The Legal 500 Green Guide: Latin America 2025

The firm is providing key renewables sector client CMI Energy environmental legal advice regarding its wind and solar power portfolio across Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. A San José-based team, led by environmental law expert Raúl Guevara, coordinated the cross-jurisdictional Alta legal network to assist the client in meeting environmental regulations throughout its regional operations.

Demonstrating its longstanding hydroelectric sector expertise, the firm continues to advise Enel Green Power regarding its 81 MW plant portfolio. The energy team supported the client in negotiating and signing electricity purchase and sale contracts with the state electricity company, before assisting in regulatory, tariff, and concession issues.

The firm regularly partners with business organisations to promote sustainability within the legal sector. Partnering with sustainability standards organisation Global Reporting Initiative, it analysed how international sustainability regulations impact legal compliance for Latin American companies and engaged with corporate counsel to ensure in-house lawyers promote and apply sustainability best practices. Through its membership in the initiative, the firm signed onto the Alliance of the Legal Ecosystem for Sustainability in Latin America.

In 2023, in order to engage corporate clients and the legal sector in dialogue regarding prevailing sustainability trends and best practices, the firm shared its expertise by co-organising a congress on ESG and environmental law and hosting the National Congress on Climate Change.

Through the energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction and recovery, and green purchasing programmes implemented by its Sustainability Committee, it has secured the local Bandera Azul sustainability standard. Seeking to supplement its environmental strategy through impactful volunteering initiatives, it is helping to reforest the Municipality of Montes de Oca.

In August 2024, the firm gained another environmental and sustainability expert in Roberto Cordero, who was previously at Arias.

A key client is the CMI Foundation, whom the firm advised across all legal aspects of developing a landmark cooperation agreement with the Ministry of the Environment to restore and protect the Motagua river. Through the mandate, the client will cooperate with the state to reverse the river’s pollution and leave a positive impact on the local environment. The firm also advised CMI on the ESG compliance of its Guatemala and Costa Rica-based hydro, wind, and solar power portfolio.

In another highlight in the renewable energy sector, leading energy and environment authority Alejandro Cofiño assisted renewables IPP MPC Energy Solutions with the structuring and negotiation of a landmark long-term PPA with CED, the energy broker of leading sugar company IMSA. Within the mandate, which provides a reliable clean electricity supply to an energy-intensive industry, the team structured and negotiated a build-operate-transfer PPA for the development, operation, and purchase of electricity from a 65 MW solar plant, before advising on regulatory approvals, tax benefits, and project financing possibilities.

Further demonstrating the firm’s expertise in ecological protection matters, the environment team advised the CONAP foundation on the purchase and possession of land in an environmentally diverse nature reserve, assisting with the drafting of a memorandum of understanding so that the client could cooperate with the land’s private owners to preserve local tropical rainforests and manatee populations.

To boost its internal environmental consciousness, the firm regularly launches campaigns to adopt sustainable practices and create a culture of environmental stewardship, including recently working with staff to enhance its recycling programme.

Supporting the ongoing operation of local clean energy assets, the banking and finance team acted for renewables developer and owner EnfraGen in the acquisition financing of a 188 MW wind, solar, and hydro power portfolio. Through the financing, the client, a major presence in the regional clean energy segment, was able to expand its expertise and make its entrance into the Costa Rican and wind power markets.

The firm also advised carbon credit transaction platform Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator on an emissions reduction purchase agreement with the government of Costa Rica, through which corporate clients will be able to acquire high-quality and verified REDD+ emissions reductions generated through the protection of Costa Rican tropical forests. Within the deal, the firm advised on financial, public, and environmental law.

The firm’s environmental law and ESG practice has leading experience in conducting environmental legal compliance audits for local corporations. The team’s recent work includes providing an ISO140001-aligned audit for the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje and a carbon footprint audit for construction company Corporación D.

As a key goal of its sustainability strategy, the firm is developing a carbon inventory in order to forge a data-driven footprint reduction path that aids its journey toward carbon neutrality. To achieve this aim, the firm has developed best practices across waste management and energy conservation and has encouraged staff buy-in through hosting environmental trainings and reforestation projects.

Key contact in Costa Rica, Roberto Cordero left the firm in August 2024 to join Alta Batalla.

Guatemala

From its Guatemala office, Central American corporate law firm Arias is a leading advisor on sustainability-related finance matters, complementing the vital impact the team makes to the local environment through its pro bono work for global foundations.

In a pro bono matter, corporate practitioner Luis Pedro Del Valle is acting for non-profit organisation The Ocean Cleanup in its ongoing efforts to remove the waste contaminating the Motagua River and to prevent further contamination through applying innovative technology. The firm assisted the client with the project’s compliance with the applicable national environmental and municipal waste regulations, helping navigate local regulatory and political challenges while ensuring the project meets the client’s sustainability standards and has a positive impact on the regional ecosystem.

Via its online newsroom, the firm regularly shares national and regional briefings to inform clients about the changing environmental law landscape, with recent briefings including updates on local sustainable development and waste management guidelines.

Internally, the firm’s sustainability strategy is built upon the pillars of environment, ending poverty, diversity, and inclusion. To make a positive environmental impact, the firm has implemented best practices across waste management and energy conservation, offers green training to all staff, and is currently working across the region to develop a carbon footprint inventory that guides its action toward net zero.

Nicaragua

Out of Nicaragua, Central American corporate law firm Arias regularly advises major financial sector clients in transactional matters which support the growth of a green economy and the clean transition of the country’s energy sector.

In the clean energy sector, the team acted for Banco Davivienda as lender in a $10m loan to Eolo de Nicaragua, which operates a 44 MW wind farm. The financing supports the ongoing operation of a major renewable power generation facility, contributing to the stability and availability of clean electricity in the local energy matrix.

Assisting the sustainable development of the local economy, the firm represented MCE Social Capital and MCE Empowering Sustainable Agriculture Fund in its $1.5m loan to Aldea Coffee. The loan was provided to support the sustainable procurement, processing, and exporting of coffee by Nicaraguan smallholder farmers.

A key contact is ESG and environmental law expert Rodrigo Ibarra, who regularly acts for domestic and international clients in complex and innovative mandates concerning the financing and development of clean energy projects.

Across the region, the firm is keen to implement positive steps that reduce its impact on the local environment. With its sustainability strategy placing key emphasis on abating its operational greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, the firm is currently developing a carbon footprint inventory, supporting and educating staff in adopting environmental best practices, and engaging in volunteering projects which focus on reforestation and river and beach clean-ups.

A major ongoing client is regional sustainability investor IDB Invest, whom banking expert Julio Castellanos regularly advises on structured finance matters. Key recent mandates include acting for the client in signing a $115m financing with private bank Davivienda Costa Rica, which the borrower will utilise to finance green and climate-focused projects; a $15m loan to logistics company Royal America to finance the adoption of energy-efficient equipment; and a $5m revolving credit facility to Guyanese industrial equipment company 2020 FMCG in order to develop its commercial and utility-scale solar production capacity.

Also in the development finance space, the firm advised German financial institution DEG on its $120m loan to financial group BAC Costa Rica. Helping mobilise international finance for local climate goals, the borrower will use the loan to make investments in energy-efficient buildings and the electric vehicle sector.

