2022 the firm organised a CMS Sustainability Month, an internal initiative aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues with a focus on the climate crisis.

Key individuals Tomasz Dobrzyński and Marcin Mucharski are currently advising SFW Energia on the construction of a biomass and alternative fuels combustion plant in the city of Gliwice. The pair is also assisting the same client with the construction of a thermal treatment installation for municipal waste in the city of Zduńska Wola.

Additionally, the firm is acting for a client in the energy sector concerning a project that aims to improve air quality through the use of waste heat, while assisting another client with a project that aims to supply heat and cold from a renewable energy source.

Outside of its client work, the firm’s team regularly gives guest lectures at the German Law School of the University of Wrocław on its activities and on environmental protection issues concerning renewable energy resources. 

In an ongoing highlight, the team is representing Egeres Energy across a number of areas, such as green and renewables incentive regimes, the development of solar, wind, and geothermal power projects, and environmental impact assessment reports. The firm also recently advised Turkcell Energy on the acquisition of 100% of the shares of renewable company Boyut Grup Enerji Elektrik Üretim İnşaat San. Ve, which owns and operates a green wind energy farm of 18MW in the Aegean region of Turkey. Other organisations which seek the firm’s ESG-related advice include CEECAT Capital, Rafinera, and Scoutium.

Alongside its advisory work, the firm has published a number of articles on various aspects of ESG, green finance, and the Green Deal, such as ‘Guidelines Applicable to Green and Sustainable Bonds in Turkey’, and ‘Turkey’s Next Step Towards a Greener Economy: Sustainable Finance Framework’.

In 2022, managing partner Gamze Çiğdemtekin Özer prepared an updated report for the KAGİDER Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey, where she established a Green Deal working group to raise awareness about the EU’s Green Deal, after having published a similar report in 2021. She continuously organises meetings and workshops to increase sustainability awareness among member corporations, while also delivering lectures and classes on climate change and sustainable development on a pro bono basis.

Dubai-based Stuart Ure, Alekhya Prakash, and Pearl Mahaga recently led the team advising the joint lead managers on Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation’s (APICORP) debut green bond issuance comprising $750m. According to APICORP’s Green Finance Framework, all projects funded from the proceeds of green bonds will be aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on renewable energy, green buildings, pollution prevention, and low carbon technologies.

In another recent highlight, the team advised Actis, a global investor in sustainable infrastructure, on two of the largest renewable energy projects in the Middle East and Africa, one relating to district cooling, and the other relating to wind and solar power.

The firm’s 2021 responsible business report sets out how it is going to build sustainability into its practices, and its newly created environment board has developed a strategy for achieving net zero by 2030. Furthermore, its new climate change policy aspires to actively move the firm away from working on matters where there is potential for adverse impact on climate change.

Since 2020, the firm has been providing clients with a series of ESG focused webinars – the European ESG Perspective Series. It also launched a new podcast series in 2021, The Climate Lawyer, which discusses topics such as the intersection of tech and climate, greenwashing, and ESG investing. Recent thought leadership pieces include a white paper discussing how banks can support a just transition through climate related finance, and a publication in collaboration with the World Economic Forum on delivering a trade and climate agenda.

The firm has also been involved in a number of sustainability-related pro bono initiatives. In the largest pro bono project of the firm’s history, it recently contributed to the UN resolution that recognises the universal human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment by surveying and researching the domestic laws of around 140 UN member states.

Head of the corporate group, Giulo Maroncelli, recently assisted Ortus Power Resources Italy with the terms and conditions associated with developing solar and wind projects. Senior independent counsel Francesco Novelli, who has over 40 years’ experience, especially in the project finance space, assisted Falck Renewables with its joint venture with BlueFloat Energy for the co-development of five offshore wind farms with an estimated capacity of more than 5GW. Together, Novelli and Maroncelli jointly acted for ERG Power Generation in the sale of Hydro S.r.l, owner of 527 MW of hydropower plants in operation the country.

A founding member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, the firm has successfully integrated ESG into its operations. Across all its jurisdictions, lawyers collectively provide more than 230,000 hours of pro bono work annually with one specific focus on climate justice and conservation. jhiog

Denmark

In Denmark, DLA Piper is a go-to firm for clients seeking advice on matters pertaining to renewable energy.

A team led by Per Vestergaard Pedersen is providing advice to the Greenland Government regarding hydropower operations in the country, including granting exploitation licenses and environmental regulatory issues, thereby supporting the country’s green transition.

In another cross-border matter, the group also assisted Faroese national power company ELFELAGIÐ SEV with its refinancing worth Kr. 2.4bn, which is to be used to support the Faroese Government’s green energy policy, including the ambitious goal for the Faroe Islands to be powered by 100% green energy by 2030.

Alongside its work for clients, the firm also seeks to raise awareness and improve education on climate change mitigation and adaptation. A team in Denmark developed training on the Aarhus convention and environmental justice.

The firm’s global commitment to sustainability is evident in its early signing of the UN Global Compact in 2013. It has since received ISO 14001 and 50001 certifications, and certification from the Carbon Trust. 

Hungary

Head of energy and procurement at DLA Piper in Hungary, Gábor Simon, is experienced in advising on a range of renewable energy projects. He is currently assisting Solin Energy with its cross-border virtual cPPA models for its PV plants under development in Hungary and Kosovo.

Péter Györfi-Tót, who heads up the Hungary finance, projects and restructuring group, also advises notable renewable energy clients with expertise in Hungarian energy regulation.

The firm also actively contributes to thought leadership on climate, environmental and ESG matters: In 2021, the Hungarian real estate practice launched its own green real estate podcast series led by Szilárd Kui and Gábor Borbély and in collaboration with the banking and finance group.

Regionally, the firm stands out as the only law firm in Europe to advise the European Commission, under two successive framework contracts, on contractual and regulatory aspects of the European Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations (EU ETS) and the Common Auction Platform.

Netherlands

DLA Piper in the Netherlands is involved in innovative green IT projects. Amsterdam-based IT, competition and privacy law expert Khaled Dadi is assisting Rabobank with the implementation of agroforestry carbon reduction schemes. This includes the launch of a new ‘Carbon Insights’ app which allows bank customers to track the carbon footprint of their purchasing patterns.

The firm is also involved in numerous high-value sustainable financing matters, such client Royal A-ware Food Group’s €400m ESG-linked financing provided by a syndicate of banks. jh

The construction group has a strong focus on renewables and is currently leading the multi-disciplinary advice to Hitachi Energy Sweden AB / Hitachi ABB Power Grid as one of the bidders in a consortium with Petrofac International (UAE) on the tender and construction of wind farms in the IJmuiden Ver wind energy area forming part of the Netherlands 2030 Offshore Roadmap with a combined capacity of 4 GW.

Globally, the firm publicly discloses its environmental impact through the CDP disclosure system and has committed to reducing absolute emissions across all SBTi scopes by 90% by 2040, and in the short term has an SBTi goal to cut scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 from 2019 levels.

Spain

DLA Piper set up its multidisciplinary ESG group in Spain in 2020. The team stands out for its assistance with the bidding and acquisition process of high-value renewable projects.

Juan Gelabert Chasco leads the firm’s advice to Aquilla Capital on several renewable projects, including the acquisition of a 1200 MW portfolio of 24 PV plants under development in Spain. In another recent matter, head of Spain’s corporate practice José-María Gil-Robles and her team advised Shell on its potential acquisition of several PV plants and wind farms across Spain with around 2.5 GW output.

Internal best practices from across the firm’s global operations include a commitment to sourcing 100% electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, up from 61% at present, and cutting supply chain emissions by 25%, also by 2030.

Norway

In Norway, DLA Piper’s renewable energy team is comprised of go-to advisors covering a range of client needs in the sector. The team was further strengthened in 2021 with the addition of Siren Skalstad Ellensen, who has extensive M&A experience within the renewables sector. Clients also benefit from the firm’s presence across all Nordic countries.

In a current highlight, Skalstad Ellensen and Kaare Oftedal are advising MEAG on its proposed investment of €480m in a wind portfolio with a combined capacity of 258 MW.

Globally the firm has partnered with the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance of which it was a founding member. It is also a founding member of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers and has partnered with Carbon 13 to support start-ups with a focus on reducing carbon emissions on a pro bono basis.

One of the pillars of the firm’s pro bono efforts across the Nordics is to support climate justice and conservation. The firm also provided pro bono assistance to the Boards Impact Forum, the Nordic chapter of the Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, whose purpose is to engage board directors in the Nordics and internationally to accelerate climate actions and innovation for sustainable business. The advice centred around the setup of the organisation and directions on development.

The duo is also aiding the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (currently the Clean Hydrogen Partnership), which was established by the European Commission, in a study to examine the development of a hydrogen economy in ports and industrial coast areas. Additionally, Vanherck has prepared a study for OVAM with legislative proposals to amend the EU Waste Frame Directive to include more waste prevention measures. This study could potentially have a major impact on the European legislation relating to circular economy.

At a global level, the firm aims to contribute to the Paris Agreement goals through WorldClimate, an initiative to achieve net-zero emissions within the firm by 2030. Commitments include reducing the firm’s scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% and achieving 100% energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Furthermore, the firm has offered a number of legal conferences and seminars covering ESG related topics, including new green taxes and carbon border adjustment mechanisms. It has also published several publications around new environmental regulations, such as the incorporation of ESG criteria into investments.

Spain

Deloitte Legal counts with a specialised Spanish team that stands out for its work with renewable energy projects. Recently, Ignacio Echenagusia and Maria Guinot led the Spanish team advising Kobus Partners in the sale of a portfolio of several photovoltaic projects with a total capacity of 36,8 MW to Sonnedix, a renewable energy group. It also advised Kobus Renewable Energy on the acquisition of three greenfield photovoltaic projects from Esparity Solar, with a total power of 250 MW. In another recent highlight, the firm represented Baywa in the acquisition of a portfolio of 11 PV development projects with a capacity of over 700 MW in Spain, representing one of the largest portfolios available in the Spanish market.

In 2022, the Spanish office approved its local WorldClimate strategy, streamlining different actions to be taken by the firm’s offices globally, in order to achieve its net-zero objectives, namely, reducing the firm’s scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% and achieving 100% energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Internally, the firm has implemented a number of sustainable measures, such as the withdrawal of all single-use plastic cups across its Spanish offices, providing staff with reusable cups and bottles instead.

Key contacts Slobodan Doklestic, Milos Pandzic, and Aleksandra Stojanovic continue to advise Slovak company Megawaste in relation to their investment in the development of five biomass power plants. In another ongoing highlight, the firm is acting for Extra Watts regarding the establishment of an e-scooter sharing service in the city of Belgrade, which would contribute to reducing the current air pollution levels in the region. The firm is also providing ongoing legal advice on a range of matters to Polygreen, a network of companies offering integrated circular economy solutions internationally and aiming to shape human environmental consciousness through purpose-built education.

The team continues to publish articles concerning a green transition in the country, including a recent piece discussing wind farm actions in Serbia, and an analysis examining draft regulations supporting renewable energy production in Serbia, written by Dragan Gajin.

Madrid-based key contact Victor Moralo continues to lead the advice to Greenpeace on a case brought by the NGO and other Spanish ecological groups before the European Commission against the Spanish state for failure to meet the EU’s reuse and recycling targets. In another ongoing highlight, Moralo is advising the citizens’ platform ILP Mar Menor on the parliamentary processing of the proposition of law for the recognition of Mar Menor lagoon, one of the largest coastal lagoons in the western Mediterranean, as legal personality. This decision could represent a milestone for environmental law in the European Union, as it would recognise the fundamental and inalienable rights of nature to exist and develop as an ecosystem worthy of protection in itself.

The firm also demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through a number of internal and external initiatives: All of the firm’s offices collaborate with recycling companies in the purchase of office supplies and maintain active recycling and waste management policies. Aditionally, the firm’s Las Palmas de Gran Canarias office collaborates with Terra Incognita Docs, a company which produces documentaries about the environment to raise awareness among viewers.

Under the firm’s EU Green Deal Center of Excellence, it provides advice around EU Green Deal policies, including on carbon pricing and decarbonisation strategies. Furthermore, under its EY Center for Climate Policy, it advises governments which are setting up domestic climate regimes, and business entities which are subject to carbon pricing systems and active players on voluntary carbon markets.

At the request of an independent statutory body advising on climate change, Kasia Klaczynska Lewis, who heads up the energy, sustainable development and climate change team, together with Dariusz Kryczka and Malwina Burzec conducted a review of the assessment principles for international offsets in the context of the Paris Agreement. The review provides advice on the principles and criteria to be applied to the use of international offsets and specifies the offsets which could be eligible. Lewis also acted for the European Commission in connection with advice to a group of major Polish airports regarding the building of skills necessary to calculate their carbon footprint and prepared a proposal of policy measures related to the commitment of CO2 emissions reduction at the airports.

Of note is also the firm’s recent collaboration with the Harvard Law School Center on the 2022 General Counsel Sustainability Study, which analyses how law departments are responding to the rising importance of sustainability issues.

The corporate team regularly consult on environmental law, advising a multitude of clients on compliance with EU and Turkish legislation including those under the Circular Economy Action Plan, closely monitoring changes and developments. Clients include, Teknika Plast Teknik Kalıp Plastik San. ve Tic A.S., Maysan Mando Otomotiv Parçaları San. Tic. A.Ş, and Çimtaş Group. Ongoing wastewater management advice for Sınırlı Sorumlu Yeşil Çevre Arıtma Tesisi İşletme Kooperatifi (“Green Environmental Treatment Plant Operation Cooperative”)  is led by Günsel Dede.

Riga-based Sandis Bertaitis and senior associate Arturs Caics are representing Satini Energo LM, a company developing and managing a biomass CHP plant with a total capacity of 3.4 MW, in proceedings against The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia and others regarding amendments to the regulation of the feed-in-tariff for CHP plants. If successful, the matter could provide positive contribution to the renewable energy sector in Latvia by preventing state institutions from implementing restrictions on support mechanisms for renewable energy projects.

