header-logo header-logo

The (green) heart of ESG

31 May 2024 / Matthew Kay , Mike Harvey
Issue: 8073 / Categories: Features , Profession , Environment , Company
printer mail-detail
175040
As engagement with the ESG agenda moves from a nice-to-have to a must-have, Matthew Kay & Mike Harvey consider the role of legal teams

The ESG agenda presents an opportunity in many ways for legal teams to further ingratiate themselves into the business and play a strategic role. But it can be difficult to adopt an opportunity outlook from a risk outlook, and there is no denying that an increased focus on all the issues which fall under the ‘ESG’ (environmental, social and governance) banner add to a lawyers’ already busy to-do list. For example, in 2022, a survey from EY revealed that 99% of general counsels (GCs) expected environmental and social concerns to add to their workload. The vast majority—95%—also reported that reconciling the balance between financial and sustainability goals presented a challenge (‘The general counsel imperative: how the law department is key in unlocking your sustainability strategy’, EY, 6 April 2022).

Ever-evolving global regulation regarding ESG alone can keep lawyers busy, never mind the increased focus on

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
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
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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
back-to-top-scroll