Collaborating with biodiversity conservation foundation Costa Rica Por Siempre, the environmental team assisted in structuring the national maritime conservation trust, which will pursue the key government objective to protect the Isla del Coco National Park. Through the mandate, the team ensured the raised funds, whose donors include the Bezos Foundation, are allocated to best promote environmental stewardship and protect vital marine areas.

Seeking to complement its green client work through positive internal engagement, the firm has built a sustainability programme aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in order to improve its operational sustainability. Through its internal efforts in environmental and ecological management, the firm has received the Carbon Neutral Country Seal and Bandera Azul certifications.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, Central American business law firm BLP leverages the experience of its banking and corporate teams to advise leading financial institutions on regulatory and transactional matters concerning innovative renewable energy and climate change mitigation projects.

Zygmunt Brett is a key contact for sustainability-focused transactional and corporate matters, particularly in the climate finance space. In the banking sector, Brett advised Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala and Banco Agrícola as lenders in granting a $70.4m credit facility to Ventus to finance the construction and operation of the first wind farm in El Salvador, with a capacity of 54 MW.

Through its dedicated sustainability programme, the firm aims for a positive external and internal environmental impact. Supporting the protection of local ecosystems, it provides pro bono legal advice to NGOs which work to pursue the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and regularly engages in river cleaning and reforestation volunteering projects. The firm also fosters sustainability engagement among staff by providing internal training on positive environmental stewardship and by launching collaborative drives to reduce its waste footprint.

Honduras

From its Honduras offices, Central American business law firm BLP makes a key contribution to the local clean energy market, acting for regional project companies, energy distributors, and industrial actors in the development of wind and solar power projects.

In a $700m matter, energy expert Karla Aguilar is representing San Marcos Wind Energy in the development of its 118 MW wind farm, which seeks to be one of the largest renewable energy facilities in the country. With the project requiring relocation in order to access suitable interconnection facilities, the firm is assisting the client in securing new land sites and reobtaining an environmental licence.

A key ongoing client is clean electricity distributor Celsia, whom the firm is advising on various renewable energy mandates. The projects team is acting for the client in permitting and construction matters regarding the El Corbano and Rio Blanquito solar plants, which will serve as self-consumption projects to generate clean electricity and help decarbonise local businesses.

Further demonstrating the firm’s expertise in energy transition mandates, the projects team is advising Texhong Textile Group on its corporate governance, environmental strategy, and $20m loan facility, which will part-finance clean energy self-consumption projects. The matter is vital in helping ensure that global industrial companies contribute to local sustainability when establishing business in Honduras.

Regionally, the firm engages in pro bono work in order to boost ESG considerations across Central America. Complementing its membership of the Vance Center Pro Bono Network of the Americas, the firm regularly provides NGOs with free legal advice on matters concerning environmental preservation.

To demonstrate its positive ecological impact, the firm is currently adapting its operations to obtain environmental certifications across its offices. Besides improving its waste management and recycling programmes, the firm encourages staff buy-in through providing training on best environmental practices.

In an ongoing matter, the firm is advising Comunidades Sostenibles in structuring a project to generate greenhouse gas reduction certificates in the forests of the Guainia department in Colombia, which is being developed together with indigenous communities in the region.

Recently, the firm’s environment and sustainable business team, including associate Juana Valentina Mican, assisted Scotte Colombia, a global leader in the hydroelectric sector, with the operation of a hydroelectric project in Colombia. It also advised the client on the structuring of a nature-based solution project, namely, a payment scheme for environmental services to protect the water basin which powers the above-mentioned hydroelectric project.

In a cross-jurisdictional matter, the firm recently acted for the Global Reporting Initiative on a project which seeks to analyse the legal and compliance implications arising from international regulatory advances on sustainability for companies in Latin America. The project aims to spark a discussion around sustainability in the legal sector in the region, and the study was carried out across Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil and the EU.

Besides its dedicated ESG team which assists clients with ESG legal considerations, In 2021, the firm also established an internal sustainability taskforce with the purpose of strengthening its ESG operations internally.

Currently, a team including Pablo Crimer, head of the ESG platform for Climate Action and Sustainable Businesses and frequent speaker on climate change and sustainability, is advising Vista Energy Argentina on the implementation of its net-zero emissions goal for 2026. This initiative involves reducing the client’s current carbon footprint by developing a portfolio of nature based solutions aimed at removing CO2 from the atmosphere, including the development of forest and soil carbon sequestration projects.

Another significant client is the Mendoza River Water Fund, a conservation initiative established in 2011 and led by global environmental non-profit The Nature Conservancy and the Government of the Province of Mendoza. The firm is advising the fund on the design and drafting of a collaboration agreement crucial for the legal structure of the project.

In the renewable energy sector, it is assisting Envision Energy, the second-largest wind turbine company in China, with several projects including two in the province of Neuquén which will contribute 125MW to the grid, marking them as the largest wind park projects in the province.

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development, the firm operates a sustainability commission tasked with overseeing its internal ESG policies. In June 2022, it organised “Bruchou Impact June” featuring various awareness-raising activities on sustainability for both the office and the community, including webinars on ESG and green financing. Additionally, in 2023, the firm participated in a waste electrical and electronic equipment reduction project, where it collected unused and broken computers and donated them to the Equidad Foundation.

The firm’s finance practice routinely assists with financings and investments that comply with environmental and sustainability criteria. One client in this space is Inversiones CMPC, for which a team led by Macarena Ravinet facilitated the first placement of a public offering of bonds in Mexico, comprising a floating rate green bond and a sustainability-linked bond. For the client, it also advised on the placement of a $500m green and sustainability-linked international bonds.

In another recent matter, Josefina Yávar led the team which advised Acciona Energía Chile on a cooperation agreement with Blue Lines to acquire and develop the first offshore wind farms in Chile.

Sebastián Leyton, a specialist in energy and infrastructure projects and a frequent writer on energy development and regulation, recently advised CMB Prime Administradora General de Fondos on the acquisition of a 22% stake in AME Generación, a company holding 50% ownership of Generadora Metropolitana, a mixed and renewable energy platform with an installed capacity of 750 MW and 1 GW of ongoing projects.

Globally, the firm has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2000. It annually reports on its progress in line with the Global Reporting Initiative and recently achieved Ecovadis’ Gold Sustainability Rating. As part of its dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility, the firm aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, offsetting any emissions that cannot be eliminated.

Colombia

Global, multi-service firm Cuatrecasas in Colombia stands out for its work in the sustainable finance area, often supporting the financing of renewable energy projects. The firm aims to leverage its vast experience in the European green market to assist clients in the newer,  upcoming green market in Colombia.

Recently, Fabio Ardila, who specialises in energy and natural resources law, advised Grupo Energia Bogota on structuring a sustainability-linked bond issuance on the international capital market with a value of $400m, which is intended primarily to finance power transmission infrastructures.

In another recent highlight, Ana Maria Sanchez and Manuel Gomez are assisting Banco de Bogota and Banco de Occcidente on the finance structuring to build a solar power plant in the Colombian municipality of La Dorada with an installed capacity of 129MW, to be developed by Porton del Sol. The firm also recently acted for Valorem on the financing to construct, implement and operate a 25MW biomass power generation plant, which will be connected to Colombia’s interconnected electrical power transmission system, boosting its green energy capacities.

All mentioned individuals form part of the firm’s energy and infrastructure practice group, and are based in Bogota.