The duo is also assisting SIA Rigas Energija with several legal matters. The client, a company focusing on renewable energy production, is developing and operating a CHP plant which uses woodchips to generate electricity and heat.

In Riga, the firm has also been actively cooperating with the green energy umbrella organisation Latvian Renewable Energy Federation (LREF), which unites non-governmental renewable energy associations, supporting LREF with its establishment as an NGO, as well as with several legislation and policy making proceedings concerning renewable energy production regulations.

Outside of their client work, Bertaitis and Caics regularly contribute to thought leadership in the renewable energy space with their publications and commentaries regarding case-law.

Besides implementing various internal environmental best practices, the firm also demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by organising a World Cleanup Day.

Lithuania

Baltic law firm FORT regularly advises clients on environmental, energy and infrastructure projects. Its Lithuanian team stands out for its work assisting organisations with becoming more sustainable and complying with environmental regulations.

In an ongoing highlight, Emilis Cicenas is advising Circle K, a leading convenience store and gas station operator, on reducing its environmental footprint by employing solar power capacities and complying with national biofuels regulations.

Cicenas also recently acted for Elmoris, a leading manufacturer of lug caps, in a range of legal matters. Elmoris produces lug caps in an eco-friendly manner as a result of thermoplastic materials (TPE); the sealing compound used in manufacturing the product and its utilisation does not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere. The firm helped the client enter a PPA for 12 years and advised on the installation of solar panels on its manufacturing plant.

Internally, the firm has implemented various environmental best practices and has also recently organised and involved its staff in a World Cleanup Day.

Francois Joubert advised DRDGOLD – which rehabilitates sterilised mine land for agricultural, urban, and industrial uses, thereby improving the local environment while facilitating economic and social development – on environmental and regulatory requirements, and on the client’s sustainability and circular-economy strategy. Also within the environmental solutions sector, the firm is experienced in advising on the regulatory requirements and implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Policy and Scheme. 

Assisting Nedbank and ABSA Bank as lenders in the portfolio financing of five wind energy projects, the firm provided advice on financing and environmental considerations. As one of the largest single renewable energy financings in Africa, the project, targeting a 700 MW capacity, will support the expansion of South Africa’s renewable electricity provision. 

The firm is also active in advising on renewable energy projects within the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP). Key individuals include managing partner for South Africa Blaize Vance and co-leader of the firm’s global energy and climate group Ashen Jugoo.

Through its ‘Project Tomorrow’ programme, the firm is committed to making a positive impact through implementing internal ESG strategies. Having established a Green Team within the office to work specifically toward reducing internal greenhouse gas emissions, the firm has since worked with expert consultants to assess and reduce its environmental footprint. Toward attaining its emission-reduction objectives, the firm has installed solar panels which meet the energy demand at its Johannesburg office.

The firm is involved with a number of clients facilitating the green transition in the transportation industry.  In the automotive sector, Markus Kajaba and his team currently represent Micro in connection with the launch of the Micrlino across Europe, the electric, micro-car which uses 65% less energy than conventional electric cars. Michael Hecht and Josef Peer assisted ÖBB Infrastruktur AG with the expansion of the railway line in Unterinntal which will reduce dependency on cars.

The sustainability committee is a cross-departmental team which establishes concrete goals to guide everyday operations along a green trajectory. In support of the expansion of PV projects in Austria, the firm provides information on location-specific building requirements and permit obligations through an app. This is shared with the City of Vienna. It also promotes local biodiversity in Austria’s Waldvierel region as a partner of MIELO which frees agricultural land from pesticides, funded through sustainable bee-friendly honey production. In addition, the firm is at the forefront of ESG thought leadership with partners including Florian Kranebitter and Josef Peer regularly participating in industry talks and seminars on the topic.

The team regularly supports different clients in various sustainability-related financings. Founding partner Alexandru Bîrsan advises co-lead investor Planet First Partners on its €109m investment in Sunfire, the most significant equity raise of a green-hydrogen-focused private company to date. Alexandra Manciulea and Ioana Roman assisted a syndicate of banks with their €127m financing to Green Group, the largest integrated waste recycling group in Central Europe. Another key client is Magnet Developments, which sought the firm’s advice on the negotiations surrounding a €22m facilities agreement for the development of a green, award-winning housing project located outside of Bucharest.

The firm is also involved in legislative advice to major clients in the e-mobility sector and supports the development of multiple large-scale wind farms in Romania.

Sergiy Oberkovych, Valentyn Gvozdiy, and Oleksandr Melnyk are advising KBPP Management, which proposes to develop one of the largest bio power plants in Ukraine, in two ongoing highlights: firstly, on a $130m value matter regarding the tender for the selection of the new EPC contractor for the development of the large scale biomass power plant in the Khmelnytsky region, and secondly, on challenging the refusal of the state architectural inspection to issue construction permit for a plant.

Oberkovych and Melnyk are also advising TIU Canada on matters related to the export of green energy from Ukraine to Europe, and the firm’s real estate practice is providing legal assistance to BIE, an international investor in alternative energy projects, on matters related to the purchase of sunflower oil production facilities in Ukraine.

Due to the firm’s focus on the energy sector, it is in regular dialogue with Ukrainian and European energy regulatory authorities, offering suggestions to the government on how to address issues in the country’s renewable energy industry.

Internal initiatives involve introducing an e-invoicing system which significantly reduced the firm’s printing needs, environmental awareness projects involving clients, business partners and employees, and the publication of thought leadership pieces, such as a recent article on climate change litigation under the firm’s Energy Alert newsletter.

The firm continues to advise some of Spain’s main recycling and waste management systems, supporting them in the formulation of draft legislation. These include Ecoembes, an environmental organisation engaged in the recycling and eco-design of containers; Ecovidrio, a non-profit responsible for managing glass recycling waste; and Sigaus, a CSR body active in the recycling of electronic, electrical, and non-ferrous metal waste. Additionally, the firm is currently developing a draft regulatory framework for the incorporation of new EU regulation on water reuse.

Head of environment Pedro Poveda has previous experience in the public sector; he was General Subdirector of Regulations in the Ministry of the Environment until 2022. He was also the director of the Instituto Nacional de Administracion Publica (INAP)’s advanced course in environmental law aimed at civil servants in Spain, and is currently finalising his PhD with his thesis on the legal regime of integrated packaging waste management systems.

Eduardo Orteu, who specialises in water law and sustainable development, also seved at the Ministry of Environment for more than 19 years, with an additional seven years’ experience at the Spanish Water Directorate.

Another key team member is Santiago Garrido, who specialises in environment, energy, and climate change.

A team including Christoph Strelczyk advised Terra Kapitalverwaltung on the launch of an SFDR-compliant fund for the development of a sustainable new urban quarter.

Donner & Reuschel seeks the firm’s advice on ESG compliance regarding its products and services, including the development of existing asset management and adjustments to client documentation to facilitate more sustainable client choices. The client is able to draw on managing partner Oliver Glück and financial regulation partner Philippe Lorenz’s key expertise.

In support of the advancement of e-mobility in the country, Jan Henning is representing Tesla in landmark proceedings against the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) relating to the incentivisation of e-vehicles through the ‘environmental bonus’ (Klimabonus) scheme.

In 2022 the firm published its first sustainability report after working with an external sustainability consultant, and hosted its first ‘Sustainability Day’ with expert speakers on the topic.

It has worked closely with the Malta Resources Authority (MRA) on international projects involving aspects of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Members of the firm are also involved in the executive committee of MEEREA, a Maltese NGO which promotes discussions on energy-related issues, particularly on sustainable energy policies that emphasise energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.

The firm has assisted several financial market participants with the preparation of their regulatory disclosures under the EU taxonomy regulation and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Directive (SFDR). Furthermore, due to Malta’s geographical location, the firm has developed expertise in assisting shipowners with the recycling of ships.

The firm’s key individuals regularly publish articles relating to sustainability: Recently, Nikolai Lubrano authored ‘The E in ESG as The Focus of Recent Regulatory Initiatives’; Jotham Scerri-Diacono published ‘Malta’s Role in Ship Recycling and its Impact on Environmental Protection’; and Nico Fauser wrote a piece titled ‘Captive Insurance – A Tool for ESG Strategy’. 

Internal sustainability measures notably include the installation of 30 solar panels in its Valletta office in response to an environmental audit carried out by an independent third party. Besides replacing all its electrical fixtures with energy-efficient LED lighting, the firm takes advantage of an old well which collects approximately 250,000 cubic liters of rainwater annually to provide water for its lavatories and hand basins during the winter months. In March 2022, the firm also launched an e-bike sharing programme promoting a cultural shift towards cycling, and purched e-bikes to be used by staff.

Key contacts José Miguel Pinillos and Raúl Suárez Pascual recently co-led the advice to FCC Aqualia regarding a €1.1bn syndicated green corporate loan, which will be used to finance and refinance eligible green projects, such as water and waste treatment, water distribution and storage, renewable energy and sustainable transport. In another recent highlight, Pinillos and Javier Marzo assisted Idalia Capital with a €750m fund compliant with article 9 under the SFDR, which will focus on energy transition assets, specifically those that clearly contribute to the achievement of the energy transition objectives in Spain and the EU.

Internally, the firm’s Eco-Efficiency Plan is a roadmap to more responsible consumption, more sustainable spaces, and a lower carbon footprint. In 2022 the firm compensated for all its emissions of scopes 1 and 2. Additionally, all its paper comes from responsibly managed forests (FSC and PEFC certified), and 100% of the energy it consumes in the EU is guaranteed to be from renewable energy.

The firm is a part of the Climate Ambition Accelerator, an educational programme run by the UN on emissions reduction and science-based goals. It also regularly publishes articles discussing environmental matters as well as monthly newsletters focusing on the most relevant legal news on ESG matters in Spain.

Current work highlights include advising NBT on the acquisition of an 800MW portfolio of wind projects in the country, and acting for Shinkun&Binui regarding the potential acquisition of five wind farm projects and one solar plant project in Vojvidina with a total installed capacity of the plants of over 400MW.  Another client is Integrites in connection with a potential 25MW renewable energy investment in Serbia.

The specialised team regularly takes part in ESG events, deliveres lectures, and contributes to publications. Branko Gabric recently published an article discussing the world’s first carbon border tariff, and the firm’s founding partner Bogdan Gecić took part in a webinar discussing new EU ESG regulation. Nemanja Sladakovic participated in a panel discussion on measuring sustainability and sustainability reporting at an event organised by the Responsible Business Forum, of which the firm is a member and pro bono partner.

As part of its internal ESG strategy, the firm expanded its online work and meetings, cutting paper consumption by 90% and reducing its travel-related carbon footprint.

Recently, the firm advised Polsat Plus Group on the planned acquisition of Polish energy group ZE PAK’s green assets by media and telecoms company Cyfrowy Polsat, adding green energy to the group’s other strategic pillars of media and telecoms. The planned investments in the development of clean energy exceed PLN1.6bn and would enable generation capacity to reach 100 MW and significantly contribute to the value chain of an economy based on hydrogen. The team also recently acted for ZE PAK regarding the establishment of a joint venture with Ørsted in order to participate in permitting and construction procedures for wind farms in the Baltic Sea.

Other recent work includes advising PAK-Polska Czysta Energia on the acquisition of two wind farms, one based in the Człuchów municipality and the other located in the Przyrów municipality.

The team regularly contributes to thought leadership in the ESG space. Pancer has authored a number of publications on ESG-related topics, including articles on decarbonising the construction industry and on green building standards. She has also participated in various events concerning environmental protection, such as the Polish Construction Law Congress event on waste management in the implementation of construction projects. Kuc regularly contributes to the firm’s Environmental, Social & Governance alert, which provides a monthly summary of ESG developments.

The firm’s Warsaw office is located in the Varso Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings to be awarded the highest level of BREEAM interim certification.

The firm has wide experience assisting clients with pioneering solutions for the reduction of plastic waste. In an ongoing matter, the firm is providing Správca zálohového systému with comprehensive legal support in the establishment and implementation of the multi-billion-euro deposit return scheme for beverage packaging in Slovakia. The client, commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, is the sole administrator of the scheme in Slovakia.

The firm has also been actively advising on the development of alternative, sustainable packaging materials; a client in this space is PANARA, which specialises in the research, development, and production of fully biological and biodegradable plastics, regarding an investment made by circular economy-focused packaging specialist ALPLA Group.

Czech Republic

HAVEL & PARTNERS s.r.o., attorneys at law was the first law firm in the Czech Republic to join the UN Global Compact and accordingly embeds key principles of sustainability into its practice, advising clients on emerging green opportunities. The firm established an ESG team to provide clients focused advice on sustainability-related requirements across environmental regulations and liabilities, renewable energy regulations and project development, and green finance.

Recently, the firm advised municipal body Technologie Hlavního města Prahy on its transaction with electricity distributor PREdistribuce, whereupon the future renewal of Prague’s public lighting system will ensure selected lamps have sufficient power supply to serve also as electric vehicle charging points, thereby supporting the transition to electric vehicles within the city.

The firm also advises clients in connection with the development of renewable energy. For Arbol Capital and Dracanus Group, the firm assisted with the acquisition of three hydropower plants in order to secure a green provision of electricity for the client’s development projects. Jan Topinka, a member of the firm’s dedicated ESG team, acted for renewable energy developer and operator Solek Group on two programmes of green bonds worth CZK5.5bn to finance the development of solar PV plants in Chile and the EU.

To help Plant-for-the-Planet establish itself in the Czech Republic, the firm provided the client with pro bono legal advice; the organisation seeks to plant one trillion trees through educating youth, working with companies, and crowdfunding reforestation programmes in developing countries. 

Outside of specific mandates, the team regularly contributes articles in the firm’s magazine, supporting clients on green queries including on topics such as ESG reporting. 

