Our future depends on the sustainability of the work we do today. Against the backdrop of the global pandemic, the global economic crisis and a global climate change crisis, building and maintaining a sustainable and resilient business presents significant opportunities and challenges. Transitioning to a net zero economy. Finding a balance between progress and consumption. Adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. Finding funding solutions to access the capital needed to transform our environments. Promoting social inclusivity and defending human rights. Scrutinising governance standards and corporate behaviour in an increasingly regulated global landscape.

Our global multidisciplinary teams offer strategic legal and regulatory advice to help you navigate continually evolving policies and regulations across the globe. 

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natural green trees

What does ESG stand for?

Our future depends on the sustainability of the work we do today. Against the backdrop of the global pandemic, the globa...

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Nachhaltigkeit in der Unternehmenspraxis

Am 16. November hat der erste ESG Day @NRF in Frankfurt stattgefunden .

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In focus

ESG and M&A: There is more to come!

ESG and M&A: There is more to come!

With the European Green Deal and its implementation the EU has pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions within the EU by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Germany | Publication | December 19, 2023

Sustainability landing
Greenwashing

Greenwashing

According to the common understanding of the three ESAs, greenwashing is a practice in which sustainability-related statements, declarations, actions or communications do not clearly or adequately reflect the underlying sustainability profile of a company, financial product or service.

Germany | Publication | December 13, 2023

Sustainability landing
ESG and employment law

ESG and employment law

ESG is also gaining relevance in the context of employment law. As a central ESG characteristic, in particular, the strand of social sustainability is affected by employment law and its regulations. In the advisory sector, the increasing internationalisation and specification of ESG criteria are becoming more important.

Germany | Publication | December 12, 2023

Sustainability landing
Sustainability of real property

Sustainability of real property

Everybody is talking about ESG. As the real property sector with approximately 40% of energy consumption and approximately 36% of greenhouse gas emissions is the largest consumer of energy resources in the EU, the environmental (represented by the “E” in ESG) sustainability of real property is of particular importance.

Germany | Publication | December 12, 2023

Sustainability landing
Sustainability considerations in antitrust law practice

Sustainability considerations in antitrust law practice

Sustainability considerations now also play an important role in connection with antitrust issues. Many competition authorities, in particular, the European Commission (Commission), but also national competition authorities, such as the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Dutch Autoriteit Consument & Market (ACM) and the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB), have published guidelines on the consideration of sustainability objectives.

Germany | Publication | December 12, 2023

Sustainability landing

Insights

Human Rights Due Diligence in the EU

Human Rights Due Diligence in the EU

Human rights and environmental due diligence ("HRDD" or “HREDD”) requirements introduced or proposed in several European countries in recent years – particularly the German Supply Chain Act which came into force this year – pose unprecedented compliance challenges for multinational companies.

Global | Publication | August 05, 2024
Recent proposed amendments to the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS)

Recent proposed amendments to the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS)

In this article we provide an update on significant new proposals affecting the UK and EU ETS. In particular, we consider the recent consultation on the potential expansion of the UK ETS to include waste, waste incineration and greenhouse gas removals (GGRs).

Global | Publication | July 19, 2024
Financial services regulation ESG webinar series

Financial services regulation ESG webinar series

Taking place across three webinars, our team of experienced lawyers and consultants, along with industry professionals and regulators, explore the latest ESG developments and trends within financial services regulation. This series takes a cross jurisdictional perspective, covering ESG financial services regulation and trends from across the globe.

Global | Publication | June 18, 2024
The new medal table: Gold, silver and brown

The new medal table: Gold, silver and brown

This is the third and final part in our series on “ESG Olympics”. In the first part we focused on directors’ duties in setting a green agenda and in the second part we explored the regulators’ response in the form of “brown penalties”.

Global | Publication | May 28, 2024
EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) passed by EU Parliament: What are the implications?

EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) passed by EU Parliament: What are the implications?

On 24 April 2024, the European Parliament voted to adopt the long-awaited EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD or the Directive).

Global | Publication | May 22, 2024
“AI and sustainability: Cure or curse?”

“AI and sustainability: Cure or curse?”