Globally, the firm has been a part of the UN Global Compact since 2000 and it committed to achieving net-zero emissions in 2030. Its sustainability efforts have been recognised by Ecovadis, which assessed the firm with a Gold Sustainability Rating.

Peru

United Nations Global Compact member Cuatrecasas is known for its deep expertise within the Peruvian renewables market, assisting clients on a range of matters, including project development and financing, as well as mergers and acquisitions that support the country’s decarbonization.

Of its photovoltaic portfolio, the group recently assisted Solarpack Perú on the development of the San Martín Solar project, a 252MW photovoltaic plant in southern Arequipa, and advised Luz del Sur on its acquisition of Sojitz Arcus Investment, owner of the Majes Arcus and Repartición Arcus photovoltaic solar power plants. Energy partner Álvaro José Klauer D’Acunha was active on both of the aforementioned deals.

The firm also assisted Acciona Energía Global with acquiring shares from Energía Renovables del Sur, owner of the 131.1 MW San Juan wind project in Ica, in addition to providing ongoing advice relating to the project’s development.

Internally, the firm continues to invest in a greener future, and through implementing various energy and waste reduction measures and carbon offsetting, it hopes to achieve net zero by 2030. Its dedication to reaching this goal can be seen through the annual disclosure of its carbon footprint to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. It has subsequently been awarded a Gold Sustainability Rating from ECOVADIS.

Of note is the firm’s engagement in pro bono work, operated through its global, local and Latam committees, which focus on providing legal ESG-related support.

One notable client in the renewable energy sector is Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI), which the team advises on several financings for the acquisition and construction of photovoltaic energy projects, including a loan facility for the oEnergy group to finance a range of PMG (small means of generation) and PMGD (small means of distributed generation) photovoltaic projects, and a $15.1m financing for Solek Chile Holding III to develop a portfolio of photovoltaic PMGD projects.

For Banca Ética, the firm structured a corporate framework aimed at prioritising environmental principles. Additionally, for NotCo, it handled the integration into a collective management system to meet container and packaging collection and recovery goals under Law No. 20,920 for Waste Management, Extended Producer Responsibility, and Recycling Promotion.

The team regularly publishes articles on sustainability, environmental regulation, and environmental institutions. Julio Recordon, co-head of the firm’s environment group and a professor of environmental regulations, authored a book on environmental permits and serves on the Sustainability Committee of the Chile Australia Chamber of Commerce. Co-chair Manuel Barros frequently speaks at seminars on environmental law and contributes to the Sustainability Committee of AMCHAM. Juan Francisco Mackenna is a member of the Council of the Chilean Renewable Energies Association and the World Energy Council, while Alberto Cardemil serves as Vice-Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee within the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.

The firm is also a member of GSG Nab Chile, an association promoting impact investment to enhance socio-environmental investment standards. In 2023, it partnered with Chapter Zero and the Alliance of the Legal Ecosystem for Sustainability in Latin America to promote zero emissions and ensure proper interpretation and application of ESG and sustainability standards across the region.

In a recent matter, Juan Giráldez led the firm in advising Suzano on its $1.4bn financing of the Cerrado Project, which consists of a greenfield pulp mill with capacity to produce circa 2.5m tons of pulp annually, and once operational, will be Brazil’s first pulp and paper plant free of fossil fuels.

In a cross-jurisdictional highlight, the team acted for the Republic of Uruguay in an offering of $700m 5.75% sustainability linked bonds due 2034. The targets contemplated by Uruguay’s bonds include achieving a reduction in aggregate greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in CO2 equivalent per real GDP unit, by 2025 compared to 1990 and maintaining or increasing the native forest area covering Uruguay’s territory by 2025 compared to 2012.

The firm also assisted Vale with its entry into a $26bn partnership with Manara Minerals, a Saudi Arabian joint venture, pursuant to which Manara Minerals and Engine No. 1 will invest in Vale Base Metals Limited (VBM), the holding entity of Vale’s energy transition metal business. The total consideration to be paid to VBM under both agreements is circa $3.4bn for a 13% equity interest. Through this investment, Saudi Arabia is showing its growing commitment to the green energy transition.

Internationally, the firm is a member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, The Legal Sustainability Alliance and the Net Zero Lawyer Alliance. It also has an ESG group that keeps clients up to date with ESG trends in the industry. Since 2022, the firm’s weekly ‘Climate and the Financial Sector Newsletter’ has kept clients informed on regulatory developments related to climate change across different jurisdictions.

In the renewable energy sector, the team recently assisted Renewable Energy Systems in acquiring Ingeteam’s renewable services division, which oversees operations for wind, solar, energy storage, biomass, green hydrogen, and hydroelectric facilities globally.

Another important client is HSBC, for which the team facilitated a green-loan syndicated credit agreement for the financing of EcoBici’s public transportation system in Mexico City.

In a recently concluded matter, Carlos de Icaza provided counsel to Volkswagen ClimatePartner on a Verified Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement under the VERRA Carbon Trading System, which involved emission reduction purchases from a registered project in Mexico. De Icaza is also a permanent member of the Sustainable Development Council of the Urban Land Institute, whose mission is to promote sustainability and ESG principles throughout the real estate sector.

In the sustainable finance space, the team advised Fibra Macquarie Mexico on a sustainability-linked credit facility from Banco Mercantil del Norte, Institución de Banca Múltiple, and Grupo Financiero Banorte, offering a margin reduction if Fibra Macquarie achieves a 48% green building certified coverage of its industrial portfolio GLA by 2027.

The firm is a signatory of the Global Compact SDGs, aligned to eight strategic goals since 2018 and committed to a sustainable growth and the 2030 Agenda. It collaborates with the Mexican Council of Sustainable Finance, Climate Bonds Initiative, and Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure Mexico and continues to provide pro bono environmental support to World Wild Life Fund and Parley for the Oceans.

In a current matter, the team is advising the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Territorial Planning of the state of Puebla on the preparation of its Ecological Planning Program. Two other important clients are the Municipality of Cuatlancingo, for which the firm recently updated the Urban Development Program, and the Municipality of Guanajuato, for which it facilitated the preparation of the Regulation for Environmental Management and Territorial Planning. All three matters involved the compilation, review, and analysis of the current legal instruments in various areas to achieve the integration of a regulation project which incorporates current trends such as the 2030 Agenda, the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Escazú Agreement.

Internally, the firm has implemented several sustainability initiatives and best practices, including a zero-paper policy, the promotion of hybrid or electric vehicles, and internal training programmes to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability.

Miguel Angel Cancino Peralta, an expert in climate change, sustainable development, and territorial ecological planning, coordinates the firm’s adherence to the United Nations Global Compact. He also leads the implementation of the firm’s ESG strategy, which includes academic collaborations with universities, offering free environmental and urban legislation courses, and regular publications on topics related to the environment, sustainable development, natural protected areas, and water forest strategies.

For Biomass Green Fuels, a producer of recycled natural gas and CO2 from gases captured from landfills, the team is currently handling the development of a recycled natural gas and CO2 project which aims to establish the client as the largest provider of natural gas in the country. This initiative will significantly contribute to the utilisation of clean-fossil fuels and facilitate Puerto Rico’s transition towards cleaner energy generation.