The firm is a founding member of emissions-tracking platform Climate & Sustainable Leaders Czech Republic, which supports the reduction of the carbon footprint of the Czech economy by motivating and assisting companies to transition to sustainable modes of operation.

The team has a strong foundation advising in the wind sector and has expanded its expertise across a range of renewable technologies.  Björn Nykvist recently advised VSB group on the sale of the Karahka and Juurakko wind farms with a combined installed capacity of 190 MW.  The firm also offers pro bono assistance to industry bodies such as the Finnish Wind Power Association.

In the solar segment, Marius Af Schultén is assisting Danish solar developer Better Energy with legal matters associated with its expansion into the Finnish solar market. Notably, the firm also advises Vantaa Energy regarding tendering, contractual, permitting and zoning issues concerning the development of the world’s largest underground seasonal thermal energy storage facility.

In its new ESG policy, the firm commits to working with external parties to promote sustainable infrastructure and a sustainable city environment in Helsinki. Part of its pro bono portfolio is also its support of Port 2.0 Oy, a start-up developing an innovative maritime solution which will reduce harmful emissions and electrify ports through renewable energy, through fundraising and gratuitous legal advice.

Within the renewable energy sector, a key client is offshore developer SolarDuck. The firm provided regulatory and contractual advice in the client’s provision of its floating solar technology as part of energy company RWE’s bid for the offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust West. 

Key individual Bart Wolters, who handles corporate matters within the firm’s ESG team, advised insect-based ingredient manufacturer Protix with a €50m funding round in equity. The funding supports the client’s expansion as it works to create a circular food system with a low ecological footprint. 

Another client is renewable energy-focused investment and asset manager Taaleri, whom the firm advised in its investment into ecological packaging company Colombier. The investment was the first made by the client’s bioindustry fund, which is compliant with Article 9 of the EU SFDR and will invest in facilities and companies toward accelerating bioindustry production. 

Also within the green innovations space, the firm advised Ioniqa Technologies, which have developed a process to infinitely recycle low-grade PET waste and consequentially replace oil-based raw materials in PET polyester production, on the investment offered by Koch Technology Solutions to scale-up the development of the innovative process.

Pro bono assistance and internal initiatives are a firm part of the team’s commitment to add value to society. As a founding member of Pro Bono Connect, the firm has extended free legal advice to NGOs including Greenpeace International. As a member of EY’s Law Network, the firm also participated in the ‘Ripples’ programme, which partnered it with climate-action initiative Life Terra to plant trees across the Netherlands.

In a matter co-led by Maria Landtman, Tapio Teräkivi and Klaus Metsä-Simola, the team is advising state-owned enterprise Metsähallitus (which administers state-owned land and water areas) on the Korsnäs offshore wind power development project consisting of 70-100 turbines with an expected total capacity of 1300 MW. In another recent highlight, Landtman and Caroline Lefort Ahokanto led the team in advising renewable energy developer OX2 in respect of plant construction contracts for a portfolio of onshore wind projects in Finland, with a total capacity of 154 MW. Previously, the firm also acted as counsel to OX2 regarding the construction of a 455 MW wind firm in Lestijärvi, Finland, representing one of the largest wind farms in the country.

The Finnish team often publishes thought leadership pieces relating to sustainability, such as recent articles on renewable hydrogen production and hydrogen investments by Julia Ranta and Meri-Katriina Pyharanta.

Firmwide environmental policies include calculating the firm’s carbon footprint on a yearly basis and compensating for its emissions through a Sidrap wind farm project in Indonesia.

Sweden

In Sweden, Nordic firm Hannes Snellman counts with a team experienced in advising clients on renewable energy and decarbonisation matters.

In a matter led by Johanna Wärnberg and others, the team is currently advising InfraVia Capital on the acquisition of a 175 MW wind farm in Björkvattnet, Sweden, and on the subsequent €133m debt financing for the construction and operation of the wind farm. The wind farm will generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 175,000 homes in the country. Additionally, in another recent highlight, the team advised Schaeffler, a leading global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors, with its investment in the Swedish green impact company H2 Green Steel, which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the steel industry through green hydrogen.

Since 2020, the firm has been a member of the UN Global Compact Network. At a multi-jurisdictional level, its internal environmental policies include calculating its carbon footprint on a yearly basis and compensating its emissions through Gold Standard projects.

The firm also supports a number of organisations through its pro bono work, including assisting WWF in its aim to help people live more sustainability and act against climate change.

In an international matter led by Ernst Müller, the ESG team advised the Green Hydrogen Organisation on its Green Hydrogen Contracting and Green Hydrogen Standard initiatives. For the contracting initiative, the firm assisted with drafting and reviewing briefing papers concerning policy and regulatory developments, financing, and sustainable development. For the standard, the firm reviewed the universal code which would be used as a certification by hydrogen-producing companies. Together, the initiatives will help authenticate the eco-friendly claims of green hydrogen producers and support future legal regimes that regulate the fuel’s production and consumption.  

The firm has demonstrable experience advising on corporate and project financing elements within South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP), which seeks to expand the country’s electricity capacity through private-sector investment in renewable energy. Pursuant to the REIPPP, the firm advised EDF Renouvelables and EDF Renewables South Africa on the building of three wind farms, and Scatec Solar as EPC provider in their successful bids for a 273 MW solar portfolio, under which the client will sell all power produced through a twenty-year PPA. 

Having established a commitment to become net zero by 2030 within its global sustainability strategy, the firm has certified its near-term reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative and verified its footprint data through the Carbon Disclosure Project.

In an effort to help share best practice, build lawyers’ capacity to support the green transition, and reduce the environmental impact of legal work, the firm is a member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, Legal Sustainability Alliance, and Campaign for Greener Arbitrations.

France

In Paris, UN Global Compact member Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a strong sustainable finance practice. Its portfolio of major transactions recently included advice to customer service company Teleperformance on its inaugural issuance of €500m of sustainability-linked bonds, with the interest rate linked to reductions of their carbon emissions.

The firm is active in advising leading aerospace industry clients on sustainable financing matters, crucial to supporting the sector’s decarbonisation strategies. Highlights include assisting Safran with the negotiation of a €2bn ESG-linked syndicated revolving credit facility agreement and handling the negotiation of an €8bn sustainability-linked revolving credit facilities agreement for Airbus.

Notable individuals at the Paris office offer their expertise within the dedicated specialisms of the firm’s global, cross-practice ESG team. Within the cross-office Sustainable and Green Finance team, Louis de Longeaux is a key contact, while in the core Climate Change practice, Mathias Dantin provides experience on major energy deals which help corporate clients further their decarbonisation strategies.

Key to the firm’s offering is the provision of guidance notes, commentary, and legal updates through its ESG Transformation Hub, which produces podcasts, webinars, and development trackers across regulatory change, activism, reporting, and decarbonisation. 

Within its global sustainability strategy, and supporting its commitment to become net zero by 2030, the firm certified its near-term reduction targets with the Science Based Targets Initiative and verified its footprint data through the Carbon Disclosure Project. 

As a member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, Legal Sustainability Alliance, and Campaign for Greener Arbitrations, the firm has helped share knowledge and best practice to improve green expertise while reducing the environmental impact of legal work. 

An example of the firm’s international pro bono clients is the Legal Response Initiative, which supports developing nation delegations and NGOs in relation to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Florian Steinhart assisted Refurbed with its series B financing of over €45 m; the green tech start-up is nominated for the “Green Heroes” category at Gründer Awards. Another example is the firm’s advice to Treis Group on the sale of Cycleenergy Holding which provides decentralised sustainable energy solutions from biogas.

The team also regularly contributes to thought leadership in the field, with partner Christoph Herbst and attorney Valerie Mayer contributing to an upcoming book due to be published in early 2023 on the topic of social, environmental and innovative procurement by public tender authorities.

The team also often gets involved in environment and climate-related policies and legislation, such as the National Chemicals Law, The National Climate Change Law, and the Bank of Israel Guidelines on Climate Risk Management in Financial Institutions. Dagan chairs the climate change and sustainability committee of the Israel Advanced Technology Industries, and is a member of the Israel America Chamber of Commerce Committee on Climate Change.

In an ongoing highlight, the team acted for Afcon Renewable Energy in the formation of a new fund committing €110m for investment in renewable energy projects in Europe. In a recent matter, it assisted a consortium of banks with a $5bn public offering of sustainability-linked senior bonds, representing one of the first of its kind by an Israeli company. The portfolio has also included matters concerning carbon reduction projects.

In 2021, the firm established an environmental committee, which evaluates the firm’s activities from a sustainability perspective and plans measures to reduce their environmental impact. Following the World Environment Day, the firm launched an eco-friendly initiative, Herzog #Greenstyle, which has taken a series of steps to reduce the generation of office waste and educate employees on reduction at source.

The firm has also recently led a programme for capacity building on climate change risk management within the banking sector, organising a series of seminars to introduce the subject to financial institutions in Israel. Futhermore, the firm joined 41 firms in participating in the World Law Group’s impact project for environmental sustainability organised by its Responsible Business Forum, headed by the firm’s impact investment practice area lead, Janet Levy Pahima.

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.

For solar park developer NRG2ALL, the firm advises on all legal matters related to the permits and zoning plans for the realisation of the client’s solar park portfolio. The firm is also mandated for all legal advice by solar park developer TPSolar, who brings a socially and ecologically sustainable approach to the Dutch energy transition through consultation with community stakeholders and close attention to local biodiversity.

Supporting the decarbonisation of the logistics industry, the firm advised Scottish engineering company Russell Group on its cooperation with a Dutch subsidiary of Hyzon Motors to facilitate the deployment of hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions vehicles in the United Kingdom. Another key client within e-mobility is ENGIE subsidiary 50five, a provider of charging solutions for electric vehicles.

Senior associate Harald Wiersema, a key figure in renewable energy mandates, moderated Klimaatweb’s conference on the regulation, market, and operation of energy storage systems. The firm is also contributing to Klimaatweb’s upcoming handbook on sustainability for municipalities, with Wiersema and associate Ko Hamelink co-authoring chapters on energy law, including on district heating and electricity regulations. 

Through utilising only renewable energy, preferring procurement through sustainable suppliers, maximising recycling, and moving toward fully digital files, the firm became CO2 neutral in 2021. Additionally, the firm has obtained the ISO 14001 certification, attesting to its environmental management system. 

The firm keenly contributes to green associations: It is a member of the Green Business Club in Eindhoven, which connects people, companies, and the municipality to make the area more sustainable; and of the Urban Mining Collective, which repurposes waste building materials to make them suitable for reuse.

Nyabira is leading the advice to the African Development Bank (AfDB) and US International Development Finance Corporation in the financing for the development, construction, operation and maintenance of the AMEA Power-sponsored Aperture Green Power project. This is the first time the AfDB and DFC have been co-lenders on a transaction. The team is also assisting the AfDB with its $65.6m financing for the development of a geothermal power project in the Menengai. Once complete this will produce enough electricity to serve approximately 500,000 homesteads and over 300,000 businesses.

In another highlight in support of the green transition of the country’s public transportation system, the firm is advising e-mobility start-up Basigo with regards to a $4m investment by Novastar.

The firm’s responsible business programme is coordinated through the IKM Foundation. It also supports several community programmes that promote access to justice and social inclusion.

Ongoing work includes advising a Swiss company which offers an efficient process targeted at reducing emissions from all fuels, minimising both air and sea pollution from the maritime industry. Other clients include a foundation aiming to empower science and incentivise solutions to the climate crisis; a platform which solves geospatial problems in order to support a transition to a decarbonised economy; a company that leverages natural fibre to make a number of industries greener; and a company which extends the lifetime of products by recycling composites.

The firm’s founding parter and key contact Michel Jaccard has been appointed faculty lecturer in the Sustainable Management and Technology programme managed by the Entreprise for Society Center (E4S) of the University of Lausanne, IMD and EPFL. Jaccard is also an active member of the Impact Term Sheet, an initiative by the Dutch Foundation Legal Innovation for Sustainable Investments.

The firm supports numerous private and listed companies with their sustainability strategies and in integrating sustainability-related considerations into their operations. It also acts for several start-ups active in the cleantech industry on a range of legal and tax matters; clients in this space include Nispera, which provides renewable energy data solutions; Mpower, which works with solar power in emerging markets; and Carbon Removal Partners, specialists in carbon removal investments; among many others. The firm has also been advising the City of Lausanne on complex legal issues in connection with investigations to evaluate the origin, extent, level and risks of urban pollution.

Notably, the firm actively participates in legislative processes connected to a green transition, such as providing the Swiss cantons with an opinion on the Federal Council’s proposal to accelerate procedures for the expansion of renewable energies.

In a pro bono matter, the firm has partnered and is providing legal counsel to Sustainable Switzerland, a topic-specific dialog platform operated by Swiss newspaper NZZ which aims to support sustainable development in the country.

Further demonstrating its knowledge surrounding ESG and sustainability, the team regularly contributes to thought leadership via publications, seminars and conferences on topics ranging from ESG litigation to ESG financial instruments and sustainability in real estate and construction.

Another key contact is Bern-based expert in constitutional and administrative law, Christoph Jäger, who has been lecturing in environmental law at ETH Zurich since 2010, among other teaching assignments.

In an ongoing highlight, the firm’s founding partners Malgorzata Kieltyka and Kazimierz Jakub Gladkowski are assisting a foreign investor specialising in the biofuels market by conducting a due diligence of the legal status of biomass as well as aerothermal energy, agricultural biogas, geothermal installations and hydropower. Kieltyka and Gladkowski were also recently asked to prepare a report on the Polish legal requirements and legal basis for green cryptocurrencies. Their work included providing recommendations on the planned framework that proposes a prohibition of crypto services that rely on environmentally unsustainable consensus mechanisms. In another recent highlight, Gładkowski advised a leading global financial services provider on the implementation of green energy and sustainable data scraping and data crawling.

