Poland

UN Global Compact signatory Dentons has a sustainability and governance committee, which advises the leadership on ESG issues affecting the firm, and a global ESG steering committee responsible for developing ESG products and services for clients. In 2022, the firm also created a Europe Public Law and Regulatory practice which provides advice on climate change and environmental law, as well as a new Europe Green and Circular Economy sector group. In Poland, in December 2021, the firm’s environmental team in Warsaw launched its PLM (product lifecycle management) offering focused on advising clients on green compliance and upholding the principles of a circular economy.

In a recent highlight, the Warsaw public law and regulatory as well as energy teams advised Modus Asset Management, a Lithuanian fund manager focusing on renewable energy investments, on the acquisition of 100% of shares in a portfolio of 28 photovoltaic projects in Poland, amounting up to 30 MW. In another recent matter, a multi-disciplinary team assisted a consortium of banks with the financing provided to Goldbeck Solar and Respect Energy for the construction and operation of one of the largest standalone solar PV farms in Poland.

Firm-wide initiatives include the contribution of several thought leadership pieces via the firm’s ESG : Global Solutions Hub, and pro bono advice to a number of organisations such as the Environmental Defence Fund.

Spain

Dentons in Spain has experience advising clients on matters related to sustainable finance and circular economy. In an ongoing highlight, the firm is assisting a major sportswear company with a cross-border matter regarding the implementation of a scheme for the collection and recovery of used textiles in major markets across Europe. This includes waste collection and recycling issues in several jurisdictions, particularly relevant for Spain where changes have recently been introduced to the EU Waste Framework Directive. The team also recently contributed to a multi-jurisdictional project advising KKR and Global Infrastruture Partners on the $15bn acquisition and financing of CyrusOne, which involved a full environmental and ESG due diligence of the data centre company, including an examination of biodiversity, energy, and climate change policies.

At a European level, in 2022, the firm created a new Europe Public Law and Regulatory practice which includes a focus on climate change and environmental law, as well as a new Europe Green and Circular Economy sector group.

Via its ESG: Global Solutions Hub, the firm has also published a number of thought leadership pieces relating to sustainability, including recent articles on climate-related risks, and investing in renewable energy projects in Europe.

The firm is a signatory of the UN Global Compact and has recently secured an Ecovadis Bronze Award status. Its sustainability and governance committee looks at ESG issues affecting the firm internally.

Turkey

Dentons, a signatory of the UN Global Compact, has demonstrable experience in the sustainable finance space in its Istanbul office, with a focus on green bonds. It has recently advised EBRD on two matters: Firstly, on its first true green financing to Arçelik following LMA Green Principles in Turkey and consisting of a loan with the value of €150m, which will be used to invest in the production activities in the field of sustainability in line with Arçelik’s Green Financing Framework; and secondly, on a green loan worth €25m to QNB FinansLease under the Turkiye Green Economy Finance Facility, which will be used for renewable energy projects in the region.

Internally, the firm counts with a sustainability and governance committee and a global ESG steering committee. Under its Europe sustainability policy, the firm undertakes initiatives to promote effective waste management and energy use, reducing its carbon footprint. Recently, the firm secured an Ecovadis Bronze Award status.

United Arab Emirates

Dentons‘ UAE team stands out for its ground-breaking work relating to renewable energy projects. In an ongoing highlight, led by Andrew Figgins and Mhairi Main Garcia, the team is advising InterContinental Energy (ICE) on green hydrogen projects in both Oman and Saudi Arabia, which aim to develop 25 GW and produce 1.8 million tonnes of green ammonia per year. The projects are considered to be at the forefront of the development of green hydrogen in the region. The team also advised on a major innovative project which will contribute to climate change mitigation through solar power technology.

The firm contributes to a number of thought leadership pieces through its ESG: Global Solutions Hub, where clients can find a number of articles relating to sustainability. It further shows its commitment to climate action through its pro-bono work, providing advice to organisations such as the Environmental Defence Fund and Justdiggit, an NGO focused on regreening Africa. The firm is a signatory of the UN Global Compact and has recently secured an Ecovadis Bronze Award status.