South Africa: Sustainability and ESG

Helping you navigate the ESG journey towards an efficient future

We are at the forefront of ESG legislation throughout the world, and have extensive knowledge of global ESG laws and regulations, standards and initiatives, making us best placed to advise our clients. As a testament to our work, we recently were awarded “African Network/Alliance of the Year” by The African Legal Awards 2021. Our capabilities can provide you with the peace of mind that you are getting the right advice at the right time, as we know the intricacies of ESG legislation, and have an extensive network of preferred local counsel throughout Africa to provide our clients with relevant and sound advice.

Overview

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are important for businesses around the world as the legal and regulatory landscape changes and ESG expectations of investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders grow.

Now more than ever, businesses are adopting ESG measures and investors are incorporating ESG criteria into their investment assessments and valuation decisions. In turn, investors perceive companies with strong sustainability programs as an indicator of sound and reliable performance going forward.

Our South African Sustainability and ESG hub provides practical guidance, timely updates and strategic insights to help you thrive in the present and navigate the evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

Latest Insights

Updated Green Loan Principles: 5 things to know

On 23 February 2023, the Loan Market Association (LMA) announced the publication of updated Green Loan Principles (GLPs), together with supporting guidance documents, produced in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA).

South Africa | External | November 23, 2023

Sustainability and ESG South Africa

Insurance and ESG

Environmental, social and governance issues are playing and will play an increasingly important role in the South African insurance sector which should be proactive in contributing to, influencing and being part of ongoing discussions on integration of ESG principles into risk management, underwriting, capital adequacy processes, investment decision making, underwriting and underwriting disclosures, capital adequacy processes and reporting.

South Africa | External | July 11, 2022

Sustainability and ESG South Africa

D & O Insurance and ESG

The existence or absence of sound corporate governance has always been a factor when underwriting a D & O risk.

South Africa | External | July 06, 2022

Sustainability and ESG South Africa

Green Loans and Sustainability Linked Loans – same but different?

From a reputational and corporate governance perspective, green and sustainable activity both gain favour with shareholders and investors (particularly those who place emphasis on investment with a positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact).

South Africa | External | June 23, 2022

Sustainability and ESG South Africa

D & O Insurance, Derivative claims and ESG (UK)

In this High Court of Justice judgment, the court declined to permit two members of the pension scheme to bring a derivative claim against the Universities Superannuation Scheme and the directors of its corporate trustee.

South Africa | External | June 23, 2022

Sustainability and ESG South Africa

Green Loans: a grassroots overview

Green loans are loan instruments made available exclusively to finance or re-finance, wholly or partly, new or existing eligible Green Projects, according to the Loan Market Association’s Green Loan Principles (the GLPs).

South Africa | External | June 08, 2022

Sustainability and ESG South Africa

Global hubs

Sustainability and ESG

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Publication

Road to COP29: Our insights

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

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Climate change and sustainability disputes

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Energy transition

The energy transition is firmly underway. While global demand for energy continues to rise, increasing pressure from gov...

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Sustainable cities and infrastructure

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Responsible business

Our commitment to sustainability

We aim to minimize our impact on the environment – to protect the planet, ensure that resources are available for future generations and create a better quality of life for all living beings. We integrate sustainability best practice into all our decision-making and business activities. We recognize our responsibility to address environmental issues that jeopardize the earth’s ecosystems and the future of our communities and as a firm we work on reducing our environmental footprint and are active on many pro bono projects in the areas of sustainability.

Norton Rose Fulbright supports the Sustainable Development Goals. We have adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals as our overarching guiding principles. With the goals being the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, we focus on those where we can have the greatest impact.