The firm is actively engaged in an initiative led by the Polish Life Science Cluster network which focuses on a clean energy transition toward renewable energy sources. Furthermore, it participates in events organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, contributing to conferences covering topics including electric vehicles, vehicle to grid (V2G), and energy storage. It also takes part in events organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency, and in trade fairs, such as the Solar Energy Expo – International Industry Fair for the Renewable Energy Sources Industry.

In a matter led by energy practice head Evangelos Courakis, the firm advised Macquarie Asset Management on the Greek aspects of its €2.5bn acquisition of French solar power producer Re den Solar, consisting of eighteen operational and pipeline solar PV projects across Greece. Within the solar power sector, the firm also assisted renewable energy project developer FEN SOL with its sale of a 303 MW portfolio of PV projects to HELPE RES. 

For renewable project developer Entricity, the firm advised on all aspects related to a 4 GW pipeline of PV and battery storage projects, assisting with permitting and regulatory procedures, investment agreements, and the negotiation of a financing transaction. In an ongoing matter, associate Dimitrios Andriopoulos is advising EPC contractor Göktekin Enerji on the acquisition of a 340 MW portfolio of PV projects. 

The firm also acted for Enel Green Power in the negotiation of a tripartite grid sharing agreement with an international investor and a local developer in a deal which marks the first ultra-high voltage substation for renewable energy projects in Greece. The advice furthermore included the acquisition of a 96 MW portfolio of PV projects.

The team also has expertise in connection with the development of environmentally friendly technologies. It is advising hydroponic cultivation system provider Green Tech on corporate, civil, and regulatory matters; and AllOptimal on the Greek roll-out of its energy- and emissions-saving biodegradable organic waste management technology, BioBlox. 

In a step toward reducing its own emissions and environmental impact, while demonstrating such commitments to its clients, the firm recently moved its Athens office to a LEED Platinum-certified building.

Laine also leads the firm’s environmental practice, where clients benefit from his comprehensive knowledge of environmental law and regulations.

Tom Fagernäs is head of the firm’s capital markets group and applies his significant experience advising both issuers and underwriters to green finance deals. For example, Fagernäs and his team advised Lamor Corporation on its IPO and listing on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market Finland. The client is a leading provider of environmental solutions, which aims to protect the environment and its ecosystems.

In 2021, the firm’s new premises were granted the WWF Green Office certificate as well as having excellent-level certification in BREEAM. The firm is also committed to reducing and compensating for emissions, using the Green Gas Protocol as a strategic framework.

The firm has significant experience guiding major industry actors in their renewable energy sector transactions. A key client is Lightsource BP, which sought the firm’s transactional and due diligence advice in connection with its acquisition of pipeline and in-development solar PV portfolios, totalling 1160 MW. The firm’s advice helped the client – a major developer, financer, and operator of utility-scale solar projects – establish itself in Greece.

With notable expertise in the development of renewable energy projects, the firm is also advising renewable electricity producer Qair International on land, corporate, and tax matters in the development of a 410 MW solar PV portfolio.

In another current highlight, demonstrating its know-how within the wind power sector, the team is advising SSE on the Greek portion of a contemplated cross-border acquisition of a 668 MW wind power portfolio owned by Siemens Gamensa Renewable Energy, performing due diligence across licensing, real estate, and corporate law. 

Another major client is Total Energies Renewables; the firm liaised with the Greek Ministry of Energy to perform a legal feasibility study which analyses the novel licensing regime for the installation and development of offshore wind parks. The study has been presented by the Greek state for industry consultation. 

Within the firm’s energy, utilities and infrastructure practice, Gus Papamichalopoulos is a key contact. He has been certified by the Climate Bonds Standard Board as an approved verifier and serves as the legal counsel for the Institute of Energy for South East Europe. 

In two recent internal initiatives, the firm removed 56kg of plastic waste in a beach clean-up with the All For Blue Organisation and has planted over 100 trees for environmental organisation We4all. 

Jean Paul Vulliéty in Geneva is representing a global wind turbine manufacturing company and long-term client in an ICC arbitration regarding the operation and maintenance of a wind farm in East Africa. In another significant matter, Veijo Heiskanen is advising in the ICSID $700m arbitration brought under the Energy Charter Treaty between an Austrian engineering company and the Federal Republic of Germany over changes to renewable energy regulation relating to offshore wind farm developments in the North Sea.  Other key contacts include Bernd Ehle, who is experienced as both counsel and arbitrator in renewable energy disputes.

The firm’s commitment to sustainable development is demonstrable as it is one of two Swiss firms to have signed onto the UN Global Compact, aligning itself with the universal principles of human rights and environmental protection. Through contributions to ‘myclimate’ the firm also offsets 100% of its calculated carbon emissions and sponsors numerous climate protection projects.

In an ongoing matter, Jóhann Tómas Sigurðsson is advising Carbon Iceland with regards to setting up a carbon capture plant in Iceland, which aims to directly capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Sigurðsson is also representing Isorka, one of the leading EV charger operators in the region, in a dispute with Icelandic power company Orka náttúrunnar and the city of Reykjavík before the district court regarding the validity of a concession agreement for EV stations in Reykjavík.

Two other clients are Beka and Vistbyggð: The firm has advised the former, a company which has developed and built some of the first eco-friendly cross-laminated timber (CLT) houses in Iceland, on various issues including the joint venture and financing of Vistbyggð, a construction company focusing on green housing. The firm then also acted for Vistbyggð in one of the first project financings of certified green housing in the country.

A key client is JP Morgan Chase, which sought the firm’s advice as the initial purchasers on electricity producer and distributor Enel Finance International’s green senior unsecured notes offering. The $3.5bn offering supports the decarbonisation of the Italian electricity industry by featuring an interest-rate adjustment tied to Enel’s reduction of direct greenhouse gas emissions. 

The team regularly advises clients transitioning to ecological practices within traditionally polluting industries, such as assisting Bain Capital with the €3bn sale of a stake in paper manufacturer Fedrigoni to investment firm BC Partners. The investment helps Fedrigoni, itself EcoVadis Platinum-certified and pursuing carbon neutrality through the Science Based Targets initiative, to improve its waste and water recovery, research increasingly sustainable materials, and support clients in their plastic-to-paper transition.

As a founding member of the pro bono initiative Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, the firm offers free legal services to sustainability-focused start-ups and non-profits. Within this multijurisdictional initiative, the firm’s Milan office provided corporate governance and regulatory framework advice for Recup, a project that recovers surplus food from local markets and provides it to those in need, minimising food waste.

A member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, the firm measured the environmental impact of its operations and has implemented footprint-reducing goals across energy efficiency and consumption, electronic waste, and sustainable procurement. Working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the firm has become carbon neutral for its scopes 1 and 2 emissions through purchasing and retiring carbon credits, and is working to further reduce its carbon footprint through participation in the Science Based Targets initiative.

France

Latham & Watkins LLP’s Paris office plays a major role within the firm’s multijurisdictional, cross-practice ESG group, which provides advice across sustainable governance, the energy transition, sustainable finance, and environmental litigation.  

In a pioneering green financing matter, Thomas Margenet-Baudry advised industrial equipment leasing company Loxam regarding its €130m loan from the European Investment Bank. The loan, the first to be certified as an EIB Green Loan, will facilitate the electrification and greening of Loxam’s fleet, supporting the company’s decarbonising policy of replacing its existing fossil fuel-based equipment with low-carbon alternatives. 

Key Paris-based contacts within the firm’s ESG team include Roberto Reyes Gaskin, who provides expertise in energy and infrastructure projects, green bonds and sustainable finance, and ESG best practices; and Thomas Vogel, who has experience in renewable energy transactions, including in green hydrogen. The ESG practice provides cross-practice advice to members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a CEO-led collaboration between the world’s largest companies who together seek to accelerate the green transition and support sustainably operating businesses. It also co-developed the software tool ‘RiskHorizon’ to help industry-leading clients understand ESG risk and incorporate it into their traditional risk management processes. 

As a founding member of the pro bono initiative Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, which offers free legal services to sustainability-focused start-ups and non-profits, the firm’s Paris team assisted Plastic Odyssey, a research platform that develops and provides solutions to combat plastic pollution. 

The firm is also a member of the Science Based Targets initiative and the Law Firm Sustainability Network, and has measured the environmental impact of its own operations. It has implemented footprint-reducing goals across energy efficiency and consumption, electronic waste, and sustainable procurement.  

France

In Madrid, Latham & Watkins LLP has demonstrable experience handling transactions for innovative, eco-friendly companies.  

For Platinum Equity, the firm asssisted with the $4.2bn acquisition of environmental services business Urbaser from China Tianying, providing Urbaser capital to support investments in its waste-to-energy, sustainable urban services, and circular economy solutions divisions. 

The firm also advised The Carlyle Group on its acquisition of a majority stake in plywood producer Garnica Group, which is focused on preserving the ecological balance by working with wood from sustainable and renewable sources. 

As part of the firm’s multinational membership of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, the Madrid office has measured the environmental impact of its operations and implemented footprint-reducing goals across energy efficiency and consumption, electronic waste, and sustainable procurement. Working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the firm has become carbon neutral for its scopes 1 and 2 emissions through purchasing and retiring carbon credits, and is working to further reduce its carbon footprint through participation in the Science Based Targets Initiative.

Of note is the firm’s work for WWF Germany on the “Pathways to Paris” project for which the client provides a discourse platform to reflect on low-emission and alternative technologies as well as an evaluation system to classify these technologies from a financial perspective. Lars Röh and Nils Ipsen lead on the matter. They are joined by Nina Scherber in their continued assistance to the German Savings Banks Association and German Derivatives Association in the implementation of the EU Action Plan “Sustainable Finance”, specifically regarding product governance and disclosure. Ipsen is also active in the developing German hydrogen market.

Under its ‘Green Office’ heading, the firm takes concrete measures to minimise its electricity and water consumption, and the team almost exclusively travels via train for work trips. It also promotes a better understanding of sustainable finance and ESG regulation through regular, free-of-charge legal talks and regularly publishes academic journals such as its whitepaper on sustainable finance which is also publicly accessible.

Bruno Derieux and Julien Bourmaud-Danto are leading the advice to ARDIAN and FiveT Hydrogen on the launch of Hy24, one of the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure investment platforms, targeting €1.7bn for its first fund designed to invest in projects that are critical to global decarbonisation.

The team also recently advised ARISE Infrastructure Services on its 35% investment in Aera Group, one of the largest independent originators and traders of voluntary carbon credits in Africa.

NW Storm, a French leader in battery-based electricity storage and charging stations for electric vehicles, sought the firm’s advice on its €300m fundraising from RGreen Invest, a management company dedicated to investments in green infrastructure and technologies.

Globally, the firm has an ISO14001:2015 certified global environmental management system programme in place, as well as ambitious carbon reduction targets which are grounded in climate science and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. It now sources over 70% of all its electricity from certified renewables sources, and offsets over 22,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions associated with its business activities and travel through the Gola Rainforest Conservation Project in Sierra Leone.

Italy

At Linklaters LLP’s Milan office, key contact Tessa Lee, who set up the Italian ESG practice, recently advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on one of the first project bond refinancings for a PV portfolio in Egypt which is certified under the Climate Bonds Standard. A recent highlight for the capital markets team was its advice to a group of banks, both the lead and deal managers, on two sustainability-linked notes, valued at a total of €1.5bn.

Internally, the firm created an ESG committee in Italy to integrate ESG aspects into its corporate strategy. Furthermore, its working group ‘SustainabItaly’ and its newsletter GEMS aim to raise awareness around climate change and sustainability issues among staff. Some team members have also participated in EticaNews Business Lab and an ESG Accelerator Course set up in collaboration with Oxford University, which covers both legal and business implications behind sustainability.

Globally, the firm has implemented an ISO14001:2015 certified global environment programme, and has ambitious carbon reduction targets grounded in climate science and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. It now sources over 70% of all its electricity from certified renewables sources.

Luxembourg

Linklaters LLP’s Luxembourg office has deep expertise in sustainable finance, with a focus on micro-finance and impact funds.

Recently, in a matter led by Silke Bernard, Piotr Teklak and others, the team advised KKR on the establishment and first closing of its global impact fund, the proceeds of which will go to promoting climate actions and sustainable living, among other aims. The fund has been classified under article 9 on the Sustainable Finance Disclose Regulation as having sustainable investments as its objective.

In 2021, the firm obtained the SDK – SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber label, awarded to organisations that actively contribute to the protection of the environment through ecological waste management. It was also one of the first firms in Luxembourg to have been awarded the Enterprise Socialement Responsible label for its contribution to sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

Another way in which the firm demonstrates its commitment to sustainability is through its pro bono work, such as acting for B-Lab, the founder and administrator of B-Corp certifications. The firm’s support of B-Lab has included assisting them with producing draft legislation introducing corporate sustainability standards in Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg team is also active in sharing legal and practical knowledge through newsletters and webinars on a range of ESG topics, including greenwashing and sustainable finance.

Portugal

Linklaters LLP in Portugal has demonstrable experience in the renewable energy sector. In an ongoing highlight, the team is assisting Marguerite Adviser with the operation of two biomass power plants in Portugal with a total capacity of 30 MW. It also recently advised MEAG on the financing of the construction and operation of a 444 MW solar photo-voltaic portfolio in Portugal, being developed by Akuo.

Additionally, Diogo Plantier Santos and Joana Almeida led the team in advising Power Dot in one of the major deals in the electric mobility sector in Portugal, worth around €150m, the proceeds of which will be used to deploy a charging network for electric cars in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Poland.

Noteworthy pro bono mandates include the firm’s work for B-Lab, the founder and administrator of B-Corp certifications.

Beyond its work portfolio, the firm aims to raise clients’ awareness around sustainability through several initiatives, such as its global ESG Legal Outlook publication which explores global ESG themes  and was launched in 2021.

Internally, the firm has set carbon reduction targets that are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, and sources over 70% of its electricity from certified renewables sources. It also has an ISO14001:2015 certified global environmental management programme in place.

