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21 March 2025
Issue: 8109 / Categories: Legal News , ESG
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NLJ this week: ESG risks

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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

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

NEWS
A time-restricted bank tax, a ‘roadmap to fiscal devolution’, extension to parental leave, entrepreneur’s relief and a giveaway on energy bills for households are the headlines in Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey’s 2026 Autumn Budget
A Court of Appeal judge has lamented the ‘very concerning’ state of the law on employee inventor compensation after a chemist’s case took five-and-a-half years to reach court, eventually being listed for a 37-day trial next year
The Law Society has emphasised that responsibility remains human, in a practice note on artificial intelligence (AI)
Respect orders, which enable police, councils, housing associations, transport networks and other authorities to take enforcement action against anti-social behaviour, have come into force across England and Wales
The Land Registry has launched two consultations aimed at making its information more publicly accessible, ‘Restructuring HM Land Registry fees’, and ‘Future of access to HM Land Registry information’
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