You are here:

• home
• services
• environment
• climate change

Climate change

The challenges faced by our clients

With lawyers drawn from our specialist environment, regulatory and energy teams, we can provide cutting-edge advice in this rapidly developing area of law. A number of regulations and obligations have been and are being introduced to address reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, to meet the UK's commitments at international, EU and national level. These place increased burdens on companies and in many cases are based on new approaches to environmental regulation. However, there can be benefits for those who operate efficiently.

How we can help

We deal with all matters arising from climate change obligations, such as the climate change levy and associated rebate agreements, EU Emissions Trading Schemes, and Kyoto project credits, and the incoming Carbon Reduction Commitment.

We have extensive experience advising on climate change regulation. For example, we can:

• advise on the interpretation of scheme rules and regulations, to clarify how they apply to specific situations
• provide support or take the lead in negotiations and discussions with DEFRA and other regulators when problems arise
• deal with the adjustments, applications and transfers required when businesses or sites change hands, start-up or close
• liaise with and appoint specialist consultants and service providers to introduce practical solutions to the management of these new commitments
• advise on carbon offsetting.

We also have a dedicated carbon finance team which forms part of our clean energy and sustainability group. Drawing on expertise from our financial services, banking, energy and environment teams we advise on carbon trading, carbon projects (CDM/JI) and associated issues.