Editor's welcome
Welcome to the Green Hub, the first and only single platform dedicated entirely to exploring the legal sector’s engagement with a green transition. From ESG and sustainability to climate action and net-zero, here you will find private practice and in-house perspectives on the move towards a greener economy.
If you’d like to contribute to the content on our hub or would like to provide any feedback, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Anna Bauböck, Editor, Global Green Guide
Blogs
ESG in the DNA – embedding green purpose in law firm business
With ESG having risen to prominence in the legal industry, law firms’ climate-conscious credentials are now under the spotlight more than ever more. On the back of two years of research for the Legal 500 Green Guide, editor Anna Bauböck takes stock of the firms featured in the current editions and showcases the greenest of the green
Raising the Bar: The Role of Barristers and their Chambers in the Climate Crisis and Green Transition
The article highlights influential work done by barristers and their chambers to fight against climate change and drive the green transition. Examples are from 39 Essex Chambers, Cornerstone Barristers, Doughty Street Chambers, Matrix Chambers and Twenty Essex.
The role of lawyers in the green transition: Six ways of making a positive impact
Maya Sainani explores six ways how lawyers can make a positive impact in the green transition
Navigating ESG Politics: The US Predicament
Olivia Hart investigates the anti-ESG movement in the US. The article explores how the politicization of ESG has divided US states, creating a varied and unpredictable regulatory landscape which law firms and their clients must navigate.
Demanding trust from carbon offsets: why the legal sector must diligently interact with the Voluntary Carbon Market to support global decarbonisation
Harry Hyde explores how the legal sector can utilise emerging best practices in the carbon offset market to help realise necessary positive change
Navigating Post-Brexit Environmental Legislation in the UK: Challenges and Opportunities
Maya Sainani looks at the future of environmental law and protection in the UK
Sustainable finance hub Singapore
David Koehne speaks to Allen & Gledhill about Singapore’s efforts to position itself as green finance hub in the region
The Devil Wears (Sustainable) Prada – all eyes on fashion’s sustainability claims
Amy Ulliott takes a closer look at moves to legislate sustainable fashion.
Can lawyers make dispute resolution greener?
Laura Pollard examines law firms’ pledges to greener litigation and arbitration, and the path to greener dispute resolution.
Breaking the unsustainable chain
James Field takes a closer look at the proposed Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.
To B or not to B Corp – that is the question law firms may want to ask themselves
Anna Bauböck looks at purpose-led business practice and why some firms seek B Corp status.
Navigating a greener future – The promise and challenge of maritime ETS
Clara Mozes examines how the shipping industry, a sector that has traditionally not earned a reputation for being very environmentally friendly, is navigating a greener future.
Navigating ESG issues – The ever-increasing need for ESG expertise
Laura Pollard examines the increasingly prominent need for law firms to have in-house ESG and sustainability expertise.
Do cryptocurrencies have a place in the sustainable investment movement?
Amy Ulliott looks at a somewhat inevitable collision course between cryptoassets and a more green-conscious approach.
Poland’s long journey towards a green transition
David Koehne investigates the positive developments Poland is taking to embrace esg policies.
Law Firm Carbon Footprints: What are firms doing to reach net zero?
With the race to reduce carbon emissions at the top of the global agenda, Barnaby Merrill looks at what law firms are doing to mitigate climate change.
Amnesia and supply chains: the German law that brings due diligence back into focus
Chris Vlachopoulos looks at the new "LkSG" German law that puts supply chains under scrutiny.
ESG Colourwashing – why leadership with integrity is necessary to combat corporate hypocrisy
The Legal 500 Deutschland and Global Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck talks to widely respected The Legal 500 Germany GC Powerlist alumnus and internationally acclaimed head of legal Timo Matthias Spitzer, LL.M. (Wellington) about the introduction of ESG principles in business strategies and a resulting potential proliferation of so-called “ESG colourwashing”.
Green is the new black
Amy Ulliott, The Legal 500's Caribbean and Nordics editor, discusses how Norway is standing out as a leader among nations in its dedication to renewable energy and sustainability.
ESG in the DACH region: from soft topic to hard fact
While ESG concerns climb higher on DACH region companies’ agendas, one of the main challenges continues to be the directive – or rather the lack thereof.
Most recent guides
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Sustainable Conversations
A video series that explores the legal sector’s perspectives on finding a balance between business practices and the health of our planet. In short and to-the-point interviews, legal professionals share their crucial thoughts on net-zero, ESG and sustainability.