While AI can help resolve data issues in sustainable investing, it can create problems such as information breaches and inherent bias in data.

Global | Publication | May 20, 2024
European Court of Human Rights delivers ground-breaking climate change decision

ECtHR issues ground-breaking climate change decision

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or the Court) recently ruled in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz & Ors v. Switzerland (Application No. 53600/20) that Switzerland had breached the European Convention of Human Rights (the Convention) by not taking sufficient action against climate change. In this article we consider the key features of this landmark judgment, which has wide ramifications for Member States of the Convention.

Global | Publication | May 17, 2024
Biodiversity finance

Biodiversity finance

International financial markets have started to show significant interest in nature and biodiversity. Whilst climate change and greenhouse gas emissions have made the headlines in recent years, there has been much less focus on their equally important counterparts, nature and biodiversity. However, that has started to change.

EMEA | Publication | May 13, 2024
UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: How will it work?

UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: How will it work?

In February, we reported on the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s confirmation that a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) would be bought into force by 2027

Global | Publication | May 07, 2024

Events and webinars

Decarbonising aviation: A regulatory update

Decarbonising aviation: A regulatory update

Following the elections across the US, EU, France and the UK in 2024, we explore the likely policy directions across these jurisdictions, as well as the consequences for aviation’s pursuit of sustainability, including the EU Taxonomy and sustainable aviation fuel.

Global | Webinar and Events | July 25, 2024

Transport
ESG day

ESG day

Following our successful ESGevent last year, we will once again be addressing a number of highly topical issues relating to sustainability for businesses.

Germany | Webinar and Events | July 03, 2024

Climate change and sustainability
A legal lifeline for nature

A legal lifeline for nature

Nature related risks are increasing in political and commercial importance as science demonstrates the steep decline in wildlife populations – down 70% since 1970. Why does this matter to law firms and their clients?

Global | Webinar and Events | July 01, 2024

Environmental social and governance ESG

Resources

Financial Services Regulatory Developments in ESG

Financial Services Regulatory Developments in ESG

ESG is high on the regulatory agenda. Businesses, governments, regulators, financial services firms and individuals all have a part to play in tackling climate change and this view is increasingly shared across society.

Global | Publication | April 22, 2024

Supply chain resilience
Beyond COP28

Beyond COP28: Our insights

The 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP28) took place on November 30 - December 12 in Dubai.

Global | Publication | December 18, 2023

Climate change and environmental regulation
Earth, Wind and Solar

Earth, Wind and Solar: Conversations on renewable energy and infrastructure in emerging markets

Earth, Wind and Solar features conversations on renewable energy and infrastructure in emerging markets.

Global | Articles | October 04, 2021

COP26 Key resources
ESG
ESG and Sustainability Insights newsletter

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Michael Born
Michael Born
Counsel
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michael.born@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 69 505096 421
Tino Duttiné
Tino Duttiné
Partner
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tino.duttine@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 (69) 505096350
Maximilian Findeisen
Maximilian Findeisen
Partner
Email
max.findeisen@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 (211) 97559771
Frank Henkel
Frank Henkel
Partner
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frank.henkel@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 (89) 212148456
Hannes Lubitzsch
Hannes Lubitzsch
Counsel
Email
hannes.lubitzsch@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 69 505096 171
Tim Schaper
Tim Schaper
Head of Antitrust and Competition Germany
Email
tim.schaper@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 (40) 970799188

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Publication

The Art of Dispute: Key case law and recent developments in dispute resolution

Our newsletter provides practical advice and a concise analysis of key case law and recent developments in dispute resolution.

Germany | November 07, 2024

Litigation and disputes

Publication

Current case law

A ‘foreign element’, within the meaning of the Brussels I Regulation, exists if two parties domiciled in the same Member State agree on the international jurisdiction of the courts of another Member State within the scope of a choice of court agreement.

Germany | November 07, 2024

Publication

Modernisation of the German Law on Partnerships – Key changes and aspects

The German Act on the Modernisation of Partnership Law (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Personengesellschaftsrechts – MoPeG) came into force on 1 January 2024.

Germany | November 07, 2024

Regulation and investigations
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