Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Climate change and sustainability are set to be defining issues of this decade. CMS is committed to addressing our own impact on the environment and approach to sustainability, as well as advising clients with their related legal needs.

The shift to a sustainable energy sector and the decarbonisation of existing energy systems, agrowing market for sustainable investments, increased focus on ESG criteria in urban planning, tax reforms and sustainability incentives to reach climate goals – these are just a few of the developments that are shaping the business environment.

Our teams are helping clients to navigate this rapidly evolving legal and regulatory landscape and advising on first-of-their-kind deals.
 

To find out how CMS can support you and your business with ESG click here >>

Recent Articles

  •  
    14/05/2024
    Hungary

    EU introduces criminal offences and penalties for sanctions violations

    Criminal offencesUnder the Directive, the following conduct constitutes a criminal offence when committed intentionally and in violation of restrictive measures or a national provision implementing restrictive measures:making funds or economic resources available directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of, a designated person, entity or body;failing to freeze funds or economic resources belonging to or owned, held or controlled by a designated person, entity or body;enabling designated natural persons to enter into, or transit through, the territory of a EU member state;entering into or continuing...
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  •  
    07/05/2024
    International

    Energy and climate change: The most significant climate change litigation decision yet?

    In Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland (application no. 53600/20), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued arguably the most impactful and far-reaching ruling on climate change by any European court. The decision has the potential to impact individuals, businesses, and governments in a radical way by casting the law (and courts) rather than governments (and parliaments) as the ultimate body responsible for deciding whether public authority action and inaction are appropriate in the context of climate change. Furthermore, if NGOs determine that a public authority...
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  •  
    26/04/2024
    Turkiye

    European Court of Human Rights Issues Landmark Climate Ruling with Implications for Türkiye and Beyond

    In a landmark judgment, the European Court of Human Rights (“ECtHR”) recently handed down a judgement on climate-related legal disputes, setting a precedent that has attracted attention beyond the country's borders, including in Türkiye. The case, Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland (Complaint no. 53600/20), underlines the increasing recognition of climate change as a human rights issue and the legal obligations of states to address it.The judgement of the ECtHR is based on a complaint by the association KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and others against Switzerland....
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  •  
    17/04/2024
    England and Wales

    AI-driven enforcement comes of age in UK with AI systems reshaping advertising and regulation and enforcement – ASA’s 2023 Annual Report

    The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published its 2023 annual report, describing 2023 as a watershed year for its digital strategy.Together, the ASA and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) secured the amendment or withdrawal of 27,378 ads in 2023, a remarkable 92% of which resulting from proactive work largely powered by the ASA’s Active Ad Monitoring System. In December 2022, the ASA ran 20,000 ads through the system, which rose to over 600,000 ads per month by the end of 2023. This system forms a key part of the ASA’s 2024 to 2028 strategy on AI-assisted...
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  •  
    03/04/2024
    Ukraine

    Register of Damage for Ukraine is open for claims submission

    On 2 April 2024, the Register of Damage for Ukraine opened the claims submission process for compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The launch took place as part of the Ministerial Conference "Restoring Justice for Ukraine" co-hosted by the Netherlands, Ukraine and the European Commission at the World Forum in The Hague.As a reminder, the official website of the Register of Damage for Ukraine was launched on 4 March 2024. The website contains the following:documents governing the work of the Register;answers to frequently asked questions on the Register’s...
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  •  
    02/04/2024
    Turkiye

    Green Claim and Green Litigation in Türkiye

    I.      Green Claim1.     DefinitionA ‘green claim’ is a claim that a product or service is environmentally friendly or sustainable. Such claims highlight environmental benefits, such as reducing the environmental impact of the product's production process or conserving natural resources. Countries have developed different practices to verify the authenticity of these claims and to prevent consumers from being misled. Inspection mechanisms have also been organised to prevent such false claims.2.     Control Mechanisms...
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ESG – Environmental, social and governance

We help you identify risks and opportunities arising from the increasing...

CMS Expert Guide to ESG Compensation

Incorporating ESG KPIs into directors’ remuneration