In another recent matter, the firm advised América Móvil on the environmental permitting related to the potential construction of an artificial reef, which posed considerations for existing submarine telecommunications cables owned by the client.

On the pro bono front, the team is actively involved in supporting various non-profit relief organisations, including Habitat for Humanity, Puerto Rico X Puerto Rico, and Save the Children. These efforts focus on addressing the environmental repercussions of natural disasters such as Hurricane Maria and other environmental crises.

On a global scale, the firm maintains a dedicated Sustainability and ESG portal which serves as a resource hub, offering companies worldwide access to publications, insights, and thought leadership.

Chile

Demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, DLA Piper Chile obtained certification under ISO 14001 in December 2022. For its clients, the firm maintains a dedicated global Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance portal, designed to assist them in their transition towards a more sustainable future. The firm offers expert advice on a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues, including the acquisition, sale, and development of renewable energy projects, compliance with environmental legislation, and the implementation of electromobility strategies.

In a recent highlight, a team led by Diego Peña advised Blue Elephant Energy, a private fund specialising in energy transition investments, on the acquisition of a portfolio comprising 120 MW, consisting of 20 photovoltaic PMGD and PMG (small generation means and small distributed generation means) projects.

Marco Salgado, who leads the firm’s regional ESG practice alongside José Miguel Mendoza in the Colombian office, recently advised on the NCG 461 guidelines issued by the Comisión para el Mercado Financiero which mandate public companies and other entities supervised by the CMF to disclose their ESG policies, practices, and goals.

The firm also demonstrates solid engagement with pro bono and community work, routinely supporting sustainability-focused initiatives. Since 2023, it advises the bee-protection charity Fundación Abejas de Chile and continues to advise impact investment promotion agency GSG Nab Chile, humanitarian organisation Fundación Africa Dream, and wild cat conservation NGO Felinos Silvestres Chile.

Notably, Cecilia Amieva, who is a member of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers, is leading the team in advising 3Impacto, an organisation which seeks to connect people with nature and provide a platform to invest into environmental conservation initiatives. The firm’s advice includes designing the client’s impact business model, support towards receiving BCorp certification, and in a particular action, assisting with the purchase of land in order to put it under state control, thereby obstructing a project which would ecologically harm the area.

Amieva has also been leading the team in advising 3Vectores, the first certified B Corp in Uruguay, on its transition into a benefit corporation model, a special kind of corporation under Uruguayan law for companies with a higher social and environmental purpose.

On a pro bono basis, the firm has been working with the entre soles y lunas’ programme,  a sustainable fashion event in Uruguay. In this capacity, the firm negotiated and drafted several contracts and agreements with institutions devoted to creating awareness around environmental matters in the fashion sector.

Globally, the firm has implemented responsible consumption policies to control the impact it has on the environment across all of its offices.

Colombia

In Colombia, Ibero-American full-service firm ECIJA stands out for its work in  sustainable finance, having assisted clients with sustainable bonds issuances.  It also advises on renewable energy projects.

In an ongoing matter, key contact Lorena Garnica is acting for Fundacion Grupo Argos on a carbon bond issuance project in accordance with Colombian regulations and strict international environmental frameworks.

Recently, the firm’s environmental team assisted AndGreenFund, an organisation which aims to finance the delinking of major commodity supply chains from deforestation, with the development of a land screening process for the expansion of the client’s plantations, projected to cover circa 5,000 hectares.

The firm is also advising a client on the development of a biomass plant in Colombia, aimed at generating green energy.

Key contact Garnica is a columnist for the newspaper Ambito Juridico, writing about agrarian and environmental law in the country.

Globally, the firm implements responsible consumption policies to control the impact the firm has on the environmental across all of its offices.

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, ECIJA advises clients on various green transition and sustainability matters, including the integration of ESG principles into international investment frameworks and investments in green technologies.

In a recent highlight, the team assisted OFID, the OPEC Fund for International Development, with the approval and ratification by the Dominican Republic of the Agreement for the Encouragement and Protection of Investment. This agreement entails the incorporation of ESG principles into the legal and regulatory framework governing investments in the Dominican Republic, thereby fostering sustainable development in the region.

For TC Latin America Partners, the team is overseeing the augmentation of its paid capital in accordance with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) to advance environmental sustainability through investments in green technologies and conservation efforts.

Globally, the firm introduced a variety of ESG initiatives focused on advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Internally, the firm’s offices adopted responsible consumption policies aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of their daily operations. Externally, beginning in 2021, they forged an alliance with NGO Reforest, actively participating in global reforestation projects.

Mexico

In Mexico, ECIJA has offered a specialised service in ESG consulting and corporate social responsibility since 2020 alongside its environment practice, which is recognised for its comprehensive approach to sustainability and environmental matters and advises clients on environmental impact assessments, waste management, and energy efficiency initiatives.

In a current highlight, the firm is providing pro bono advice to the Academia Mexicana de Impacto Ambiental (AMIA). Led by Carlos del Razo, head of the firm’s environment and sustainability practice and First Vice President of AMIA’s Board of Directors, the team is assisting with the drafting of contracts and agreements pertaining to environmental impact assessments and conservation policies.

Another client is Green Business Partners, a Mexican environmental services firm delivering sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, which the firm advised on legal matters related to the acquisition of a photovoltaic park, including on the assessment of environmental impacts and associated risks.

For American multinational Krispy Kreme, the team is handling various environmental issues, including the management and disposal of banned plastic products and the development of policies for reusable bag returns and management plans.

In 2021, the firm entered into a collaboration agreement with the International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE), a prominent global institution specialising in ESG knowledge certification.

Demonstrating its commitment to environmental conservation, the firm has been actively involved in the #EcijaTeam forest initiative since 2021, a global reforestation project spanning 17 countries. Collaborating with the Benito Juárez city government, it contributed to a reforestation project in February 2023, which involved the planting of over 200 trees.

Costa Rica

Iberoamerican law firm ECIJA supports green initiatives in Costa Rica through its specialised environment & sustainability practice area, providing tax and corporate advice to leading energy sector and sustainability-focused clients.

Demonstrating her deep expertise in the clean power sector, energy and tax specialist Mariela Hernández acted for electricity cooperative Coopelesca in the integration of its two hydroelectric plants. Following the mandate, the plants will produce energy more efficiently by reducing the necessary water resources and consequently leave a lesser impact on the local environment.

Helping solve distribution challenges within the Costa Rican energy market, the energy team advised hydroelectric power company Toro Energía on its pivot to sell its generated electricity to a crypto-mining business. The matter sets an innovative precedent whereby, amid operational challenges caused by the end of state power concessions, local clean energy companies can supply their electricity to help decarbonise local energy-intensive business.

In a pro bono highlight, the firm provides notarial, corporate, and contractual advice to the National Council for Sustainability, which seeks to share and influence green best practice in the business community. With environmental expert Mercedes Sancho holding a seat on the council’s board, the firm also assists the client in examining new environmental regulations in order to best provide local members with pertinent sustainability advice.

Internally, it has implemented ESG initiatives that seek to tackle key UN Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside an alliance with the Reforest NGO, whereby the firm’s offices take part in a global tree-planting initiative, the firm has implemented responsible consumption policies which engage staff in reducing paper consumption, minimising waste, and increasing recycling.