Stephen Townley
Harry Hyde is joined by ESG and intangible assets special counsel Stephen Townley. Townley has married his personal environmental commitments, particularly in building supply chain sustainability through regenerative farming, with his exceptional track-record in sports law and now positions himself at a truly fascinating juncture: how ESG and sport interact as a new risk landscape.
Nina Elomaa
As part of The Legal 500’s Sustainable Conversations Series, Lia Heasman, Counsel, ESG at Castrén & Snellman sits down with Nina Elomaa, Chief Sustainability Officer at S-ryhmä/S Group to discuss corporate sustainability due diligence, and how the landscape is evolving for companies across Europe.
Kari Hietanen
Harry Hyde sits down with Kari Hietanen, executive vice president of corporate relations & legal affairs at Wärtsilä, to discuss the triumphs and trends of his environmental sustainability journey.
Hietanen offers an insight into best practices for in-house counsel. the impact of ESG for globalised businesses, and his role as a legal sustainability leader.
Maree Myerscough
We engage in a captivating conversation with Maree Myerscough, Chief Operation Officer and General Counsel at Aquila Clean Energy APAC, for a compelling interview about her unwavering dedication to sustainability, as well as a comprehensive overview of her company’s sustainability strategy and achievements.
Ilona Karppinen and Ralf Lindbäck
Ilona Karppinen, Partner at Castrén & Snellman, speaks to Ralf Lindbäck, Managing Counsel at Wärtsilä Corporation, about integrating ESG into dispute management.
Anushree Tripathi: Part 2
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to climate change law consultant Anushree Tripathi about the opportunities created by a green, just and equitable transition in India.
Anushree Tripathi: Part 1
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to climate change law consultant Anushree Tripathi about the challenges in connection with a green, just and equitable transition in India.
Carlos Landazabal Angeli
The Legal 500 speaks to Carlos Landazabal Angeli, Compliance and Data Protection Manager EMEA MSS at Canadian Solar, about how in-house lawyers can drive the energy transition in an organisation.
Caroline Pontoppidan
The Legal 500 speaks to Caroline Pontoppidan, executive vice president, general counsel and head of corporate affairs at Maersk, to discuss the impact of ESG and geopolitics on legal and compliance.
Roberta Downey and Kai-Uwe Karl: Part 2
Roberta Downey, Partner & Head of International Construction at Vinson & Elkins speaks to Kai-Uwe Karl, Global Chief Litigation Counsel at GE Renewable Energy about how dispute resolution must adapt to climate change and the energy transition.
Roberta Downey and Kai-Uwe Karl: Part 1
Roberta Downey, Partner & Head of International Construction at Vinson & Elkins speaks to Kai-Uwe Karl, Global Chief Litigation Counsel at GE Renewable Energy about whether our dispute resolution system is ready to cope with the increasing need for environmental disputes.
Anna Bauböck and Diane Gilhooley
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Diane Gilhooley, global ESG co-head at Eversheds Sutherland, about recent ESG trends and the impact on the legal community.
Olivia Hart and Kirsty Green-Mann
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart talks to Kirsty Green-Mann, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Burges Salmon, about how law firms can really ‘walk the talk’ and become more sustainable.
Olivia Hart and Michael Barlow
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Michael Barlow, partner in Burges Salmon’s environment team, about how law firms can support clients in their Net Zero and ESG journeys.
Olivia Hart and Rajesh Sreenivasan
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Rajesh Sreenivasan at Rajah & Tann about the interplay between technology, data and ESG in Asean.
Olivia Hart and Loh Yong Hui
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Loh Yong Hui at Rajah & Tann about the drivers and challenges associated with the energy transition in the ASEAN region.
Olivia Hart and Lee Weilin
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Lee Weilin, banking & finance partner and head of sustainability at Rajah & Tann, about sustainable finance trends and challenges in the ASEAN region.
Olivia Hart and Dr Tada Zukas
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Dr Tadas Zukas, Global Lead Senior Legal Counsel Sustainability/ESG at Vontobel, Switzerland, about understanding greenwashing.
Olivia Hart and Emma Jelley
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Emma Jelley, director and coach at Bright Blu Dot, about maintaining momentum and stamina in ESG work.
Samuli Tarkiainen and Nora Steiner-Forsberg
Samuli Tarkiainen, partner at Castrén & Snellman, speaks to Nora Steiner-Forsberg, GC at Fortum Corporation, about the Nordic energy transition and what role lawyers should play.
