New Carbon Removal Certification Framework in Europe -
A voluntary certification framework adopted by the EU aims to enhance the credibility and transparency of carbon removal activities within the EU to support its...more
3/27/2025
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Climate Change ,
Energy Policy ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
Executive Orders ,
Greenwashing ,
Proposed Rules ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Sustainability ,
Trump Administration
On December 18, 2024, the Advertising Standards Authority ("ASA"), the UK's regulator of advertising, issued a ruling against Lloyds Bank plc ("Lloyds") following a complaint by Adfree Cities, a network challenging corporate...more
3/24/2025
/ Advertising ,
Advertising Standards Authority ,
Banks ,
Climate Change ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
False Advertising ,
Financial Institutions ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Greenwashing ,
Lloyds Banking Group ,
Penalties ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Sustainability ,
UK
New ESG regulations are expected to have a significant impact on disclosure and governance obligations for EU and non-EU companies alike, including extensive sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements on...more
12/11/2024
/ Carbon Emissions ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Coal Mines ,
Energy Policy ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Hague Convention ,
Infrastructure ,
Pollution Control ,
Shell Oil
In December 2022, planning permission was granted by the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ("SoS") to extract coal from a coal mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England. The project would have been the...more
REGULATORY ISSUES & UPDATES -
Update on Australia's New Climate-Related Financial Disclosure Regime -
Australia's mandatory climate-related financial disclosure regime is inching closer to implementation after the proposed...more
9/23/2024
/ Clean Air Act ,
Clean Energy ,
Climate Change ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Greenwashing ,
Popular ,
Tax Credits
On July 4, 2024, the UK general election took place, and the Labour Party won with a significant majority. After 14 years of Conservative Party rule, a number of changes are now expected in respect of the UK's position on...more
9/18/2024
/ Clean Energy ,
Climate Change ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Energy Projects ,
Energy Reform ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
Fossil Fuel ,
Green Energy ,
Green Finance ,
Net Zero ,
Oil & Gas ,
Popular ,
UK ,
Wind Power
The Situation: On June 20, 2024, the UK Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in R (on the application of Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group) (Appellant) v Surrey County Council and others (Respondents) [2024]...more
7/19/2024
/ Climate Change ,
Energy Projects ,
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Oil & Gas ,
Popular ,
UK ,
UK Supreme Court ,
Urban Planning & Development
REGULATORY ISSUES & UPDATES -
Recent Evolution of the European Regulatory Framework on Greenwashing -
Two new Directives adopted by the EU in 2024—the "Empowering Consumers Directive" and the "Green Claims...more
6/20/2024
/ Air Pollution ,
Carbon Capture and Sequestration ,
Carbon Emissions ,
Clean Air Act ,
Clean Energy ,
Climate Change ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Human Rights ,
Net Zero ,
Power Plants ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Sustainability ,
Tax Credits
On April 24, 2024, the European Parliament voted to adopt the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive ("CS3D"). As described in a recent Jones Day Alert, this followed the Council of the European Union ("the...more
The UK government's decision to rollback and delay policy commitments designed to help achieve net zero by 2050 will be challenged in the High Court later this year....more
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted much anticipated climate-related disclosure rules....more
3/18/2024
/ Climate Change ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Emissions Trading System ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Federal Highway Administration ,
Financial Institutions ,
Green Buildings ,
Green Energy ,
Green Infrastructure ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Greenwashing ,
Proposed Rules ,
Risk Management ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
UK
In December 2023, the United Kingdom's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ("DESNZ") launched two consultations to garner views on the efficient operation of the UK's Emissions Trading Scheme ("ETS")....more
The Situation: On January 17, 2024, mandatory biodiversity net gain ("BNG") regulations took effect, impacting most new developments in England.
...more
2/20/2024
/ Biodiversity ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Construction Project ,
Environmental Litigation ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Green Infrastructure ,
Housing Developers ,
Housing Market ,
Real Estate Development ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
UK ,
Urban Planning & Development
REGULATORY ISSUES & UPDATES -
Mandatory Climate Change Reporting Requirements Under the New European ESRS E1 -
The implementation of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards poses risks for reporting companies,...more
12/5/2023
/ Clean Water Act ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Data Protection ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Federal Agency Taskforce ,
Green Initiatives ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
NEPA ,
Net Zero ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Risk Management ,
SFDR ,
State and Local Government ,
Sustainability ,
Taxonomy ,
U.S. Treasury ,
UK
On September 18, 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures ("TNFD") released its final recommendations for disclosures on nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. The TNFD aims to...more
On September 14, 2023, the European Commission launched two consultations on the implementation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation ("SFDR"): One targeted at public bodies and expert stakeholders, and one aimed...more
REGULATORY ISSUES & UPDATES -
New CFTC Enforcement on Carbon Markets Misconduct -
The U.S. CFTC publishes a rare alert soliciting tips about potential manipulation in the carbon markets and announces the formation of...more
8/18/2023
/ Airlines ,
CARB ,
CFTC ,
Climate Change ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
EU ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Greenwashing ,
HFC Emissions ,
Shareholder Litigation ,
UK
Businesses are increasingly making environmental assertions as they seek to demonstrate their sustainability credentials to consumers. This trend, however, is leading to tougher measures from national regulators as they...more
"Green Day" in the UK -
As part of its "Powering Up Britain" strategy, the UK government has published a series of documents setting out its vision for the UK's transition to net zero and the strengthening of UK energy...more
March 30, 2023, was dubbed "Green Day" in the United Kingdom ("UK"), as the government published numerous policy statements, consultation responses, new consultations, and guidance, which all form part of its wider strategy...more
The deadline for organisations to complete and submit their UK Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme ("ESOS") reports for Phase 3 of the scheme is 5 December 2023....more
Incoming: Mandatory Climate Risk Disclosures in Australia -
The Climate-Related Financial Disclosure Consultation Paper proposes that, commencing with the 2024/2025 financial year, large, listed entities and large...more
A controversial decision to approve a new coal mine in Cumbria, England, which will seek to supply coking coal to be used in the steel-making industry, is being challenged. Friends of the Earth ("FOE") and the South Lakes...more
The UK's former Energy Minister, Chris Skidmore MP, has conducted an independent review of the UK government's Net Zero Strategy. The strategy seeks to ensure that the UK reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990...more
California Enacts Sweeping Climate Measures -
On September 16, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a broad legislative package into law that aims to aggressively address climate change. The material aspects of...more