In a recent highlight, the firm assisted Mainstream Renewable Power, a developer of renewable energy assets from Norway, Japan, and Ireland, in obtaining permits related to the construction and operation of renewable energy projects in Chile.

For Grupo Minero Las Cenizas, the firm conducted a comprehensive review of the client’s mining operations to ensure environmental compliance, and conducted the environmental assessment of a seawater transport project to the Franke mine, which aims to facilitate the transition from freshwater to seawater, reducing the consumption of freshwater in mining operations.

Another significant client is Confederación de la Producción y el Comercio, which the team is advising on sustainability and climate change issues relevant to the private sector, preparing reports on key environmental regulatory developments and trends impacting the Chilean private sector.

The firm also actively contributes to the development of public policies and environmental regulations and played a pivotal role in establishing the Sustainability and Climate Change Commission of the Confederación de Producción y Comercio. This technical body, chaired by firm founding partner Paulina Riquelme, focuses on crafting robust public policies that promote the common good and foster sustainable economic growth in Chile.

Riquelme is widely recognised for her dedication to sustainability, continuing to assist the National Mining Society (SONAMI) with training on environmental issues and advising on the implementation of environmental regulations in mining operations. She is also involved in international negotiations addressing plastic pollution under the United Nations Environment Programme, participating in sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution at the end of 2023.

In an ongoing highlight, Juanita Hernandez is assisting Ecopetrol with the implementation of a hydrogen production, compression and storage system, which will power a 50-passenger public transport bus. She has also provided the client with legal regulatory advice for the feasibility of two green hydrogen projects in Cartagena, with a capacity of 120MW.

The firm’s energy law department also recently advised Lilan Energy on the acquisition of twelve companies holding renewable energy projects in a $5m matter, supporting the client in expanding its renewables portfolio to circa 1.5GW capacity in Colombia. In another recent matter, the team assisted Solek Holding with the execution of due diligence processes on five high-profile renewable energy projects, each with an installed capacity exceeding 100MW, which contributed to the projects’ acquisitions.

Key contact Hernandez actively participates in lectures on energy-related topics such as renewable energy and green taxes at various energy associations and universities. She is also a member of the Institute for Energy Law, and a founder and board member of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Law.

In an ongoing, innovative matter, the firm is advising the Municipality of Montevideo on the structuring of a bond issuance with a value of circa $40m through a financial trust. The purpose of the issuance is to finance all of Montevideo’s public transport companies in order to replace bus fleets with electric vehicles.

In the renewable energy space, in another ongoing highlight, the firm’s project and energy team is assisting Conecta and Montevideo Gas with several green hydrogen initiatives, such as the creation of a joint venture to build a plant which will produce green hydrogen out of renewable power acquired from the electric public utility (UTE). The team is also acting for a client with a major project to produce biofuels for the European markets.

Key contact Sebastian Ramos co-heads the region’s ESG practice, and Cristina Vignone leads the firm’s environmental law team, and is a member of the Environmental Law Commission of the Uruguayan Bar Association.

Together with the Universidad Catolica del Uruguay (UCU), the firm has created and launched the Ferrere-UCU ESG Centre, which will develop research, training and communication on ESG matters.

The firm as a whole is a member of the UN Global Compact. Ramos is secretary general of Pacto Global Uruguay, the local network of the UN Global Compact.

Paraguay

Multi-jurisdictional, South American law firm Ferrere in Paraguay often advises clients in conservation projects across the country, with a particular focus in the forestry sector.

The firm’s environmental practice in Paraguay, led by Guillermo Jover, is advising a client with a potential investment into a native forest conservation project, which is to be certified as a REDD+ carbon credit project. The team is also assisting a client in relation to the partial acquisition of shares in a sustainability-linked fund with investments in the forestry sector and carbon market in Paraguay, and another client with respect to the development of a long-term native forest conservation and carbon credit project.

The firm’s Asunción office recently organised an event regarding emission offsets and the future of the carbon credit voluntary market, including a discussion about how the market will and should be regulated in Paraguay.

Key contact Marcelo Rodriguez is a senior associate whose practice focuses on environmental litigation and compliance. He is a registered environmental consultant with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay.

Across all of its offices, the firm is a member of the UN Global Compact.

The firm has considerable expertise in advising on alternative energy sources and decarbonisation projects. Here, it was recently entrusted with assisting on the development of a LNG, Storage, Regasification and Distribution Terminal, facilitating the supply of natural gas to industrial and commercial plants, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

In the sustainable finance space, a client is Grupo Bimbo, for which Guillermo Pérez Santiago led on a $275m revolving credit and guaranty agreement for the client as initial borrower, aimed to meet environmental ESG targets and increase its liquidity.

In another recently concluded matter, the team advised a range of clients as lenders, including BBVA México, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA México, and Banco Santander México, on a secured syndicated loan agreement aimed at constructing a sustainable new hotel in Riviera Maya.

The firm’s sustainability committee collaborates closely with the ESG coordinating team and the pro bono committee to implement internal sustainability strategies and initiatives. This includes the firm’s ‘Environment & Sustainability Model’, an institutional programme integrating ESG standards and objectives in line with the UN Global Compact principles.

In an ongoing highlight, key individual Oscar Iván González is advising Refoenergy Villanueva on its strategy and procedure to obtain tax incentives for one of the first large-scale biomass projects developed in Colombia, with the capacity of circa 25MW.

Earlier in 2024, the firm assisted Termotasajero with the granting of tax incentives for its first solar plant in Colombia. It also advised Plastipack, one of the largest actors in the plastic sector in Colombia, on the tax restructuring of its business, intended to adapt to the recently enacted single-use plastics tax, which aims to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics.

Notably, the firm has participated in a number of meetings with the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Colombian Association of Renewable Energy to analyse tax policy proposals regarding the appropriate treatment and incentives to be granted to renewable energy and environmental initiatives. Furthermore, throughout 2023, the firm, together with Empresas Sura, continued to identify opportunities on how the application of certain tax benefits may help boost company’s sustainability and environmental initiatives.

In November 2023, Gonzales was selected as the speaker for the International Taxation Congress organised by the International Fiscal Association (IFA) to discuss the future of environmental taxation in Latin America.

In a recent notable matter, the team advised Engie on the establishment of a green hydrogen power plant within Walmart’s distribution centre. This project marks the first operational industrial green hydrogen endeavour in Latin America.

For Agua-Sol, a subsidiary of the listed Israeli company Solaer Renewables Energies, the firm is handling the acquisition and development of a project that integrates a reverse osmosis desalination plant with a photovoltaic plant and a large reservoir, conducting thorough environmental assessments and ensuring compliance with water rights regulations.

Another client is Ecoprial, a landfill which receives the waste produced by several industries in the South of Chile. Here, the team advised on a project to transform the traditional landfill into a modern biodigester system through anaerobic digestion by converting waste into a soil conditioner for agricultural use.

The firm also continues to support Fundación San Carlos de Maipo, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving the Batuco Wetland. It is currently assisting the client in formulating proposals to extend the Nature Sanctuary and developing legal strategies to secure a clean water supply essential for the wetland’s preservation.

Through its ‘Guerrero Olivos Sustentable’ programme, the firm remains actively engaged in social initiatives with a sustainability focus. Externally, it has established several partnerships with organisations such as the Chilean Association of Small and Medium Hydroelectric Power Plants and the Chilean Association of Renewable Energies and Energy Storage, where Felipe Frühling serves as counsellor, while Clemente Pérez is a board member. Pérez also contributes to Climatech, the Chilean Climate Technologies Association, which aims to leverage technology to address environmental challenges.