Olivia Hart and Thomas Jelley
Green Guide senior researcher Olivia Hart speaks to Thomas Jelley, founder of Bright Blu Dot, on ‘Getting to Grips with ESG, without the OMG’, discussing the changing regulatory landscape from a consultancy perspective.
Anna Bauböck and Katie Smart
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Katie Smart, General Counsel & Company Secretary at Tarmac, about the opportunity in corporations doing the right thing.
Anna Bauböck and Kenny Robertson
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Kenny Robertson, Head of Outsourcing, Technology & IP legal team at NatWest, about role modelling a learning culture around climate transition.
Anna Bauböck and Alberto Ninio
Green Guide editor Anna Bauböck speaks to Alberto Ninio, General Counsel at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, about finding the fortitude to implement ESG policies.
Michelle Beckers
The Global Green Guide met Michelle Beckers, General Counsel at Sphera, to discuss the evolving importance of ESG and the power of customers.
More ESG Content
‘What sort of profession do we want to have?’ – young Black lawyers on diversity, inclusion, and what needs to be done
‘There’s lawyers all over the world. The question isn’t whether or not Black people can be lawyers. The question is, what is it about England and Wales that means that Black lawyers don’t get the same opportunities as their white counterparts? And there’s no way to explain that other than racism.’ This comment from one …
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Legal 500 UK ESG Awards 2025 – nominations now open
Nominations are now open for the Legal 500 UK ESG Awards 2025, following a highly successful debut last year. The event will celebrate exceptional contributions to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives within the legal sector. The awards will take place on Tuesday 25 March 2025 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. Submissions are open …
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‘Why not me?’ – the law firms leading the way in the Social Mobility Employer Index
Browne Jacobson has topped the 2024 Social Mobility Employer Index with Slaughter and May, Linklaters, Lewis Silkin, Norton Rose Fulbright and Freshfields all ranking within the top 10. In total, 25 law firms have made it into the Index’s top 75 employers, with other notable inclusions including Macfarlanes (13), Clifford Chance (14), CMS (17), Ashurst (20), …
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ESG in Switzerland: Schellenberg Wittmer Q&A
In the last two years, how has the ESG practice group grown at the firm? Anya George: One notable characteristic of our group now is that it is truly multidisciplinary. We possess expertise in both transactional matters and disputes. In recent years, we have placed increased emphasis on financial market regulation, greenwashing, and carbon credits—areas …
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‘Clients are not only seeking legal expertise but also looking for firms that practice what they preach’ – ESG Q&A: Herbert Smith Freehills
Could you share some examples of innovative ways Herbert Smith Freehills is working with clients in the ESG space? Silke Goldberg: At Herbert Smith Freehills, we are actively engaging with our clients in the ESG space through innovative tools like our Global ESG Tracker and ESRS Navigator. With the Global ESG Tracker, we offer clients …
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ESG: Evolution or revolution?
Jonathan Bower, partner, planning and infrastructure team leader and partner lead for net zero by 2030 strategy at Womble Bond Dickinson, sets out the case for a clear ESG vision with a focus on inspiring behavioural change Historical events have often led to transformative changes. The Industrial Revolution was one such moment and, today, we’re …
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The ESG report 2024
Sponsored by Overview: Beyond ‘nice to have’ – ESG goes business fundamental Amid a tsunami of regulation and snowballing client demand, law firms are assembling ESG practices to take on the world, while also grappling with the challenges of getting their own houses in order. LB reports on the results of its fourth annual ESG …
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Beyond ‘nice to have’ – ESG goes business fundamental
‘In the old days, it was about having a nice brochure with some green pictures, but then getting on with the serious matter of running our business. We’ve moved way beyond that now – it’s a business fundamental now.’ Norton Rose Fulbright head of environment, health and safety, Europe, Middle East and Asia, Caroline May …
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What Gen Z lawyers really want from their careers
Gen Z – including its lawyers – are often characterised as being overly concerned about the social and political issues that come under the ESG umbrella. It’s an issue that was discussed at Legal Business’s April Enterprise GC event in a panel called: ‘The ideal employer for an idealistic lawyer’, during which one audience member …
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Enterprise winners
On 29-30 April, more than 200 senior in-house counsel gathered at the Hilton London Wembley for the seventh annual Enterprise GC event. The event – which was sponsored by Walker Morris, Luminance, Lex Mundi, SSQ, EY, Taylor Wessing, Trowers & Hamlins, Cilex, Flex Legal, Winston & Strawn, Thomson Reuters and LexisNexis – saw two packed …
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