Environment, planning
and regulatory

Briefings

Briefings in English - 2008

The ‘expansive approach’ to freedom of information – are the courts reining it in?

Some broad themes have emerged from decisions on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases, particularly decisions of the Information Tribunal. Generally speaking, the Tribunal can be said to have favoured an expansive application of the regime. One manifestation of this, and this article’s focus, is the extent to which confidential information is protected. (October 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)

Proposed restrictions on foreign investments in Germany passed by German Government

The German Government passed a proposed amendment to the Foreign Trade Act on 20 August 2008. The amendment intends to control acquisitions of resident companies by investors based outside the EU and EFTA. (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

The countdown begins

Companies whose products contain, or are manufactured using, chemicals may be unaware of their possible obligations under REACH. This briefing examines the need for pre-registration by consumer products companies and the consequences of not doing so in the prescribed timeframe. (2 June 2008)

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: Austria

The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Environment Law 2008 Members of our EPR group produced the following comprehensive legal analysis of environmental laws and regulations which appeared in the fifth edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Environment Law 2008; published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London (www.iclg.co.uk).

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: England & Wales

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: Europe Overview

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: France

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: Germany

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: Italy

ICLG: Environment Law 2008: Spain

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)

New German gambling regime

On 1 January 2008, a new gambling regime came into force in Germany. The new law upholds the state monopoly for gambling until 2012. All internet activities are prohibited. Advertising is restricted to providing information on gambling activities and is prohibited on TV and the internet or by telecommunication. The law was discussed controversially before coming into force. It is expected that authorities will take action against private land-based and internet operators as well as financial institutions and service providers in early 2008. (January 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 German - 2008

Mehr Schutz vor ausländischen Investoren?

Wirtschaftliche und EU-rechtliche Aspekte der geplanten Beschränkung ausländischer Beteiligungen an deutschen Unternehmen (August 2008)

Gesetzgeberische Entwicklungen im europäischen und deutschen Vergaberecht

In diesem Briefing stellen wir Ihnen wichtige gesetzgeberische Entwicklungen im europäischen und deutschen Vergaberecht vor. Zunächst möchten wir Sie über die seit dem 1. Juli 2008 geltenden, niedrigeren EU-Schwellenwerte für gemeinschaftsweit ausschreibungspflichtige öffentliche Aufträge informieren. Anschließend geben wir Ihnen einen kurzen Überblick über die wesentlichen Neuerungen der reformierten EU-Rechtsmittelrichtlinien sowie den derzeitigen Stand der Umsetzung in das deutsche Vergaberecht. (Juli 2008)

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