Klimaveränderung & erneuerbare Energien
Since the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, climate change has increasingly dominated the international and UK political agenda. The European Union’s initiatives to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 (or 30% if other major polluters join in) and to source 20% of Europe’s energy requirements (including 10% of road fuels) from renewable energy sources by 2020, underline Europe’s long-term commitment towards tackling the effects of climate change. This commitment extends beyond the Kyoto compliance period 2008-2012. The need for recognition of the issue and consequent action is a clear imperative.
To help our clients face such challenges, our Climate Change Group brings together a team of specialist lawyers who advise across the spectrum of climate change activities from investment in "clean tech" companies to full-scale project development and project finance, through to regulation and emissions trading.
Our Climate Change Group includes legal experts with experience in project finance, corporate, environment and planning, banking, project development, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, construction and engineering, tax and intellectual property.
Combining our skills in intellectual property, venture capital and project finance with a real understanding of both the energy and technology markets, gives us a unique position in the fields of clean and renewable energy.
One distinguishing factor of our offering is the scientific and engineering qualifications held by the lawyers of our Patent group. Sixteen of these lawyers hold graduate degrees and a further six have PhDs across the science and engineering disciplines. This team fully understands the needs and demands of working with the leading science and engineering experts in the climate change sector.
For some businesses, climate change abatement represents an additional regulatory burden. For others, it represents an opportunity.
Our clients include:
- carbon trading exchanges
- financiers (including financiers of renewable energy projects)
- private equity, venture capital and other institutional investors
- some of the leading offset providers
- companies developing clean technology
- major energy companies and other corporates
- high carbon output organisations
- major developers and infrastructure companies
- project sponsors and major contractors
- transport infrastructure and industrial plant owners and operators
- financial institutions
