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NLJ this week: ESG risks

21 March 2025
Issue: 8109 / Categories: Legal News , ESG
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This week’s NLJ boasts a double helping of ESG (environmental, social and governance)

In the first article, Paul Henty, partner, Beale & Co, looks at CBAM, the carbon border adjustment mechanism, ‘proposed legislation from the EU and UK, which—in the name of combatting climate change—will effectively impose tariffs on certain targeted, imported goods’.

Businesses need to prepare for this now and ensure their systems can adapt. Henty also highlights possible disruption ahead, in the shape of a potential backlash from the US. He writes: ‘Given the importance of strategically significant industries—such as steel from Pennsylvania and aluminium exports—CBAM could be interpreted as a direct challenge to US competitiveness. The risk of trade disputes, tariffs or even diplomatic escalation cannot be ignored.’

Next, Richard Reichman, partner, BCL Solicitors, looks at the overlap between the failure to prevent fraud offence and ESG failings. Greenwashing (overstating environmental claims) is one example of the risks. Reichman writes that, given the public appetite for corporate accountability, ‘the risk areas will almost certainly continue to grow’.

 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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