Climate Change & Renewable Energy
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.
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) and
- private equity firms
- 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
- funds (including investment funds), institutional investors and
- financial institutions