United Arab Emirates

Linklaters LLP’s team in the UAE has experience supporting clients on their journeys to net-zero and assisting them in meeting their sustainability goals.

In a highlight led by energy and infrastructure expert Matt Keats, the firm is advising NEOM, a company engaged in smart city building in Saudi Arabia, on a major matter regarding a desalination plant which will be entirely powered by renewable energy and produce 500,000 m3 of desalinated water each day. Noteably, the plant will consist of a utility-scale, zero-liquid discharge system, minimising its environmental impact by using brine streams produced by the plant to create a downstream green chemicals and minerals business.

Keats is also leading the team in advising ACME and Scatec on the financing of a pioneering greenfield green hydrogen and ammonia project, which during the first phase is expected to produce 100,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, with around 300 MW of electrolyser capacity. Upon full development it is expected to produce up to 1.2m tonnes of green ammonia annually.

The team has also contributed to the firm’s Middle East ESG Outlook 2022 report which explores the key global ESG themes for the year and takes a deep dive into the evolving ESG landscape in the region.

Firmwide internal initiatives include pro bono activities, such as providing advice to social enterprise Goumbook, a major reference on green practices and sustainability across the UAE. Through its partnership with Goumbook, the UAE team recently participated in a tree planting exercise at a local farm, where they learnt about the agriculture sector in the UAE and how local farms can be self-sustainable.

The team also recently assisted Plug Power, a leading provider of hydrogen solutions, with two projects: an acquisition by Frames Group which will support the client’s goal to reach an installed electrolyser capacity of 3 GW by 2025; and the development of a 100 MW green hydrogen production plant, which is expected to produce 35 tonnes of green hydrogen per day.

Another client is Pure Energie regarding all regulatory aspects of various greenfield windfarm, solar, and storage projects.

Key contact and co-chair of the energy & infrastructure team, Jan-Willem van Rooij, was recently appointed as a teacher for the new Course on Climate Change and Energy Transition at the University of Amsterdam.

Many of the firm’s offices have been awarded environmental certifications, including its Amsterdam office, which has achieved BREEAM Excellent. Furthermore, the firm is one of the founding partners of the Green Business Clubs Amsterdam Zuidas and the Rotterdam Centrum, through which it supports sustainable projects, such as the Circular Procurement Initiative.

Globally, the firm recently created an ESG focus group co-chaired by Roderik Boogaard, which assists clients with sustainable real estate, renewable energy and infrastructure, and sustainable finance and investment matters. It also launched a Green Team to help develop its internal sustainability initiatives.

The firm assisted Liquid Wind with the development of Sweden’s first commercial-scale e-fuel facility, FlagshipONE, which will combine biogenic CO2 captured from municipal utility company Övik Energi’s biomass-fired plant with renewable hydrogen to produce e-methanol as a renewable fuel for the maritime sector. Supporting the development of this innovative e-methanol project, the firm also advised Liquid Wind on renewable project developer, constructor, and operator Ørsted’s acquisition of a 45% share in FlagshipONE.  

Within the onshore wind sector, the firm acted for EnBW Sverige in the acquisition of all the shares in Kusberget Vindkraft, which has started development of a windfarm targetting an annual electricity production of 330m MWh. The firm’s expertise in renewable energy has also seen it provide advice in the emerging offshore wind sector, assisting Agrivind with the sale of its rights to the 260 MW Kattegatt Offshore windfarm to Macquarie’s Green Investment Group, facilitating the project’s development. 

Mikael Kowal, head of the firm’s renewables practice, is on the board of solar, wind, and hydrogen operator Rabbalshede Kraft, and chairs the board of renewable energy consultancy Wind Sweden.

Through its sustainable business focus area, integrated within its operational groups, the firm raises awareness among employees on the green transition and fosters internal collaboration to reduce the firm’s carbon footprint, focusing upon minimising energy consumption, travel, and waste. Targeting to become net zero by 2030, the firm measures its carbon footprint annually, in compliance with its certification with The Swedish Environmental Base. Toward this aim, the firm has moved to LEED-certified offices in Stockholm and Sundsvall.

Also of note is the firm’s engagement with clients facilitating the green transition in the aviation sector. Other related work includes greenwashing preventative advice and SFDR compliance.

The firm frequently holds webinars focusing on embedding ESG in different industries. It also takes a hands-on approach with many of its lawyers participating in volunteering for a range of social impact and environmental organisations such as the Majjistral National Park.

Therese Strömshed is advising Danish transmission system operator Energinet on the permit proceedings for the connection of the Bornholm energy island to mainland Denmark across the North Sea. The 3 GW-capacity island will collect energy from surrounding offshore wind farms and provide green electricity for consumers in Denmark and Germany. 

With its finance and development expertise within Sweden’s emerging offshore wind sector, the firm is advising large-scale developer and constructor OX2 in the divestment of a 9 GW offshore wind development portfolio to Ingka Investments. In another matter, Emma Olnäs Fors advised wind power company Zephyr on the divestment of a majority share in its 2.8 GW offshore wind development portfolio to major renewable energy company Vattenfall Vindkraft. 

The firm also assists with the decarbonisation of emissions-intensive industries, such as advising H2 Green Steel on the construction and financing of its innovative hydrogen-based fossil-free steel mill in northern Sweden; and acting for Heidelberg Cement Group within their project to upgrade their facility in Slite – Sweden’s largest cement plant – to utilise carbon capture and storage and consequentially become the world’s first carbon-neutral cement plant.

For Northvolt, which is developing a green battery gigafactory in Sweden to produce sustainable lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, Johan Granehult advised on the client’s $8bn equity and debt financing and €3bn construction project. 

The firm promotes climate-conscious initiatives across client work and internal strategies, having signed the Green Arbitration Pledge and become a member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance. It also provides pro bono legal advice for the Race for the Baltic project, which seeks to rejuvenate marine ecosystems by limiting eutrophication.

Supporting the development of offshore wind projects critical to Ireland’s energy security and Climate Action Plan, Rory Kirrane is advising SSE on all aspects of the planning, development, and procurement of Phase II of the 800 MW Arklow Bank Wind Farm. In an ongoing matter, Deirdre Nagle is advising state-owned transmission system operator EirGrid on the Celtic Interconnector Project, which will support the uptake of renewable energy by facilitating the exchange of 700 MW of electricity between Ireland and France. 

For the Climate Change Advisory Council, which assesses how Ireland can transition to a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economy, the firm provides ongoing public law and governance advice, including on the Council’s obligations under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020, which promises a green transformation of Ireland’s economy and establishes a carbon neutrality target for 2050. 

Bringing experience in renewable project finance, William Carmody advised a syndicate of banks on the provision of revolving credit and term loan facilities to energy-focused investor Greencoat Renewables, with the financing supporting the acquisition of wind and solar plants across Europe. 

Through a dedicated ‘Green MHC’ project team, the firm seeks to improve its internal environmental outlook by engaging staff in sustainable practices, as is fostered by its annual Green Month. Toward reducing the firm’s carbon footprint, the team has overseen the transition to paperless operations, sustainable or environmentally friendly procurement, and the sole use of renewable electricity. 

In a landmark deal, the firm advised Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec on the establishment of a one million tonnes a day green ammonia manufacturing facility in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, handling agreements, negotiations, and land allocation. Founder and managing partner Donia El-Mazghouny also advised the Egypt Green Hydrogen Consortium on the establishment of a major green hydrogen PEM electrolyser, which will generate green hydrogen for use within the production of green ammonia.  

In the renewable energy sector, the firm additionally advised Scatec on its 5 GW wind project in the south of Egypt. Attesting to the project’s importance within the expansion of renewable electricity in Egypt and the development of international co-operation in the green transition, the memorandum of understanding for the project was signed during COP27 in the presence of the Egyptian and Norwegian Prime Ministers. Another key client is project developer Juwi, which sought the firm’s advice regarding the construction of a 36 MW bi-facial solar plant and 7.5 MW battery-energy storage system at an off-grid gold mine in Egypt.

In a matter showcased at COP27 by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an example of the growing significance of debt financing within African infrastructure projects, the firm furthermore acted for Scatec on a $334.5m green bond issuance to refinance its 300 MW operating solar PV projects in Benban, Egypt. The bond was the first such project-level issuance in Egypt.

Also within green financings, the firm advised the Bank of Ireland and Coillte Nature on the creation and development of the Woodland Nature funding scheme. Through issuing Woodland Nature Credits, the scheme allows corporates to calculate how the woodland projects they are funding impact carbon levels and biodiversity. 

Valerie Lawlor is a key contact in the solar power sector, having advised renewables investment manager Greencoat on its acquisition of the 80 MW under-development South Meath solar farm, and solar EPC contractor Greencells on its agreement to develop Amarenco’s portfolio of eight solar projects in Ireland. 

Brendan Slattery acts for major clients within the development of offshore wind power, including green electricity supplier Energia Group on its North Celtic Sea and South Irish Sea projects, with each project investing €2bn to expand Ireland’s renewable energy capacity; producer Statkraft on the licensing and development consent process for its proposed offshore windfarm in the North Irish Sea; and windfarm operator Hazel Shore on the sale of a 50% interest in its proposed Codling Wind Park to EDF Renewables.  

Another important client within the energy transition is Greenlink, which sought the firm’s advice from project inception to financing on the 500 MW electricity transmission interconnector between Ireland and Wales. 

Having been among the first Irish law firms to become carbon neutral through offsetting emissions through United Nations-approved schemes, the firm continues to regularly audit its footprint and is pursuing further reductions through minimising waste alongside energy, paper, and water consumption.

The firm is currently advising Start Campus in connection with the development of up to 1.5GW solar generation capacity dedicated to supplying renewable power to a 495MW green data centre in Sines. In another ongoing highlight, Vítor Pereira das Neves is leading the team advising the consortium for the development of a major green hydrogen production project in Portugal; it aims to install a 10MW electrolysis facility to evolve up to 1GW of electrolysis capacity supported by 1.5GW of renewable electric power. Two other clients are EDP and Windplus regarding all legal matters related to the operation of an innovative offshore floating wind farm, among other matters.

In order to incorporate environmental best practices into its development strategy and operations, the firm created ML Green, an internal package of initiatives led by Luís do Nascimento Ferreira, which, among other aims, promotes environmental awareness, offers environmental training, and carries out an environmental evaluation of products and services offered by the firm’s suppliers.

The team’s regular contributions to thought leadership in the ESG arena includes Diana Ribeiro Duarte, Pedro Capitão Barbosa and Sofia Araújo Matias’ recent article in the EMEA ESG Report 2022 discussing how to avoid becoming lost in ESG compliance in the EU. João Tiago Silveira and Rui de Oliveira Neves authored the article ESG – Sustainability Tailwinds, published by Lexology, where they discuss how Portugal is favouring local communities’ engagement in the renewables business.

The team recently advised Partners Group on its CHF 600m investment in Climeworks. Founded in 2009, Climeworks provides carbon dioxide removal services to business and individuals, having so far built fifteen Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants, including one of the world’s largest DAC and storage plants, which operates in Iceland.

In another recent matter, the firm acted for BMW i Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs across hardware, software, and sustainability, in connection with its investment in Bcomp, a company offering solutions for a cleaner future by leveraging the use of natural fibres across a range of industries, such as automotive and motorsports.

Other recent highlights include advising BRUSA HyPower, a leading Swiss supplier of battery and fuel cells for electric mobility focusing on heavy-duty vehicles, on a major investment transaction, and acting as Swiss counsel to L Catterton on its investment in Planted Foods, a company which uses the combination of protein structuring and fermentation to produce meat from alternative protein such as peas, oats and sunflowers.

The team regularly demonstrates its ESG expertise by publishing newsletters on the topic, such as a recent piece on Switzerland’s new ESG reporting regime written by key contacts Deirdre Ní Annracháin, Juerg Bloch, and Adrian Koller.

Internally, the firm avoids single use plastic, recycles waste, purchases electricity from renewable sources, and has a LEED certified building.

Florian Stangl in the energy and projects practice is well regarded for his experience in plant licensing and advises Verbund, Austria’s largest electricity supplier, on all legal issues relating to the development of renewable projects, including innovative technologies such as battery storage and hydrogen. Stangl and firm founder Martin Niederhuber are jointly advising The Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Transport and Innovation on various matters pertaining to energy, state aid, constitutional, and civil law. David Suchanek has a strong presence in the wind sector; he is currently acting for WEB Windenergie in the defence of the development of seven wind farm projects.

The firm has also supported various pro bono initiatives such as the “Klimavolksbegehren” (petition for a climate referendum), which calls for more ambitious climate protection and received almost 400,000 signatures. Internally, the firm organised a cycling challenge to incentivise employees to use bikes more frequently, and it also encourages the use of public transport through its financing of the ‘Klimaticket’ for lawyers: an annual ticket for public transport in Austria. Firm staff also receive a regular sustainability newsletter to raise awareness.

In a highlight led by Munich-based Klaus Bader and Sebastien Frech, the team advised JERA, a Japanese power company which promotes the adoption of greener fuels and thermal power that doesn’t emit CO2 during power generation, on its investment in Hydrogenious LOHC, a German company developing, producing and selling technology which supports the safe transport and delivery of hydrogen. Bader and Frech also acted alongside Bernd Dreier and others in advising Brookfield Renewables, which operates one of the world’s largest renewable power platforms, on its acquisition of Sunovis, a solar project design and development company which has successfully developed more than 30 solar projects in Germany and other European countries.

Globally, the firm regularly contributes to thought leadership in the area via its energy transition newsletter and energy transition hub, among other platforms. It is also one of the founding members of the Chancery Lane Project.

Italy

Norton Rose Fulbright’s Italian team stands out for its work assisting companies transition to more sustainable operations.

Under the leadership of Arturo Sferruzza, the team is advising Shell on its acquisition of 100% of SKI, a company active in the design and construction of photovoltaic plants; SKI has a pipeline of 25 projects under development in Italy, amounting to around 747 MW. Following the acquisition, Shell’s solar development pipeline in Italy will reach nearly 2 GW.