On an ongoing basis, Correa is advising the Inter-American Development Bank on a consultancy project aimed at evaluating the potential for carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) technologies in the country. The initiative is part of Colombia’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, as declared during COP21. The firm analysed the current regulatory framework surrounding CCUS and identified the necessary regulatory and policy adjustments to facilitate the development of CCUS projects in the country.

In another ongoing matter, the firm is assisting Universidad del Rosario’s Legal Clinic with a collaboration focusing on an environmental protection initiative aimed at safeguarding the mangrove ecosystem in Choco, an area severely impacted by illegal natural resource exploration. The firm supports the initiative by helping them navigate the complexities of environmental law.

Recently, the firm’s energy and natural resources team assisted Atlas Renewable Energy Colombia and Isagen with their joint venture which aims to develop around 1GW of renewable energy projects in Colombia, diversifying the country’s energy sources.

Notably, the firm supports multiple clients with the implementation of the Transparency and Business Ethics Program (PTEE) into their operations. For WWF Colombia, the firm’s advice aimed to promote the ethical management of environmental conservation funds, enhancing the organisation’s impact on biodiversity preservation.

In line with its green transition work, the group is assisting ACCIONA ENERGÍA PERÚ with all aspects, including licencing and power concessions, of the development of the San Juan de Marcona wind power plant in Ica, which will have an installed capacity of 131.1 MW.

In support of Peru’s sustainable development, the team is advising the Republic of Peru on one of the first green issuances in Peruvian history regarding the exchange of its outstanding sovereign debt. The issuance is eligible for green and social categories, though will predominantly be aimed at ‘solarizing’ its debt. 

Furthermore, as an affiliate of the Pro Bono Alliance, the firm shows a demonstrable commitment to work within this space. It recently entered into an agreement with the Peruvian Chamber of Commerce of Indigenous Communities to advise on the development of several carbon projects in the Peruvian Amazon, providing carbon market trading to indigenous people and drafting a carbon trade agreement between the local entrepreneurs and potential interested buyers regarding the allocation of carbon credits. With the new addition of Javier de Belaunde, a member of the drafting committee of the Pro Bono Declaration for the Americas, to the team, the firm is hoping to engage in further work in this area.

Internally, it has also implemented various energy and waste reduction initiatives in the office in pursuit of a more sustainable future. 

In a current matter, the team is conducting legal due diligence for Libienergi, encompassing regulatory and land processes for the establishment of a 100 MWn photovoltaic power plant in the Dajabon province.

Another notable client in this field is BlackTree Capital Energy, for which the firm conducted legal due diligence for regulatory proceedings concerning a photovoltaic power plant project with capacities of 101.152 MWp and 82.888 MWn. This initiative aligns with the Dominican Republic’s sustainable development objectives by contributing to the diversification of the energy mix and facilitating the transition from fossil fuels to renewables.

For GP Capital Partners, the team advised on the financing of the second phase of the Monte Plata Solar project in Monte Plata province, boasting a total capacity of 60 MWn. The matter was led by Katherine Rosa and Gisselle Valera, both recognised for their proficiency in the renewable energy sector. Rosa is regularly invited to speak on energy-related topics at international events such as Renpower Caribbean 2019 and Renpower Caribbean Investors 2021.

Internally, the firm has a sustainability committee which oversees the implementation of environmentally-friendly measures in their offices in line with the firm’s environmental conservation policy.

For The Carbon Trust, the firm is advising on various net-zero projects spanning multiple industries, while for Prodiel it recently facilitated the completion of Mexico’s second-largest operational solar farm. Together with EHV and Veolia, it is currently pioneering a circular economy project aimed at transforming hundreds of scrap cars into electric vehicles and utilising organic waste to generate energy.

Another significant client is Ecozona del Centro Histórico de Cuernavaca. A team including Luis Miguel Ramírez Ruggeberg, who was recently appointed president of the Energy Transition and Climate Committee of the first Ecozone in the Continent and president of the Citizen Council of the Ecozone, is analysing state regulations on environmental matters and implementing clean energy public transportation, transitioning to solar energy, sustainable reforestation, and carbon capture methods.

Ruggeberg and Luis Enrique Rangel, a member of the sustainability subcommission of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, are also advising nature investment startup Cultivo on the structuring of several multibillion USD nature-based investment projects in Mexico focusing on sustainable grazing, reforestation, and carbon capture.

The firm is a founding member of the Sustainability Committee of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and of the Legal ESG Group of the British Chamber of Commerce. Externally, it participates in native reforestation and electromobility projects through its engagement in the first Citizen Council of the Ecozone in Cuernavaca. It has established several strategic partnerships, including with solar technology company LONGI and environmental solutions’ leader Veolia.

Its pro bono association, The LHO Global Foundation, focuses on carbon offset and natural restoration projects.

Internally, the firm’s offices have been LEED Platinum certified since 2018, with a dedicated sustainable committee overseeing activities.

In a recent matter, the firm advised PARQUES LOGISTICOS EFFITEK on a $48m loan, structured by IDB Invest, for the construction of four sustainable warehouses powered by photovoltaic energy in the outskirts of Quito, contributing to the country’s social and environmental development plan.

The team has also assisted multiple clients in the renewable energy and waste management sector on tax relief matters.

Of its pro bono work, the firm has recently advised Favorita Foundation, a non-profit organisation which seeks to identify and solve environmental problems and policies, working towards the sustainable management of resources, promoting the restoration and conservation of water sources and planting endemic trees in urban and rural areas.

Internally, the firm engages in efforts to reduce its environmental impact, limiting its energy consumption and waste production through using LED lights and implementing recycling and waste management measures.

Recently, the team advised Banco de Bogota on the issuance of floating rate subordinated sustainability bonds with a total value of $230m, the proceeds of which will be used to finance social and environmental projects in compliance with the ICMA Green Bond Principles. For its green portfolio, the client will finance green buildings, energy efficiency projects, and sustainable agriculture in Colombia.

The firm is also assisting a Norwegian company dedicated to the generation of renewable energy with the acquisition of a company specialising in infrastructure project development. In work which is crucial for promoting the continued investment in the country’s renewable energy sector, the firm reviewed 13 renewable energy projects to determine their compliance status with regulatory requirements and obligations, among other matters.

In 2023, the firm’s office in Bogota collaborated on a case study with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at LSE, which analysed corruption risks in climate action, with the focus of improving Colombia’s implementation of monitoring initiatives to prevent greenwashing. In the thought leadership space, it also recently launched the third edition of Colombia’s legal and environmental affairs magazine, Green Wise, which addresses ESG-related issues to help companies on their corporate sustainability journeys.

The firm is a partner to the ProBono Colombia foundation, supporting initiatives such as Pro-Archipelago, an NGO aiming to speed up the sustainable development of Archipelagos. Its commitment to sustainability in its Colombian office is reinforced by its ISO 14001 certification.

José Miguel Mendoza and Camila Del Villar lead the firm’s energy and natural resources practice area, and environmental law and sustainable development team respectively.

