ESG & Sustainability

 

ESG_Sustainability

Mindful of the significant and continuing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and opportunities for clients, regulators and legislators, William Fry offers a dedicated, cross-disciplinary ESG & Sustainability Practice Group to support clients in operationalising their sustainability goals while navigating the myriad of published and planned global, international and local ESG rules, standards and expectations.

Leveraging our deep and extensive knowledge and expertise across key practice areas, our ESG & Sustainability Practice Group advises and supports clients and other stakeholders in managing and optimising the ever-shifting and evolving ESG legal and regulatory landscape, anticipating and responding to market demand for sustainable corporate practices and ESG opportunities while managing ESG risk within their businesses.

Areas of Expertise 

  • Sustainable Finance, ESG
    investing, green bonds,
    sustainability reporting, disclosures          
  • Sustainable Construction
    & Energy Efficient
    Building  
  • Sustainable Corporate
    Governance
  • Strategic Data & Risk
    Management
  • Environmental Impact
    Assessment Law
  • Employment Rights
    & Obligations
  • Renewable Energy
    developments/transactions 
  • Dispute Resolution
    & Litigation
  • Supply Chain Management
    & Sustainable Procurement
  • Equality &
    Human Rights Law 
  •  Financial Regulation
 

 

Responsible Business is integral to our firm's operating model and ESG considerations are at the core of our approach. Read more here

Only 17% of Irish employers surveyed understand their ESG obligations

Non-compliant employers face regulatory, capital, and talent retention challenges.
All employers in Ireland have ESG (environment, social and governance) obligations but only 17% know what these obligations are and have no concerns about implementing them. That’s according to The Employer's Guide to ESG which surveyed over 400 employers and over 1,000 employees in Ireland.

Click here to read The Employer's Guide to ESG or click the image below.

ESG report cover

 

Our experience includes advising:

  • auxmoney, a digital peer-to-peer lending platform for consumer credit in Europe, in connection with the securitisation of consumer loans and the issuance of social bonds which are listed on the ESG segment of Euronext Dublin.
  • on the establishment of the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2019-recognised alternative investment fund, investing in leading Asian companies actively tackling pollution and climate change;
  • Smurfit Kappa in connection with sustainability-linked revolving credit facilities provided by a syndicate of international lenders;
  • a wide range of market-leading international and domestic asset managers, AIFMs and UCITS management companies including Architas Multi-Managers, AXA Rosenberg, Barclays, Comgest Asset Management, Lazard Asset Management, Legal & General and Natixis Investment Managers on compliance with the requirements of the EU Sustainable Finance Action Plan, including all aspects of compliance with the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR);
  • Uniphar (a publicly listed company) on sustainability-linked revolving credit facilities provided by a syndicate of Irish banks;
  • British Airways on its EETC issuance and listing on the Irish Stock Exchange to finance new generation fuel efficient, low CO2 clean aircraft;
  • EirGrid (Ireland's Transmission System Operator) on the structuring, development and financing of the proposed 700MW HVDC Celtic Interconnector between Ireland and France; capital cost of circa €1bn; critical infrastructure for renewable generation;
  • European Investment Bank on its financing of the Oweninny Wind Farm in County Mayo;
  • a range of pension trustee clients, including the trustees of the Guinness Ireland Group Pension Scheme and Aviva's main Irish pension arrangements on SFDR-related matters;
  • a range of Irish unit-linked life insurance undertakings and Irish private equity/venture capital fund structures on various ESG-related matters; and
  • a broad range of international asset managers, including market-leading ETF ranges, on the development of ESG-focused/sustainable product offerings and managing all aspects of the Central Bank of Ireland approval process for these products.
  • a major retailer on energy audits by the SEAI
  • on a major environmental audit of data centres 
  • various retailers and an industry body on the application of the WEEE and RoHS Regulations, including registration requirements, labelling and funding obligations 
  • on the shipment of electronic waste 
  • on Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives
  • on import control requirements in relation to dual-use goods and WEEE 
     

ESG Litigation – World's First ESG Suit against a Commercial Bank

ESG Litigation – BNP Paribas sued over Fossil Fuel Financing


Update: Derivative Action Filed Against Shell Directors in UK Courts

ClientEarth recently took the next step in its attempt before the UK Courts to hold the directors of Shell plc personally liable for breaches of duty in failing to manage climate risk facing Shell.


Only 17% of Irish employers surveyed understand their ESG obligations

The Employer's Guide to ESG includes employee views on the most important ESG policies.


In the Driving Seat: latest Developments in Building and Electric Vehicles

The Building Regulations (Part L Amendment) Regulations 2022 require electric vehicle (EV) recharging infrastructure at new homes and multi-use buildings, aiming to shape the building sector's support for the Climate Action Plan. What do you need to know?


Winter Ready? New Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations

The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2022 highlight a continuing focus on the energy and sustainability performance of buildings. What new requirements are relevant to the construction and property sectors and those managing or delivering refurbished or new commercial buildings?


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Key Contacts

Lorena Dunne Partner

Bryan Bourke Consultant

Fergus Devine Partner

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