Globally, the firm actively contributes to thought leadership in the sustainability arena; its energy transition hub consists of various publications on climate change and the energy transition. It also offers an ESG Insights portal, an ESG and green finance webinar series, a road to COP27 portal, a bi-annual climate change litigation update, and a guide to creating carbon offset units on the voluntary market.

The firm not only demonstrated its long-standing engagement with sustainability by establishing a climate chance practice 20 years ago, but also by being one of the founding members of the Chancery Lane Project, a collaboration of legal professionals aiming to enable legal solutions to climate change.

United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, Norton Rose Fulbright’s sustainability-related work recently included advice to International Holding Company on its AED 1.8bn acquisition of a 50% stake in Kalyon Enerji. The deal led by Zubair Mir, Mark Berry and others saw the client acquire the Konya-based Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant, which is set to meet the annual electricity needs of around two million people, as well as other renewable projects in Turkey, such as a wind project of 1 GW, and a 100 MW solar project.

In another recent highlight, Nick Robinson worked with a London team to assist the underwriters, led by Citi, HSBC and MUFG, in relation to green bonds which will be included in the list of Euronext ESG Bonds, issued by Sweihan PV Power, the operater and owner of Noor Abu Dhabi solar PV power generation plant, with a power capacity of 881 MW.

The firm is a founding member of the Chancery Lane Project and a signatory to the Law Society’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis, a resolution that was drafted under the guidance of the Law Society’s Climate Change Working Group, chaired by the firm’s head of sustainability across the EMEA region. The firm’s global environmental sustainability committee is dedicated to improving the sustainability of the firm’s operations and taking direct action to support the United Nations Development Goal 13: Action on Climate Change.

In 2021, the firm held its first ‘climate hackathon’, which was joined by over 100 lawyers who exchanged ideas on climate change and environmental issues impacting clients.

In another current highlight, head of financial services in Germany, Tanja Aschenbeck, and others are assisting One Group with the restructuring of an ESG impact fund with a value of over €200m, which will be used to finance the management of agricultural land in Angola.

Globally, the firm demonstrated its commitment to a green transition by signing a letter sent to world leaders prior to COP26, urging them to take action to limit average global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Its internal Osborne Clarke For Good initiative aims to make the firm a more sustainable business by reducing its impact on the environment, among other measures. In Germany, train travel has been established as standard means of transport for business trips within the country.

Italy

Demonstrating its expertise in decarbonisation projects, ranging from renewable energy to e-mobility and carbon capture, Osborne Clarke LLP’s Italian team is currently acting as legal advisor for the implementation of Chorus Life Bergamo, an innovative, environmentally sustainable urban regeneration project consisting of a smart district in the city of Bergamo which will be fully powered by renewable energy sources.

In a matter led by Andrea Pinto, Giorgio Lezzi, and others, the team also assisted Bayerische Landesbank with a green loan facility which will be used to fund the purchase of a property recently redeveloped in digital and sustainable terms according to ESG criteria; it is one of the few buildings in Italy in line with Paris Agreement C02 emission targets. Another client was Principal Real Estate Europe regarding a financing transaction: a green term loan worth €25mi for the acquisition of a property located in Vignate, which is included in the ‘green building’ category and qualified as an ‘eligible green project’.

Firmwide initiatives include Osborne Clarke For Good, which aims to make the firm a more sustainable business by reducing its impact on the environment, among other measures. In Italy, the firm has obtained the ISO 14064-1 certification, which reports organisations’ greenhouse gas emissions and provides a concrete tool for planning a reduction strategy. Through its partnership with FUTURY, a platform that builds sustainable start-ups, the firm also holds workshops on legal topics specific to sustainability. Recently, it demonstrated its thought leadership with a report on decarbonising technologies for cities and a series of webinars on hydrogen markets and regulations.

Head of the energy law practice, Dominik Kurzmann, assists mutliple clients, including PVTechnologies and Dor -Turbinen, with the establishment of energy communities. A pioneer in this space, he lectures on the topic at the University of Vienna.

Stefanie Werinos-Sydow and her team are involved in cutting-edge work involving the development of PV projects in the instance of dual land use, having assisted PVTechnologies with the development of a PV project in an open-cast mining area. Kurzmann and Werinos-Sydow regularly advise Amarenco Solar Austria on various PV projects with a complex real estate aspect, such as the establishment of PV plants to feed produced electricity to the state-owned railway grid. Werinos-Sydow’s knowledge of the sector is further demonstrable in her role as an environmental law lecturer at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna.

The firm is also active in sustainable financing deals, with Wolfram Huber and Lisa Urbas leading the advice to Mayr Melnhof regarding the client’s first sustainable financing to be certified in compliance with the Green Loan Principles,  valued at €65m. Urbas, who is co-chair of the Sustainability Board of AIJA (Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats), is also key to the development of the firm’s sustainability law advisory practice; she works across departments focusing, for instance, on ESG compliance and the development of sustainability strategies.

Internally, the firm has taken considerable steps towards carbon neutrality, using 100% green electricity and offering 100% remote working to further reduce its carbon footprint. It also offers e-scooters as transportation for staff as opposed to company cars.

In the sustainable finance space, the firm assisted luxury resort provider Sani/Ikos Group with a €500m+ group refinancing which integrated a margin step-down mechanism tied to the achievement of sustainability targets aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on sustainable hotel operations and the protection and enhancement of local biodiversity. Another active client is real estate developer Lamda Development, which sought the firm’s advice on a €230m senior green bond issuance, one of the first such deals on the Greek market. 

Head of project finance and energy Euripides Ioannou leads on major renewable energy transactions, with highlights including advising Motor Oil Renewable Energy on their acquisition of a majority stake in a 2 GW portfolio of operating and pipeline projects from Ellaktor Group; and assisting state-owned company China Energy with their transition to renewable investments through the acquisition of a 75% stake in a 133 MW wind project portfolio.

Frequently active in connection with the development of renewable energy projects, the firm acted for Piraeus Bank in the financing of National Energy’s construction of a 130 MW PV portfolio. Another key client is the National Bank of Greece regarding a financing to 547 Energy International for the construction of a 408 MW wind farm portfolio.

A pro bono client is the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, which works to protect the natural environment and biodiversity while raising public awareness of its value. 

Demonstrating its thought leadership credentials, the firm was selected to provide Greek legal coverage within the second edition of the Primer on Climate Change, which advises board directors on how to integrate climate change initiatives into corporate governance.

Alice Whittaker is a key contact, who is advising RWE on the development of the Dublin Array offshore wind project, handling permits and surveys, public auction processes, regulatory matters, and consultations on the energy market. The firm is also advising RWE on potential acquisitions within its targeted €1.5bn investments in the Irish renewables market.

For Mainstream Renewable Power, the firm is advising on both the consents strategy for the client’s Phase 2 offshore wind projects, and on the regulations concerning potential interconnection and hydrogen projects linked to Mainstream’s offshore project portfolio.

The firm also regularly advises electricity producer Power Capital Renewable Energy on its transactions, including the acquisition of a 240 MW shovel-ready solar PV portfolio from Renewable Energy Systems; and the acquisition of a majority equity stake in solar developer Terra Solar, allowing for the build-out of the target’s 400 MW portfolio. 

Another key individual is Philip Lee, who, alongside being a founding member of the Irish Green Building Council, advised Ubitricity on the legal barriers to the installation of on-street electric vehicle chargers throughout Ireland. 

In the pro bono space, the firm assists emissions-offset provider Rebalance Earth, which preserves ecosystems by protecting keystone species, then supplies corporates with offsets calculated against the carbon captured by the thriving ecosystem.

Lev Gantly, who recently arrived to lead the firm’s energy practice, contributes extensively to thought leadership surrounding carbon credit markets, and has also drafted a clause for The Chancery Lane Project which helps corporate landlords and tenants generate green electrons for the electricity grid. 

In the renewable electricity sector, Garrett Monaghan is assisting renewable project developer Obton with the acquisition of in-development solar projects across Ireland, totalling a 200 MW portfolio. The firm is providing advice regarding the financing, construction, and development of the projects, which help boost the availability of renewable solar electricity in Ireland’s energy mix.

The firm is also providing asset manager Osmosis Investment Management, which invests in companies with energy-, water-, and waste-conscious strategies, with ongoing legal and regulatory advice on the establishment of EU SFDR Article 9-compliant funds, and on relevant SFDR and Taxonomy disclosures across the client’s Irish funds. 

Demonstrating expertise in green funding, the firm acted for sales group DCC on its £800m sustainability-linked revolving credit facility. The funding arrangement is tied to the client’s attainment of sustainability metrics and targets. 

Acknowledging its role in the green transition, the firm is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and has joined the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign. Through the SBTi, the firm has validated its targets to be net zero by 2040 and to use only renewable electricity and have reduced its absolute global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The firm is also a member of the Carbon Disclosure Project, through which it monitors and manages its supply chain’s environmental performance.

Supporting climate action within the legal community, the firm is furthermore a member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance and Legal Sustainability Alliance, and has created the One Million Hours pledge, which seeks to raise one million hours of time among lawyers to provide pro bono advice on green projects and initiatives.

Spain

Integrated in the firm’s global Climate & Sustainability Advisory practice, Pinsent Masons LLP’s team in Madrid specialises in advising clients in the energy and financial sectors on innovative renewable energy projects.

Borja Martín Ariza advised Enagás on the investment in its affiliate, biogas developer Enagás Renovable, by the clean hydrogen investment platform Hy24. The investment by Hy24’s Clean H2 Infra Fund will accelerate the development of the client’s renewable-to-gas platform, whose portfolio includes a 750 MW electrolysis-capacity green gas project. 

Assisting with an innovative approach to green project finance, senior associate Javier Alagón Serrano advised FinTech platform Fundeen, which crowdfunds investment to provide environmentally sustainable projects an alternative source of funding, on the structuring of the finance for an operational 2.45 MW solar PV installation.

The firm is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and has joined the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign. Through the SBTi, the firm has validated its targets to be net zero by 2040 and to use only renewable electricity and have reduced its absolute global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. These targets are supported within the firm’s Climate Change & Sustainability network, which connects and empowers employees concerned with promoting environmentally friendly attitudes and operations within the firm. 

Alongside sharing green expertise through its memberships in the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance and Legal Sustainability Aliance, the firm created the One Million Hours pledge to augment climate action within the legal community. The pledge seeks to raise one million hours of time among lawyers to provide pro bono advice on projects and initiatives which aim to prevent climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Climate change and CO2 emissions trading law specialist, Uwe M. Erling, advises leading carbon offset platforms ForTomorrow and 50ZERO on the financial regulatory compliance of their business model for the purchasing of European Allowances under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The team is also acting for an NGO aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector with accreditation under the EU ETS. Erling’s deep expertise is demonstrable in his role as head of the legal subgroup for the Working Group on Emissions Trading to Combat the Greenhouse Effect at the Federal Ministry for the Environment and his longstanding position as a lecturer on sustainable aviation at Danube University.

The firm’s ESG ideas competition gives employees from across the firm an opportunity to contribute to its internal sustainability strategy. Improvements have focused on CO2 reduction as a company and sustainability in the workplace.

In an ongoing highlight, the team is advising LG Electronics on a range of environmental matters, including modifications to the company’s Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) management. The firm is also advising Banco Santander on the implementation of a restoration project led by environmental organisation WWF which aims to repair a protected wetland; the project is a part of the Ramsar Treaty, as well as the Natura 2000 and the Balearic Islands Hydrological plan. Another client is technological startup AirCapture concerning the regulatory environmental barriers for the implementation of its Direct Air Capture, which permits for the capture and reuse of CO2 from the emissions produced during industrial processes.

The firm’s key individuals often engage in relevant publications and events. Recently, José María de Paz spoke at The Future of Sustainable Mobility conference in Madrid, and Josefina García Pedroviejo wrote a publication discussing SFDR and sustainable funds. Additionally, directed by de Paz, over 30 individuals from the firm participated in the collective project ‘Legal Studies on Sustainability: Climate Change and ESG Criteria in Spain and the European Union’, containing an analysis of a wide range of issues related to the management of climate change, energy transition, and sustainable financing.

Internally, the firm has demonstrated its growing commitment to a green transition by publishing its first sustainability report, which includes its environmental performance.

As part of its work portfolio, the firm assists clients across a range of sectors with the development of internal sustainability best practices and initiatives.  In the aviation industry, a recent client, World 2 Fly, has committed to the ambitious decarbonisation target of halving its carbon emissions by 2050. A team led by corporate co-head Joana Andrade Correia advised the airline on contracts of fuel acquisition to enable zero-carbon flights in the near future through hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and nature-based solutions. This work included setting up the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to ensure a percentage of fuel is sustainably sourced.

Also of note is Andrade and managing partner Nelson Raposo Bernardo’s advice to Finnco Packaging Iberia in relation to achieving and maintaining the two most important environmental certifications in the forestry industry: the FSC and PEFC.

Furthermore, the firm regularly assists clients in relation to green bonds, such as Interpass Group Business Conglomerates on its €22.5m placement for investment in PV systems.

Recent client work includes legal support for Tomra at all stages of the implementation of a packaging deposit system in Latvia. This was led by Raivo Raudzeps and is of significance because the reverse vending technology incentivises recycling. The team also provides pro bono assistance to SIA Aswell which aims to reduce food waste by providing a platform to connect users; this new type of business model required a unique partnership agreement.

Giving back is an important value at the firm; across its jurisdictions, colleagues are given annual leave to be used to contribute to any charitable cause of their choice. The firm also invests in meaningful environmental projects including the Let’s Do It Foundation, as well as many social impact organisations.

Estonia

Pan-Baltic law firm Sorainen relies on the multidisciplinary expertise of its Estonian lawyers to assist clients in the renewables sector, in close collaboration with the wider ESG team across the firm’s four offices.

