The first solar farm has successfully launched in the UK without government subsidisation. Clayhill Solar Farm, a 10 megawatt (MW) site near Flitwick in Bedfordshire, is capable of generating enough power for 2500 homes. ...more
The UK government has announced that it is bringing together a new taskforce led by senior financiers in order to encourage the growth of “green finance”. The taskforce, which will be chaired by Sir Roger Gifford, former lord...more
On 13 July 2017, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) launched guidance on incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) provisions in private equity fund terms. The publication, Incorporating Responsible...more
On 29 June 2017, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) published its final recommendations. The TCFD set out information that companies should disclose to enable investors, lenders, and insurance...more
On 16 June 2017, the Bank of England (BoE) published an article setting out its response to climate change, explaining that climate change and society’s response to it presents certain financial risks. These risks arise...more
The public trust doctrine is the principle that certain natural and cultural assets are preserved for public use and that it is the government’s obligation to protect and regulate these, both now and for future generations....more
In a recent decision, the High Court has ruled that Unilever plc (Unilever), the ultimate holding company of the Unilever Group, does not owe a duty of care to protect the employees and residents of a tea plantation owned and...more
26 March 2017 marked two years since the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. As the signature legislation of the then Home Secretary (Theresa May – now Prime Minister), it heralded greater focus on an issue that...more
The UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a Green Paper on 23 January 2017, setting out the building blocks for the UK’s modern industrial strategy. Described by Theresa May as a “critical...more
In a highly anticipated judgment, the English High Court has ruled that Royal Dutch Shell (RDS), a holding company that is the ultimate parent of the Shell Group, does not owe a duty of care to residents of the Niger Delta in...more
The Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Jonathan Taylor called for “a renewed effort from the world’s financial institutions to make the Paris Agreement a reality” at the COP 22 Conference, held last month in...more
The Autumn Statement (the Statement) highlighted sustainability of public finance as key to securing a strong and stable economy for the UK. The need to prioritise longer-term sustainability schemes over short-term economic...more
The UK will need to revisit its strategy to improve air quality following a recent court judgment determining that the Government’s existing plans are insufficient. With air pollution reportedly responsible for 9,500...more
Changes will align the UK’s policy framework for ownership and control of critical infrastructure with other major economies.
On 15 September 2016, the UK Government announced its delayed approval of the proposed...more
We have commented previously about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and its relationship with environmental obligations. Here, following Brexit, we turn our attention to future trade arrangements for...more
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), assuming the UK does not negotiate continued participation in the EU’s Internal Market and the Common Commercial Policy (on similar terms as now), will impact its existing...more
While the overwhelming majority of the UK’s environmental legislation is derived from EU legislation and UK climate change and energy policy is largely influenced by the EU, surprisingly, environment and energy has been the...more
Following the recent UK referendum result, attention is now turning to the legal implications for specific policy areas.
While the overwhelming majority of the UK’s environmental legislation is derived from EU...more
7/21/2016
/ Climate Change ,
EFTA ,
Emissions Trading System ,
Energy Market ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
EU Single Market ,
Permits ,
Pollution Control ,
Renewable Energy ,
UK ,
UK Brexit ,
UNFCCC
Powerday plc was issued a record fine in April this year for offences relating to operations involving over 17,000 tonnes of waste deposited and stored illegally. Powerday – one of the biggest waste-management companies in...more
In December 2015, world leaders met to negotiate the Paris Agreement. Setting aside whether the Paris Agreement goes too far, not far enough or is just right, one cannot dispute that government commitments to limit an...more
4/20/2016
/ China ,
Climate Change ,
Emissions Trading System ,
Energy Market ,
EU ,
Financial Markets ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Paris Agreement ,
Popular ,
Private Equity ,
Socially Responsible Investments ,
UK ,
World Bank
HM Treasury recently launched a consultation to seek views on its proposals to reform the business energy efficiency tax landscape, following the announcement by the Chancellor in the Summer Budget that energy policies and...more