Linklaters LLP coordinates its firm-wide ESG efforts through a partner-led ESG taskforce and a sustainability steering group. A UN Global Compact signatory, the firm seeks to implement ESG principles not only internally but also with its suppliers via a sustainable procurement policy and supplier code of conduct.

As part of the firm’s Global Environment Programme, it seeks 70% and 50% reductions in its scope 1 and 2 and scope 3 emissions respectively by 2030 with its targets overseen and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. The firm has an A- CDP Climate Change Leadership score and ISO14001:2015 certification; over 70% of the firm’s electricity usage is renewable.

The New York team is highly experienced in the financing of green projects. Conrado Tenaglia and counsel Alejandro Gordano, both experts in ESG capital market deals across Latin America, advised a range of clients, including the Chilean government, on the issuance, exchange, purchase and offering of green and sustainable bonds.

Green energy group lead Andrew Compton and energy and infrastructure counsel Will Kim, among others, have variously acted for a number of clients on the acquisition, sale and refinancing of renewable energy projects, including Mayflower Wind’s acquisition of Massachusetts OceanGrid.

The firm also gives pro bono advice to various organizations with an environmental or sustainability focus; to B-Lab on its global operations; and in connection with model laws promoting nuclear investment.

As part of its extensive ESG-related thought leadership, the firm tracks developments in ESG policy globally through its annual ESG Legal Outlook. In 2020, together with Oxford University, the firm also launched an ESG Accelerator program which provides ESG training amongst its senior ranks.