Our carbon economy team

Briefings

Briefings in English - 2008

The Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer-cebr carbon commitment share price index Q2 2008

In recent times, the role that business needs to play in helping fight climate change has received increasing attention. At the same time, many have argued that efforts to combat climate change will provide corporate, as well as environmental, benefit. This report introduces one approach to measuring the contribution made by business to fighting climate change, as well as the corporate success it may (or may not) bring. (September 2008)

Environment: carbon reduction commitment

The Energy White Paper 2007, published in May, confirmed the UK government’s intention to go ahead with a UK-wide ‘cap and trade’ emissions trading scheme for large non-energy-intensive organisations. This briefing examines the results of the subsequent consultation and the government's response to it. A further consultation on the detailed scheme design and on regulations to implement the CRC into law will be published over the course of the summer (July 2008)

The Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer-cebr carbon commitment share price index

Environment: EU publishes its proposals to meet its 2020 emissions reduction target

At the March 2007 European Council summit, EU member states committed themselves to cutting the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 per cent by 2020, compared with 1990 levels, with a promise to move to 30 per cent if other industrialised countries follow suit. After some delay and intense behind-the-scenes lobbying by the member states and industry, the Commission finally published a package of legislative proposals designed to achieve these targets on 23 January. (March 2008)

UK Planning Bill: effect on major new energy projects

In an attempt to overcome these problems the recently published energy and planning white papers propose what amounts to a preferential regulatory system for nationally significant infrastructure projects that should, among other matters, ensure the delivery of the new energy generation capacity that the government envisages will be required in the next two decades. This involves further changes to the development consents regime, beyond those already introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 for major infrastructure projects. (January 2008)

Briefings in French - 2008

Avis d’expert : CO2, les entreprises doivent vite se préparer à payer

Dès 2013, les entreprises européennes risquent de devoir payer leurs quotas d’émissions de CO2. Il faut impérativement qu’elles soient fixées au plus vite pour pouvoir s’y préparer, avertit Vincent Brenot, avocat au cabinet Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, spécialiste du droit de l’environnement et des secteurs de l’énergie et des infrastructures. (Juillet 2008)

Briefings in English - 2007

Environment: Climate Change Bill introduced into UK parliament

Following a public consultation on the UK government’s draft Climate Change Bill earlier this year (see our briefing Environment: proposed UK climate change bill April 2007), an amended bill has now been introduced into parliament with a view to it becoming law early next year.

Environment: meeting the UK energy challenge

This briefing examines the key measures for saving energy and developing cleaner energy supplies outlined in the White Paper and the main implications for business. (June 2007)

Environment: US climate change litigation - Supreme Court rules carbon dioxide is a pollutant

The US Supreme Court recently delivered a key judgment in one of the many climate change actions currently before the US courts. The case, Massachusetts v the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), could have a significant effect on the global warming debate now underway in the US, as well as on the US energy and automotive industries. (May 2007)

Environment: EU leads the way on climate change

The European Council summit in March 2007 committed the EU member states to radical greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, energy efficiency and renewables targets. The Berlin Declaration issued shortly afterwards echoes the commitments made. Emissions reduction and renewable energy will be at the heart of the agenda for the upcoming G8 summit hosted by Germany. The EU has also signalled its intention to play a leading part in negotiating the international agreement that will replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012. GHG emissions reduction, energy efficiency measures and the increased use of renewable energy will therefore play an increasingly important role in shaping policy at the EU level. Difficult negotiations and legislative action will be required, however, before these policy initiatives are translated into a new regulatory framework. (May 2007)