Recently, the firm assisted Grupo Aeropuertario del Centro Norte (OMA) with the issuance of sustainability linked long-term local bonds amounting to MXN 3,200m, aligning with the company’s Sustainable Performance Goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 58% per passenger by December 2025.

In another notable transaction, the team advised multiple purchasers including BBVA, BofA, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Santander, and Scotia in Fibra Uno’s issuance of $600m senior unsecured Green Notes, reserved for financing eligible green projects.

Currently, it is advising the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation on a $30m finance agreement with LAAD to support small and medium agri-business enterprises in Latin America in the promotion of sustainable practices and renewable energy generation projects.

The firm is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and engages in pro bono work for various sustainability-focused organisations, including the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Mujeres en Energía Renovable y Eficiente. It also recently assisted Hagamos Composta, a social enterprise whose aim is to reduce GHG emissions through urban solid waste collection and composting.

Internally, the firm actively participates in ESG and sustainability-related programmes. It has been working with with BIVA and Social Value Institute in co-establishing the Acceleration Program – CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer), providing Mexican company executives with theoretical sessions and strategic tools to enhance their ESG capabilities. Additionally, it co-sponsored and spoke at their Sustainable Business Executive Program.

A key client is Avanzalia Panama, which operates the 120 MW Penonomé solar project. Projects expert Ramón Varela leads the team in advising the client on the structuring of a $150m green corporate bond issuance, which will attract sustainability-conscious investors to support the project’s ongoing operations. The team is also advising Avanzalia on the Penonomé project’s second phase, which will further boost the country’s clean electricity profile by adding an additional 125 MW of renewable energy capacity.

Supporting the growth of Panama’s clean energy matrix and the adoption of renewable electricity among energy-intensive consumers, energy specialist Ana Carolina Castillo advised renewables solutions company Greenwood Energy Central America across its solar operations in Panama. The matter involved negotiating an EPC and O&M agreement for a 40 MW photovoltaic park and securing a $30m financing from Global Bank Corporation to develop the plants, whose energy will be sold to the University of Panama under a PPA.

The firm also continues to provide pro bono support to Marea Verde, assisting in the implementation of its Wanda system. The solar-powered project collects and removes solid waste from the Juan Diaz river, protecting the health of the river ecosystem and consequently preventing waste from reaching the ocean.

Owing to its eco-friendly LEED Gold-certified office, internal circular economy initiatives and workshops, and direct purchasing of clean electricity, the firm has been certified as carbon neutral by the Ministry of Environment since 2021. The firm further participates in the ministry’s ‘Reduce Your Corporate Footprint’ programme, which supports and verifies leading domestic companies in minimising their carbon emissions and water usage.

In a current matter, the firm is advising UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate alongside British multinational services firm ARUP and Fonadin on the amendment of Mexico’s Municipal Solid Waste Program (PRORESOL) to finance several waste management projects. The firm also facilitated Elektra’s issuance of sustainability linked bonds totalling approximately $143.5m under its 2023 debt program.

Another client is BBVA, Mexico’s largest financial institution, for which a team consisting of ESG practice area leader Yves Hayaux du Tilly and Ana Paula Telleria is developing a training programme related to the implementation of climate governance principles and the development of a climate strategy.

Externally, the firm is involved in several initiatives, including The Chancery Lane Project and the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI). It is also one of the founding members of Chapter Zero Mexico, the local chapter of the CGI, which aims to foster climate governance awareness among Mexican directors to transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.

Hayaux du Tilly serves as president of the Executive Committee of Chapter Zero Mexico and was recently elected member of the Governing Board of the CGI, being part of the editors of the “Chairman’s Guide to a Just Transition” and the “Chairman’s Guide to Valuing Nature” published by the WEF, in collaboration with Deloitte and the CGI.

The firm continues to contribute to various other sustainability and net-zero emissions publications. In July 2023, it participated in the third edition of the Primer on Climate Change, highlighting board directors’ climate obligations and the necessity to integrate climate change into corporate strategies in compliance with company law.

In a current highlight, the team is supporting Streamline Integrated Energy in obtaining a Power Purchase Agreement for one of the first municipal solid waste revalorisation plants in the Caribbean, boasting a total generation capacity of 55 MW. Additionally, the team is managing the client’s requests for the renewal of the construction period extension of the project concession and modifying the environmental licence to align with solid waste law requirements.

In the energy transition space, the team recently assisted Trelia Energy Advisors in designing and structuring a regulated, publicly listed investment fund for the development of energy transition projects. These projects play a pivotal role in curbing the Dominican Republic’s electric sector’s total CO2 emissions, meeting escalating energy demands, and contributing to national economic growth.

The firm also actively contributes to thought leadership by regularly publishing discussions on various topics, including green bonds, waste management, and electricity. Emily Sucart, a specialist in renewable energy, also serves on the board of the Energy and Hydrocarbons Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic.

In an ongoing matter, the team is advising Productora H2 Bolivia on the acquisition of a disused mining project – along with the company that owns it – and all aspects of the development of a green ammonia plant powered by a 2GW solar plant in its place, expected to produce 0.4 MTPA of ammonia annually.

The firm’s sustainable development portfolio is also noteworthy, having recently advised Agence Française de Développement on a €200m financing to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, which will fund its Economic and Social Development Plan, supporting a transition to renewable energy and a strategy to manage its forests and protected reserves. It also recently assisted Fundación Avina with drafting a memorandum to safeguard its loan to Fundación Nativa, used to acquire a plot of land to establish a new natural reserve in Bolivia.

Through the firm’s pro bono programme, led by Lindsay Sykes, the team recently advised Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network, a global organisation focused on women’s rights and climate justice.

As a UN Global Compact member, the firm shows commitment to responsible business practices, taking active steps to reduce its environmental impact with the help of its dedicated sustainability committee.

Of its green transition portfolio, the firm assisted Generación Eléctrica Rio Biavo in acquiring concessions needed to develop the Alto Biavo hydroelectric power plant, which will have an installed capacity of 302 MW, and subsequently provided a report for the leading energy consultancy firm Hinicio, on the legal, regulatory and permitting requirements needed to develop a green hydrogen project in Peru.

An affiliate of the Alianza Pro Bono, the firm also regularly engages with pro bono work for social and environmental causes. It recently advised Bosques Amazonicos on the issuance of corporate bonds through its sustainable bond programme, working to protect and restore the Amazon and its ecosystems. 

Taking responsibility for its own impact, the firm annually calculates its resource consumption, along with its production of carbon emissions and at the start of 2023 was the first full-service firm in Peru to obtain the Carbon Footprint certification granted by the Ministry of Environment. 

Furthermore, through the launch of its ‘Escuela Verde’ (Green School), a summer legal programme for law students across Peru, the firm is working to raise awareness of issues within environmental law, educating students on biodiversity and environmental crimes in support of a sustainable future.

Paula Susanna Amaral Mello and Tiago A. D. Themudo Lessa are leading the team in advising Reservas Votorantim on the development of a partnership with consulting firm ECCON Soluções Ambientais, focusing on the pioneer project PSA Carbonflor, which establishes standards for a carbon calculation method specifically designed for Brazilian biomes, such as the Atlantic Forest. The project is expected to advance the carbon and environmental services market in the country by giving investors a more accurate methodology.