A team led by country managing partner Kaupo Lepasepp and co-head of M&A, Karin Madisson, is advising Sunly group and its subsidiaries on all legal matters pertaining to their renewable development portfolio. This includes legal support to Sunly Wind on the construction of ten offshore wind farms in Estonia with a potential capacity of 1655 MW, and in relation to the draft law in parliament which would amend procedural and substantial licensing rules.

Head of finance for Estonia, Kätlin Krisak, is leading the multijurisdictional team advising the book-runners (Swedbank, Nordea, and Citigroup) on Enefit Green’s record-breaking IPO of €175m, which has the largest number of subscribers in Baltic history. Proceeds will be used to develop 600 MW of wind and solar projects and grow production capacity by 230%.

The firm’s sustainability team is comprised of high-level executives, lawyers and business development specialists from across the firm who lead the internal strategy at both a regional and local scale. All offices follow green and circular economy principles to increase sustainability, including measures such as reducing waste, developing sustainable procurement and consumption patterns, and introducing guidelines for sustainable events.

Lithuania

In Lithuania, a team led by head of corporate Sergej Butov and energy co-head Asta Augutytė-Rapkevičienė at pan-Baltic firm Sorainen recently advised Taaleri SolarWind II Fund and Atsinaujinančios Energetikos Investicijos on all legal matters pertaining to their acquisition of three wind farms with a combined total capacity of 186MW. This is representative of the firm’s involvement in the expansion of renewable investments in Lithuania.

In the sustainable finance space, Tomas Kontautas and his team assisted Šiaulių Bankas, one of the largest banks in Lithuania, with the establishment of a €275m modernisation fund to renovate 600 old multi-apartment buildings. This is expected to save an estimated 50,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Clients benefit from the firm’s cross-disciplinary approach to green work. The firmwide ESG team is dedicated to facilitating the green transition for clients and has become a go-to in the region for renewables projects. The team is comprised of multidisciplinary lawyers across Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania who collaborate closely on ESG matters. For example, a team including lawyers across all three jurisdictions is providing legal counsel to alternative investment firm Apollo Global Management on its acquisition of leading European biomass and bioenergy producer Graanul. This was the largest M&A transaction in the Baltics in 2021.

The firm’s commitment to sustainability is not limited to client work. All four offices across the Baltic region have undergone a carbon footprint assessment and set up individual action plans based on the results.

The firm is at the forefront of the green transition in the aviation sector. Matthias Geurts is leading the legal advice to the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affaires on the financing structure of the decarbonisation of air travel. Also of note is Marc-André Rousseau’s ongoing corporate and commercial legal support to NEX Aero, which is developing hydrogen regional air mobility.

The banking and finance team has built complex blockchain-based tokens for clients such as Green Trade and Aqua Spark which specifically focus on climate change mitigation and sustainability.

Head of corporate/M&A Gregor Wedell assisted long-term client and green transition proponent Viessmann on its joint venture with BEGA, Eltako, and Oventrop to develop the wibulter IoT platform. The aim is to establish an independent standard for the European building technology industry with particular regard to smart homes and buildings.

In 2021 the firm strategically expanded its reach with a specific focus on energy. Hamburg-based Janka Schwaibold and Victoria Boss are supporting one of Germany’s biggest suppliers of renewables, Green Planet Energy, with regard to all customer-related legal questions. The two work closely on a range of legal issues arising from the green transition and innovative renewable technologies.

In 2021 Stephan Schmalzl participated in the publication of the “Guide to Financing for Renewable Energy Communities” (RES communities) commissioned by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology and the Environment Agency Austria. RES communities are key components of the green transition but entail highly complex financing.

The team also advises on various innovative renewables projects including hydrogen, hydropower, solar, and geothermal projects, and is actively facilitating the advancement of e-mobility infrastructure regulation in the country.

Outside of client work, the firm’s lawyers are highly engaged on the ESG thought leadership front with founding partner and head of energy Thomas Starlinger frequently contributing to different publications on green energy. In November 2022 founding partner and head of employment law Birgit Vogt-Majarek spoke at the Climate Economy Law Conference in Vienna on sustainable corporate governance. The firm itself is strategically located in Viertel Zwei, which is car-free and was awarded an ÖGNI platinum certificate as the first sustainable city district in Austria.

The firm’s longstanding engagement with Bulgaria’s energy market positions it well to address complex matters pertaining to the energy transition. It draws from an interdisciplinary group of experts to advise clients at all stages, from acquisition to implementation of green energy projects.

In a recent highlight, managing partner of the firm’s Sofia office, Alexandra Doytchinova, and head of regulatory and energy, Stefana Tsekova, advised MET Group on its acquisition of a 60 MW wind park in Suvorovo from Grupo Enhol. In the past, Doytchinova assisted renewable energy producer Enery on its acquisition of the largest PV park in Bulgaria. Tsvetan Krumov, who leads the banking and finance group in Sofia, has strong expertise in sustainable finance and is leading the advice to RGREEN Invest on its €15m green bond for the construction of a PV plant in southwestern Bulgaria.

Other key clients seeking the firm’s avice on sustainability-related matters have included the European Commission, Liechtenstein Group, and UniCredit Bulbank.

In another matter of significance, the team supports Oxfam France, Friends of the Earth France and Notre Affaire à Tous who accuse BNP Paribas of failing to apply climate change due diligence due to its continued financing of oil and gas projects. In October 2022 the NGOs gave BNP three months to comply with the Paris Agreement and completely stop its support for new fossil fuel projects. Failure to do so will lead to a referral to the Paris court and what could be the first climate litigation in the world involving a commercial bank.

Sebastien Mabile has a deep knowledge of French due diligence law and provides numerous training sessions for judges, both on ecological damage and on the “devoir de vigilance”. At Po Paris School for International Affairs Mabile lectures on environmental law and also chairs the “Environmental Law and Policies” Commission of the IUCNs French Committee.

Paris-based Agnès Rossi and others recently assisted French investment management company RGREEN INVEST with the closing of its INFRAGREEN IV fund, a Greenfin labelled fund dedicated to investments in infrastructure projects related to energy transition and climate change adaptation in Europe, bringing the total commitment of the fund to €670m. Rossi also recently handled the second generation of Meridiam’s Africa infrastructure fund, Meridiam Infrastructure Africa Fund II, which will invest in greenfield infrastructure projects across the region. Additionally, she advised the European gas transmission system operators Enagas, Snam, and GRTgaz on a multi-jurisdictional matter regarding an agreement to set up shared initiatives aimed at supporting and exploring projects to accelerate the clean hydrogen market.

The firm demonstrated its commitment to ESG by appointing a specialised global head of ESG in 2022 to oversee the development of the firm’s ESG strategy across all practice areas and offices. The firm also counts with an integrated international ESG SteerCo which leads and supports ESG matters, as well as an environmental sustainability network, the green room, which links together the firm’s internal sustainability initiatives and aims for collaboration with clients to achieve greater impact. Clients also benefit from the firm’s ESG Global Solutions, a suite of innovative tools and resources on the broad spectrum of ESG.

Internationally, the firm is one of the first to achieve carbon-neutral status in 2006 and recently submitted a letter of commitment to the SBTi pledging to set science-based targets to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals.

Luxembourg

Simmons & Simmons in Luxembourg stands out for its work and initiatives in the ESG space. The firm recently appointed Sonali Siriwardena, who is a member of the FCA’s ESG Advisory Committee, as its global head of ESG, a role that involves the development of the firm’s ESG strategy across all practice areas and offices. ESG matters and initiatives are also led and supported by the firm’s integrated international ESG steering committee.

The firm often engages with regulators and industry bodies. In collaboration with EFAMA it is developing a standard template for tracking EU ESG disclosure developments. Furthermore, under ESG Global Solutions it has developed several other innovative tools, including the Green Energy Tool which provides access to legal and regulatory renewable energy data.

In an ongoing work highlight, Augustin de Longeaux and Cedric Danois are advising a supranational European entity on a prospective investment in a Luxembourg Article 9 (‘investing in sustainable investments’) green transition fund. The fund aims to invest in the energy transition, circular economy, and smart city/agriculture. Longeaux also recently acted for InfraVia Capital Partners in the closing of an infrastructure fund which aims to support infrastructure companies in their growth plans and create more sustainable businesses. The fund will invest in the energy transition, among other targets.

The firm is one of the first international law practices to achieve carbon-neutral status in 2006, and with the help of its environmental consultants (Carbon Intelligence) it is developing a set of even more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

An ongoing client of the firm is Balder Danmark, which is developing a sustainable residential suburban area including 370 residential units that are all to be certified with DGNB Gold; Larsen and Julia Lisa Feuerhake provided strategic advice on all legal issues surrounding the acquisition of the land and are continuing to assist throughout the development.

Since 2014 Larsen has also assisted Carlsberg Byen with the large-scale development of the area which includes 25 green urban spaces and 6000 m2 of green roofing. The project will be one of the greenest city districts in Denmark and was pre-certified silver DGNB in 2013.

In another significant, sustainable property development, the team supported MT Højgaard with all legal matters surrounding the Teglsøerne project situated in the northern part of Zealand comprising 32,000 m2 of sustainable residential housing including a multi-generational housing concept which will be DGNB Gold certified.

In an ongoing highlight, Rocha is leading the advice to AdEPorto (Agência de Energia do Porto) on the design of all legal and procurement frameworks needed for the implementation of the PEER project, which aims to develop the Porto Energy Hub, a renovation programme striving to fight energy poverty by promoting energy efficiency in buildings, renewable energy communities and collective self-consumption. Rocha is also acting for all the municipalities of the Porto Metropolitan Area in connection with the large-scale development of decentralised renewable energy generation in public buildings, allowing for more environmentally sustainable energy generation.

Another current highlight led by Rocha is the advice to a group of companies in relation to the H2 Driven project, a joint venture for the development of industrial facilities to produce hydrogen and ammonia, powered by solar photovoltaic plants.

Highly engaged outside of her work for clients, Rocha has co-authored publications on climate change and the Paris Agreement, and is a member of the ICC Climate Arbitration Task Force; a founding and board member of the Sustainable Growth Platform; president of the Fiscal Council of Portuguese Electric Mobility Association; and a member of the ‘Women for Climate’ movement.

The firm is a founder of Business As Usual, an NGO aiming to promote gender equality and sustainable consumption by promoting circular economy projects, as well as two associations which aim to promote energy knowledge, literacy, and policy: APDEN (Portuguese Energy Law Association) and EFELA (Energy Federation of Energy Law Association).

Together with the M&A and real estate and construction team, head of energy Paulius Zapolskis is currently advising Green Genius, an international renewable energy company, in the purchase of 100% of the shares in the company which has rights to develop an 85 MW wind farm in Lithuania. This deal is particularly significant as it contributes to the region’s climate change mitigation agenda and will account for around 13% of the country’s current wind power portfolio.

Another recent highlight is the team’s work advising EPSO-G on the issuance of sustainability-linked bonds. This is one of the first projects in the Baltics where the interest of the bonds is linked to compliance with sustainability requirements.

Trying to lead by example, the firm received an ISO 14001 certification, demonstrating its commitment to managing its impact on the environment. Furthermore, in collaboration with public institution and non-profit Myliu Miska (I love forest), the firm measures and neutralises CO2 emissions from its events. It also regularly participates in and initiates events related to sustainability, such as a recent seminar on labor law and ESG.

Latvia

Multi-service firm TGS Baltic’s Latvian team frequently advises clients on renewable energy projects, particularly relating to wind power. The firm as a whole recently launched its ESG practice to provide dedicated ESG legal support to its clients.

In a recent highlight, head of energy Agnese Hartpenga and others led the advice to Latvenergo on the establishment of the joint venture Latvijas vēja parki together with Latvijas valsts meži. The purpose of the joint venture is the construction and management of wind parks with a capacity of up to 800 MW by 2030; through the planned installation of 100-120 wind turbines in the new wind farms, approximately 2.4 TWh of electricity would be produced per year, which is around 30% of the energy consumed in the country during 2021.

Hartpenga also recently assisted Wind Power Development with a range of legal matters regarding a wind power plant development; the capacity of the planned project is 150-300 MW.

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, the firm collaborates with Myliu Miska (I love forest) to neutralise CO2 emissions from its events. Additionally, it received an ISO 14001 certification, meeting internationally agreed environmental management system standards. The team has also published a number of articles around green energy and sustainability, such as a recent piece on greenwashing.

Estonia

Multi-service firm TGS Baltic recently launched a pan-Baltic ESG practice aiming to identify and assist clients with short and long-term needs for sustainability-related legal services. The firm’s Estonian team often handles matters related to forest development and protection in the region, with Estonia one of the most forest-rich countries in the world. The team also stands out for its renewable energy state aid-related work.

In a novel case, Estonian co-heads of the firm’s energy practice group, Triin Kaurov and Triinu Järviste, are advising the Environmental Investment Centre on developing a new state aid subsidy measure to support the development of hydrogen production and use chains in Estonia. The duo is also assisting Elering, which oversees the issue of green energy state subsidies, with a number of state aid administrative matters, including one in the European Court of Justice concerning the payment of renewable energy state aid.

Other notable clients include the Estonian State Forest Management Center, which maintains, grows and manages roughly 45% of Estonian forests, and Multiland, one of the largest owners of forest properties in Estonia, which follows the principles of sustainable forestry.

Actively aiming to bring awareness around sustainability issues to clients, the firm’s Estonian office recently held a seminar discussing labour law and ESG, and published articles covering topics such as the dark side of the green energy transition and greenwashing.

Outlining its sustainability efforts and goals, the firm’s Estonian office also recently published its sustainability report 2023. In a particular achievement and demonstration of its commitment to sustainability, in 2022, the firm as a whole was certified under the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. Additionally, in collaboration with its partners Myliu miska (’I love forest’), the firm neutralises CO2 emissions from its events by donating to reforestation projects.

