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Climate Change & Energy Transition

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Organisations that are not considering the effects of their operations on the environment are fast becoming exposed to higher levels of financial and reputational risk.

How organisations are measuring their impact on the environment is continually under the spotlight, not only within their own operations but across their end-to-end value chain. Climate change, energy transition, biodiversity, energy use and security, natural resource conservation and waste are just some of the areas that organisations need to disclose and demonstrate how they are identifying environmental risks and opportunities, now and in the future. 

Incoming regulation and mandatory reporting will create both opportunity and challenge to implementing policies and procedures that previously may not have been seen as a high priority requirement, but are now considered a strategic business imperative.

Without taking the necessary action, organisations could face governmental or regulatory sanctions, criminal prosecution, loss of customer confidence; and reputational damage through accusations of greenwashing and/or a lack of commitment to responsible business, impacting value and long term sustainability.

ESG

We understand the energy market from every angle. With a team of over 80 partners worldwide and almost 150 energy experts across Europe and the Middle East, DWF has the resources to handle even the most complex and high value matters.

What we do

We are adept at providing pragmatic and dynamic support to meet the sustainable business challenges of our clients. From government policy through to strategic development, funding, consenting, design, construction & operation to transmission, route to market, regulation, acquisition and disposal, we work with clients at every point of market entry and across all technologies.

We were recognised in the first ever Legal 500 Green Guide in the UK for our presence in the energy and renewables sector. This includes our work specifically in connection with energy finance, hydrogen and our role in the expansion of new infrastructure associated with electric vehicles and their charging points.

Energy
  • Provide guidance on grid connection, power purchase agreements, international supply chain issues and project structuring to ensure both deliverability and fundability of energy infrastructure projects.
  • Help with the implementation of major new infrastructure in connection with electrification and decarbonisation of the mobility sector, to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure; as well as the development of green hydrogen and biogas refueling infrastructure for the heavy freight industry
  • We work closely with clients to develop effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions, from implementing energy-efficient practices to exploring new renewable energy options
  • Advise on community-based projects to help residents achieve better energy deals.
Renewable energy finance
  • Advise lenders in connection with capacity markets in the UK and any related transactional real estate including financing of smart meters and energy intensive assets 
  • Advise lenders, sponsors, borrowers, Governments, energy authorities, regulators and other clients on conventional power generation, peaking plant, BESS and renewable technologies such as solar, wind, biomass and associated technology and finance 
  • Advise clients on the development of urban infrastructure, public buildings and service facilities, including low carbon investments in heating and energy efficiency, and co-financing of financial instruments using European Structural and Investment Funds.
Nuclear
  • Advise in connection with both waste management & decommissioning and new nuclear builds
  • Advise electric utility providers, Governments, equipment suppliers, investment banks, universities, trading companies and other major companies involved in the Nuclear energy industry, representing them on energy transactions, export control, nuclear liability and domestic regulatory issues.  
Green technology
  • Support with issues surrounding the operation and disputes on conventional power stations and how to approach the conversion of these into renewable technologies
  • Advise on a broad range of renewable technologies including; solar, wind and biomass, anaerobic digestion, energy from waste, tidal, electric vehicle and EV mobility infrastructure; and district heating. We are also leaders in supporting the development of the nascent hydrogen market
  • Advise on carbon reduction activities including carbon trading, carbon credits, carbon offsetting, and emissions reporting, working on some of the largest and most complex renewable energy projects around the world, helping clients to navigate the legal and regulatory challenges involved in developing and financing these projects
  • Advise clients on carbon capture and reduction schemes to support in demonstrating their drive to decarbonising their own service delivery in line with reporting obligations, including a focus on re-forestation and maintenance of peatland and woodland areas
  • We are one of the only firms to have successfully completed a number of ‘free solar’ projects within the affordable housing sector
  • We are members of the UK District Energy Association (UKDEA) and regularly contribute insight and legal perspectives on the key challenges facing the district energy sector. We have worked on a variety of district energy projects and on partnering arrangements
  • Advise clients on carbon offsetting and the application of this offsetting for the scope 3 emission reductions of the Science Based Target initiative
  • Advised on the first ever high-capacity, electric shore power station for vessels using the tidal Thames. This is a major step forward in our clients work to decarbonise the river Thames and deliver Net Zero. The facilities will significantly reduce diesel consumption by the river’s fleet and cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first of its kind in the UK and the first high capacity, electric, shore power station for vessels using the tidal Thames. These stations are essential for attracting more carbon-neutral, electric and hybrid vessels to the Thames, a fast-emerging market, and it is hoped this will be a catalyst for further green investment in the future of the tidal Thames. 
Environmental regulation
  • Providing legal advice on water quality and pollution, permitting requirements, contamination issues, waste management, product packaging and regulatory investigations
  • Advise on environmental issues arising out of business operations, including crisis management when an environmental incident has occurred.

Find out more about our wider Sustainable Business & ESG Advisory Practice >

For more information or to discuss how we can help your business please contact a member of our Climate Change and Energy Transition team.

Meet the team

Further Reading