In a cross-border matter, the environment team is assisting MyCarbon with the structuring of its programme Renove, expected to be one of the first certified carbon credits projects in Brazil under the Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management by NGO Verra. The programme aims to generate carbon credits through the improved agricultural land management within livestock-raising farms, positively impacting the supply chain of beef production.

The team is also acting for Genomines on its sustainable biotechnology project, which creates biologically enhanced plants for sustainable mining by using synthetic biology to improve plants’ ability to extract metals while remediating land.

Key contact and environmental law and sustainability expert Mello is also known for her book examining the fundamental right to the integrity of the environment. Lessa leads the firm’s agribusiness practice, and is a member of the Agribusiness Policies Committee of the Climate Bonds Initiative. Senior associate and environmental lawyer Natalia Azevedo de Carvalho has taken part in initiatives towards the development of ESG guidance, such as the State of São Paulo’s proposed Climate Change Action policy.

A significant client in the latter space is Fundación Rewilding Argentina, a key contributor to national and international conservation efforts. The team is currently advising on the donation process of land parcels to the Argentine Government, aiming to establish new national parks and protected areas in the Ibera and Patagonia regions of Argentina. In 2023, the team assisted the foundation in drafting public agreements related to environmental matters, including the reintroduction of species such as jaguars and mash deer into the Ibera National Park and Impenetrable National Park.

For Mercuria, the team facilitated the negotiation, drafting, and execution of an Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) with the Province of Misiones. This agreement allows the client to acquire carbon credits under the REDD+ Standard, a UN program targeting emissions reduction from deforestation and forest degradation.

The team also regularly supports clients in marine conservation efforts, aiding in the development and implementation of regulations concerning marine protected areas. In 2023, it supported Fundación Por El Mar, an organisation dedicated to defending and safeguarding marine environments and coastlines, on the establishment of an inter-jurisdictional national park in collaboration with the Province of Santa Cruz and the national government. The matter was led by a team including head of the firm’s environment department Nicole Jaureguiberry, whose extensive expertise in environmental matters, particularly in natural protected areas, sustainability, and climate change, was honed during her previous role as General Counsel of the National Parks Service in Argentina.

A recent highlight in this space is the advice provided to Moon Palace Resorts on a complex tourist project to be developed in the La Altagracia province, where the team conducted environmental impact assessments, particularly focusing on environmentally sensitive areas such as the mangrove forest.

Another client is Amanera Resort, for which the firm acted as environmental consultant before the Ministry of the Environment regarding permits and other environmental compliance regulations.

Founding partner and head of the firm’s environmental and regulatory practice Romina Santroni is currently leading, together with chair of the firm’s environment and sustainable development department Guily Shemer, on an innovative sustainable real estate project for Grupo Cellin. The project centres on the development of Ocoa Bay, integrating tourism and winemaking initiatives aimed at reviving vine cultivation and wine production while safeguarding the surrounding environment, particularly the dry forest ecosystem.

In 2023, the firm’s office achieved bronze-level certification under the All-Legal Industry Sustainability Standard (ALISS), a self-assessment which acknowledges law firms’ efforts to promote energy efficiency and resource conservation.

A key client is non-governmental organisation Tropical Science Center, which manages Costa Rica’s tropical reserves while raising awareness of green stewardship in the local community. Within the mandate, the environmental team assisted in reviewing and amending the client’s corporate and environmental guidelines, ensuring it remains in-line with sustainability best practices.

Javier Escalante continues to lead the firm’s advice to the Work With Nature Foundation, which focuses on the conservation and protection of Costa Rican rainforests and their biodiversity. The support has focused on redesigning the foundation’s corporate structure and gaining the legal permits to conduct scientific research in local reserves, thereby assisting the client in boosting knowledge and technical understanding surrounding local biological resources.

In an ongoing pro bono matter, the firm is acting for the Neighbour’s Association of Hermosa Beach in its work to create a surfing destination built around sustainability and the local community. For the project, the environmental team assisted in obtaining the permits and authorisations necessary to sustainably utilise municipal land.

To broaden and further boost its engagement across the sustainability landscape, the firm participates in business organisations including the Sustainability Commission of the Costa Rican Chamber of Industry and the Hydrogen Commission of the German-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce.

To mitigate its operational carbon footprint, it recently launched a sustainable purchasing initiative, complementing its existing programmes to create a more sustainable office space, implement an effective recycling programme, and engage staff through green workshops.

Recently, the firm advised a client who works in the conservation sector, on conducting an assessment of possible environmental instruments that could be explored amidst concessions of forest restoration projects, generating financial returns that could in turn be used for further environmental purposes. The team also analysed the mechanisms of bio credits from the Kunmig-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework from COP 15.

In the sustainable finance space, the firm assisted a client with the issuance of green bonds; the proceeds will be used to develop and operate renewables projects in Brazil.  In the agribusiness sector, the firm is advising a client on the issuance of Green Agribusiness Receivables Certificates (CRA); resources received from the sale of credits to back the CRA will be used to further expand the client’s sustainable operations.

The firm’s climate change and business & human rights practice groups are currently reviewing a partnership agreement related to a REED+ carbon credits project to be located in the state of Para.

Internally, the firm has a Carbon-Neutral badge for offsetting CO2 emissions through the trading of carbon credits. In an innovative initiative in the firm’s São Paulo office, its non-hazardous solid waste is collected weekly and sent to ADERE, which transforms the material into objects that are later sold.

In a current highlight, a team comprising Edmond Grieger and Roberto Flores is advising Grupo Modelo, a major Mexican brewery company, on various water-related issues, wastewater treatment, and environmental compliance, alongside procurement of renewable energy.

Another important client is Invenergy LLC, which the team continues to advise on environmental permits for the development of a portfolio of more than 1.5 GW energy generation projects, primarily from renewable sources.

Grieger also continues to advise BMW Group on all environmental compliance matters, including those related to national air emission standards, environmental compliance audits from the Federal Environmental Agency to the operation of its brand-new state-of-the-art facility in San Luis Potosí, and environmental permits for the construction and development of a state-of-the-art on-site solar PV power plant.

As part of its dedication to sustainability and environmental conservation, the firm provides pro bono assistance to Ríos Limpios to develop a robust environmental litigation strategy to protect critical ecosystems in the Valley of Mexico. It also supports Amigos de Sian Ka’an with three significant projects aimed at conserving ecosystems in the Mayan Riviera, including the implementation of a solar photovoltaic initiative in Punta Allen, Quintana Roo, fostering environmental sustainability and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

In the latter space, the firm was involved in the discussion of a bill on carbon mitigation projects and credits which was recently approved by the Congress and then the Executive.

For Ecosecurities, a Swiss developer of carbon emission reduction projects, the firm’s environment team, led by Rodrigo Fernández and Rodolfo Vouga, drafted a memo on the Paraguayan legal landscape concerning the development of carbon reduction projects, which are novel in the region. The team is also assisting the same client with the due diligence of different producers willing to participate in emission reduction projects developed by the client in the country.

In the forestry sector, the firm is acting for Paracel on a $4bn matter, consisting of the preparation, filing and follow-up of several forestry permit applications for the forestation of different lands across nearly 100,000 hectares in North Paraguay. It has also recently helped the same client by providing legal training to its forestry team with a focus on environmental matters.

In a pro bono capacity, the firm assists Sistema B Paraguay, the NGO responsible for fostering and certifying B corps in the region.