Active in innovative renewable energy mandates, the firm is advising on the development of the first floating solar plant in Nigeria. The project, anticipating a 100 MW short-term capacity with the potential to scale-up in future, provides a significant renewable energy supply amid the expansion of Nigeria’s electricity capacity.  

Helping accelerate the adoption of clean energy across Africa, the firm advised renewable energy holding company Dogstar Mauritius on its indirect acquisition of a 50% stake in Kenyan renewable and energy efficiency project developer Premier Solar Solutions. It also assisted the Oyo State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources with the conceptualisation, design, and development of a hybrid solar- and gas-fired independent power plant and distribution network, which will provide power to state and industrial consumers. 

Another client is Rovingheights Nigeria Limited, the implementing entity of the Nigeria Off-Grid Market Acceleration Program, regarding the financing of productive use technologies in the Nigerian power sector. The programme provides funding to mini-grid developers, who offer communities an electricity provision which can help decarbonise the domestic generation of energy. 

The firm also regularly assists with the financing of climate-friendly solutions, such as advising Starsight Energy Group as borrower on a long-term Naira facility, which will provide funding for the client’s provision of solar-hybrid energy solutions for commercial and industrial customers; and acting for BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund as lender on a loan which will support investment in renewable energy. 

Sharing its knowledge of the green transition with clients, the firm produces newsletters on topics including local implications of global ESG regimes and opportunities within Nigeria’s Climate Transition Plan. 

In the clean energy sector, Ramil Pärdi and Sandor Elias are advising Utilitas in connection with the acquisition and development of large sea and land wind farms with a deal value of €7-10bn. The project will make a considerable contribution to green energy goals in Estonia. Pärdi and Elias are also involved in ongoing advice to the state-owned company Rail Baltic Estonia on its new high-speed railway which aims to integrate the Baltic region into the European rail network. The project includes five jurisdictions and thus provides an efficient alternative to air travel.

The firm also stands out for its expertise in renewables financing and is a member of FinanceEstonia’s ESG and Sustainable Finance practice group. In 2021 it advised BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures on its €6.4m investment into green energy company Roofit.solar.

Co-head of the firm’s transport and infrastructure group, Aine Kalme led the team which assisted the OECD in its study and analysis of sustainable water services in Estonia and how to increase sustainable water Management in the country. The report is of significance as Estonia faces financial challenges in keeping up with environmental health regulations.

The firm is one of the first in the Baltics region to present its own sustainability strategy which is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. On the annual Triniti communal workday, employees participate in a range of green charity activities such as planting trees and cleaning rivers.

The firm’s sustainability ambassador Gintarė Ivanauskaitė, who recently graduated from the Lithuanian Sustain Academy, together with Vytautas Kalmatavičius continue leading the advice to Utilitas regarding the due diligence process of a 200MW renewable energy farm in Lithuania; the matter is considered one of the biggest wind farm purchase deals in the country. In another highlight, the firm is advising clean tech start-up Nanoenergija regarding the client’s intellectual property rights to its invention, namely vibration energy harvesting technology, enabling the green production of energy.

In June 2022 one of the firm’s key contacts, Vilija Viesunaite, organised a conference on intellectual property with a focus on sustainable packaging and green trademarks.

Under the leadership of Ivanauskaitė and following a series of internal team events and seminars to better define its sustainable goals, the firm recently published its first sustainability report, which specifies six priorities for sustainable development. The firm is currently working on calculating its CO2 footprint with external sustainability experts by preparing a greenhouse gas report that complies with the Green Gas Protocol and international standards.

For Dutch transmission service operator Gasunie, Diederik Maessen advised on the development of its national hydrogen backbone and local hydrogen backbone in the Port of Rotterdam, assisting with the development of novel transport agreements which are critical to the Dutch industry’s adoption of green hydrogen.

Providing key experience in energy regulation, Léone Klapwijk advised cooperative association Energie Coöperatie KetelhuisWG in relation to its transition to using sustainable aquathermal heat, rather than natural gas, for its district heating system.  

The firm also advised the supervisory board of electricity grid operator Stedin Group on governance matters regarding a €200m equity contribution which will facilitate investments in the energy transition and the feed-in of renewable energy into the electricity grids.

A key client among sustainable enterprises is venture capital fund Rubio Impact Ventures; the firm advised on the incorporation of its funds and with investments. Investment targets include RIFT, who are developing iron fuel as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and De Warmte, who are offering a CO2-neutral heat supply through transforming domestic wastewater into energy.

A further client is the 75inQ foundation, which – identifying how energy industry boardrooms are male-dominated, despite the consequences of energy poverty predominantly being borne by women – seeks to accelerate the green transition by promoting gender equality within the energy sector. 

As a member of the Green Business Club, the firm exchanges knowledge, expertise, and best practices on sustainable projects. Internally, the firm maps its CO2 footprint to become conscious of the opportunities to reduce its energy and paper consumption, and has consequentially adopted sustainable electricity and water sources. 

In the financing space, the firm continues to advise Greenvolt on the issue of green bonds with a total nominal value of €100m, the proceeds of which shall be allocated under the Green Bond Framework to the financing of renewable energy, integrated pollution control and prevention projects. The firm also advised all parties involved in the public subscription offering launched by Mota-Engil representative of the bond issue denominated “Sustainability-linked Bonds Mota-Engil 2022-2027” of up to €70,000,000 Notes due in 2027.

In another highlight, the firm assisted with the setting up of a Portuguese law governed real estate investment fund aiming at investing in the sustainable forestry and agriculture sectors, the first of this kind qualified as an Article 9 financial product under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (“dark green” product) committed to climate goals but also biodiversity protection and recovery.

The firm’s internal ESG strategy is led at the highest level by senior partner Joao Vieira de Almeida. The firm has been measuring its carbon footprint since 2011 in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology, monitoring its performance in terms of energy consumption, materials, water, and mobility. Its Green Project promotes the adoption of sustainable practices with the goal of obtaining zero-carbon status.

The firm is a member of the UN Global Compact, the Legal Sustainability Alliance, and Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) Portugal, as well as a signatory of initiatives including act4nature Portugal and Lisboa Green European Capital 2020.

The team’s clear commitment to reducing fossil-fuel dependence is evident through its range of pro bono offerings, including but not limited to support for the German Wind Association, the German Solar Association, and the Association of Energy Storage Systems. Bringewat, Valentin and Bettina Hennig also contribute as legal lecturers on the part-time course “Hydrogen for Professionals and Executives” at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES.

Internally, the firm has established a no-fly policy and provides all employees with public transportation tickets to incentivise low-carbon travel.

The team’s strong legal expertise in IP is fronted by Vukmir and Carla Biancotti. Since 2009 the firm has supported Ge@275 and Prof. Stasa Puskaric with regards to all legal aspects of protection and marketing in connection with Puskaric’s invention of artificially initiating the formation of Marine snow to help the ocean remove atmospheric CO2, thereby preventing global warming and climate change. Given the profound green potential of this project, the firm offers advice under financially favourable terms.

It is also advising Croatian start-up INCLUDE, which develops smart and sustainable city solutions, on all legal issues ranging from compliance to IP. In the renewables space, William Zupancic has handled several patent applications for wind turbines and Sanja Tkalec Kovač and Ivan Ćuk are assisting Crescent Capital with the acquisition of a wind project.

Since 2016 Philipp Frenzl has assisted independent Austrian mobile network operator Goood Mobile on setting up its innovative system by which telecom customers can donate some of their fees to environmental or social projects. Frenzl advised the company on a pro bono basis and was appointed a member of its supervisory board through the start-up stage. The firm is also supporting Neue Heimat pro bono regarding the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for affordable housing.

Clemens Völkl and Frenzl are advising Wiener Linien on the public and private financing of over € 100m for the extension of public transport in lower Austria to reduce car dependency. Together they are also assisting SV Gartensiedlung Bisamberg with the conservation of the land and lakes it manages and holding those accountable who cause the area damage or fail to pay the contractual preservation costs.

The firm’s dispute resolution team is currently representing the Environment Protection Department against AB Grigeo Klaipėda, a major paper and wood company in Lithuania, in connection with a €48m claim brought against the company due to the polluting of the Curronian Spit, an area of the country that has been protected by UNESCO for several years.

In the sustainable finance space, a recent highlight was the representation of Swedbank in one of the first sustainability-linked bonds to take place in the Baltic region, which will be used to finance strategic energy projects.

The firm is also assisting Kaunas Regional Waste Management Centre, established with the aim of creating a sustainable waste management system in the Kaunas region, with various legal issues concerning waste management. 

For client Milieu Consulting SRL, key individual Vaidotas Puklevičius and others handled the Lithuanian aspect of its study on the promotion of e-mobility through building policy in EEA countries and the UK; the client was awarded the preparation of the study on behalf of the European Commission.

Puklevičius was also a key advisor to the Ministry of Energy regarding the transposition of the Clean Energy Package into Lithuanian law. He regularly speaks at conferences on topics such as citizen energy communities and renewable energy communities, and making small green energy projects big.

The firm is a member of the Lithuanian Wind Power Association, the Lithuanian Solar Association, and the hydrogen platform, an institution established by the Ministry of Energy which aims to improve the country’s hydrogen policy.

In an ongoing highlight, key contact Marc Walter is advising Stiftung Umwelt Arena Schweiz, a competence center for environmental and energy issues, environmental education, and sustainable mobility in Switzerland, on several legal matters. The firm also serves as legal counsel to Codos, a cryptocurrency platform which motivates people to shift their commuting patterns away from regular combustion engine cars towards environmentally friendly ways of commuting.

Walter, Martin Peyer and others also advised Swiss bank Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank and its subsidiary radicant, an innovative green and fully digital bank with a specific focus on sustainable financial solutions, on a range of legal matters. In another highlight, the firm recently acted as Swiss counsel to FuGen, a Swiss independent power producer, in connection with its investment of more than €320m in onshore wind, solar, battery storage and green hydrogen projects across the Nordic countries and the UK.

Christian Wenger recently succeeded in bringing NOAH, a globally renowned conference on sustainable tech start-ups, to Switzerland.

The firm’s sustainability and ESG project committee, led by Walter and Claudia Keller, initiates and oversees the firm’s internal sustainability projects.

The firm has assisted multiple clients on the Longship project, Norway’s first full-scale carbon capture and storage chain, which will capture CO2 at Norcem’s cement factory and Hafslund Oslo Celcio’s waste incineration plant, transport liquified CO2 to a terminal, and store it in a sub-sea reservoir. For the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, the firm developed the concept and contractual framework for the complete commercial value chain, which will help decarbonise industries whose emissions cannot be eradicated by the use of renewable energy alone. For Equinor, Shell, and Total within their Northern Lights joint venture, which will provide transport and storage for a commercial CCS market, the firm developed contracts for the storage of CO2. 

Further assisting in the development of innovative green technologies, the firm advised Norsk Hydro on its investment into Vianode, which sustainably produces battery materials for the electric vehicle industry. 

Inge Ekker Bartnes provides experience in the wind energy sector and recently assisted Keppel Infrastructure Trust with its €160m investment, alongside Keppel Corporation, into a portfolio of existing and pipeline wind projects, marking the client’s first investment into the renewable energy sector. 

The firm is Eco-Lighthouse certified, using the scheme to help improve waste management, energy consumption, procurement, and transport. An internal Green Group coordinates the firm’s sustainable choices and carbon-reduction measures, with an employee taskforce advising management on effective strategies. 

Alongside law firms BAHR, CMS Kluge, and Glittertind, the firm held an internal Green Week campaign, sharing knowledge to help implement impactful environmental measures. It simultaneously published podcasts concerning the legal market, speaking on green leases, CO2 management, renewable electricity amid the energy crisis, and how to avoid greenwashing. 

The firm acted as Greek counsel to electricity provider Public Power Corporation (PPC) on its inaugural offering of €650m sustainability-linked senior notes and a further offering of €350m sustainability-linked senior notes. This offering, representing the first sustainability-linked instrument offered by a Greek company, will support PPC’s efforts to improve its environmental impact.

In an ongoing matter, the firm is advising Hellenic Petroleum on the implementation of a 204 MW PV park in Northern Greece, following its advice on the acquisition of the SPVs owning the park. The park, inaugurated by the Greek Prime Minister, is one of the leading renewable energy projects in the region and a landmark project in the country’s green transition. Also within the solar power sector, the firm has conducted due diligence for Unigreen in its acquisition of a 300 MW PV park.

Active in the development of wind power, the firm advised renewable energy corporation Enel Green Power on the financing, construction, and development of the 154 MW Kafireas wind park project.

The firm frequently shares its market knowledge via ESG-focused seminars: Christina Papanikolopoulou moderated a panel discussion on ESG financing and institutional investors at the 2022 Delphi Economic Forum; and Anastasia Makri, head of the firm’s energy group, participated in a panel discussion on the impact of ESG criteria on the Greek renewable energy sector market at the first Athens ESG & Climate Crisis Summit.

Recently, a team led by Benedetto La Russa advised Terna in one of the first hybrid green perpetual bonds issued in Italy, the proceeds of which will be used to finance the company’s eligible green projects, which are compliant with the Green Bond Principles 2021 published by the ICMA and the EU’s green taxonomy. Another highlight is the firm’s work with Logistics Capital Partners on the design and construction of a 163,000m² building which was assessed in accordance with the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for Built Environment (2017), a procedure involving the calculation of embedded carbon emissions over the building’s entire life cycle. The carbon emissions produced by the building’s materials and construction were established and offset.

Committed to sharing its knowledge, the firm created an ESG task force, headed by energy and infrastructure expert Carola Antonini, which produces newsletters, videos and other materials centering around ESG compliance for clients. The firm’s individuals also regularly speak at national and international conferences and other events. Notably, in April 2021, Marco Cerritelli was appointed a member of the Commission of Experts at the Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility, where he leads the Finance for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructures group.

The firm also often engages in pro-bono work, advising organisations such as The Ocean Clean Up, a non-profit developing technology to rid oceans of plastic.