The energy transition posts a tremendous opportunity for private equity investors. The scale of the investment requirement makes private capital a “must have” and a broad spectrum of energy transition opportunities,...more
On November 8, 2022, the U.K. Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) published its draft Disclosure Framework (“Framework”) and accompanying Implementation Guidance (“Guidance”) for public consultation. The Framework and Guidance...more
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued proposed rules to establish a U.K. sustainability disclosure regime (SDR) providing a U.K. take on a topic many investment managers have been dealing with in...more
11/8/2022
/ Disclosure Requirements ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Greenwashing ,
Investment Management ,
Proposed Rules ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
SFDR ,
Sustainability ,
UK
The European Parliament has rejected a motion to remove gas and nuclear investment products from the EU’s sustainable investment taxonomy, surprising many who consider their inclusion to be greenwashing. This article...more
The High Court of England and Wales (the “High Court”) recently ruled1 that the U.K. government’s Net Zero Strategy (NZS) breached the detail and reporting requirements of the Climate Change Act 2008 (“CCA 2008”). In this...more
As we noted previously, against the backdrop of the European Green Deal and related sustainable finance initiatives, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are increasingly being incorporated into loan and...more
Almost a year ago, we reflected on the outcome of the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or “COP 26”. COP 26 brought 120 world leaders together to...more
In view of the upcoming July 29 deadline to the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) consultation period for its proposed sustainability disclosure standards, Akin Gump would like to remind readers of the...more
In 2019, the U.K. government published a Green Finance Strategy aimed at codifying its approach to the financial sector’s transition to environmentally friendly practices. The strategy has three broad steps, namely (i)...more
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that in-scope issuers for financial years starting on or after April 1, 2022, will be required to provide disclosures with respect to the diversity of their boards and...more
In April 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA) issued its final policy statement on diversity and inclusion (D&I) requirements for premium and standard listed issuers with the object of increasing transparency for...more
Who is Now Subject to Climate-Related Financial Disclosures?
Issuers of standard listed equity shares and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) will now be required to satisfy certain previously issued climate-related...more
Ahead of The Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022 (the “Regulations”) taking effect on April 6, 2022, the U.K. Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)...more
On February 23, the European Commission (the “Commission”) proposed a Directive intended to extend the standards of due diligence performed by large companies with business operations in the European Union (EU) (the...more
A draft of “The Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2021” (the “Regulations”) was released by the U.K. government on October 28, 2021, which requires climate-related financial...more
As we reflect on the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), it would be remiss not to note that the United Kingdom government announced its intention for the U.K. to be the world’s “first net zero-aligned...more
As the delegates of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP26) return from two hard weeks in Glasgow, significant progress has been made on establishing...more
11/18/2021
/ Aviation Industry ,
Climate Change ,
Emissions Trading System ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Maritime Transport ,
Paris Agreement ,
Transportation Industry ,
UK ,
UNFCCC
As we previewed before the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26, or the “Conference”), ongoing international discussions have produced notable initiatives to...more
11/8/2021
/ Agricultural Sector ,
Banking Sector ,
Biodiversity ,
Climate Change ,
COP ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Financial Institutions ,
Supply Chain ,
United Nations
Yesterday, we highlighted some of the developments on coal at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), including issuance of a “Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement” committing to...more
The Financial Times has reported that the United Kingdom’s highly anticipated and delayed hydrogen strategy is due to be published next week. The strategy should offer clarity as to the specific policies that will be put in...more
In connection with implementing the European Green Deal and its efforts to become the first climate-neutral continent, the European Commission announced on Wednesday, July 14 an ambitious package of proposals aimed at further...more
As a consequence of Brexit, the United Kingdom also left the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The U.K.’s replacement cap and trade program, the U.K. Emissions Trading Scheme (U.K. ETS), went live on Wednesday...more