MEGATRENDS
Sustainability and Energy Transition
How we help to create and protect our client's sustainable value for the long term
Ashurst's perspective isn’t limited by the world as it is – but is inspired by the world as it could be.
We are committed to being part of a sustainable present and future for our people, clients and communities by outpacing change in the actions we take as a responsible business and through the advice and services we provide.
We believe sustainability is critical to your ability to create and protect value, and is essential if your business is to remain relevant and resilient in the long term. It is the lens through which a responsible business evaluates material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks and opportunities for stakeholders across the value chain.
Change brings opportunities for growth. Businesses need to invest and innovate to seize these opportunities. They now need to adapt to changing demographics, employee expectations, consumer-buying patterns, energy and security needs.
Sustainable finance is rapidly evolving: ESG factors are being integrated into financial decision-making processes and capital is being mobilised to finance sustainable initiatives.
The geopolitical landscape is dynamic and constantly evolving. Accordingly, embedding sustainability in business strategy, governance and operations makes it more likely that your business will be future-proof, relevant and resilient in this landscape.
The convergence of sustainability and digitalisation is reshaping the corporate landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Sustainable innovation enables us to rethink our operations and create sustainability-conscious products and services, while generative AI has the potential to radically transform the way in which we all do business.
Supporting clients
We help clients to create and preserve their value for the long term through comprehensive legal, risk advisory and consulting services. Our global experience and expertise helps clients to seize opportunities and mitigate the risks of transitioning to a more sustainable future. We also draw on our technology team to provide advanced electronic collaboration, automation and production tools to provide faster, more consistent and cost-effective legal services.
We advise on energy and decarbonisation around the world, providing an end-to-end expert advisory service covering the full energy value chain, as well as other core areas such as transport, social infrastructure and real estate. We regularly work on high-profile matters around the globe, including renewables and decarbonisation technologies, many of which are first of their kind. We recognise that fossil fuels are still a necessary part of our economy in many parts of the world and until technological advancements are realised will still be part of the energy mix. We advise companies and governments in this sector, including on how they can support energy security, navigate increasingly complex regulations and manage their impact during their transition.
Sustainable finance has been a key issue for investors and banks for some time, and businesses are increasingly taking a proactive approach in this area. We act for borrowers, lenders, arrangers and investors across a broad range of financing transactions – renewable projects, bonds, loans, structured products and more. We are ideally placed to advise on all aspects of sustainable investment and development. We have an impressive track record of working on a number of market firsts in the green, social and sustainability bond and sustainability-linked loan markets. We have also advised businesses on their first ever digital bond, which brings value add for both issuers and investors.
Respect for human rights is a key part of being a business due to a range of international, regional and national legal standards as well as community and stakeholder expectations. Failure to address human rights matters exposes businesses to a range of legal, commercial and reputational risks. We work closely with businesses to navigate this space, adopting a multi-disciplinary and practical approach. We help our clients say what they mean, and do what they say.
Boards must be ready to respond to rapidly evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical issues across the sustainability agenda. Our global governance, sustainability and risk advisory experts advise on climate transition plans, corporate and ESG reporting, internal controls, fraud detection systems, artificial intelligence matters, cyber-preparedness and resilience, psychosocial safety, directors liability, executive remuneration, greenwashing and litigation risk.
Global expertise
A multi-disciplinary team that can support you in responsibly navigating your decarbonisation journey through proactive legal and non-legal risk management across multiple time zones.
Digital innovation
The use of digital technologies enables you to rethink your operations and optimise resources. We can help you to develop digital strategies to enhance your current activities and transform your business.
Commercial solutions
Our forward-thinking approach not only looks at today's challenges but horizon scans for tomorrow, helping you to navigate the evolving landscape by delivering practical solutions to your most complex challenges.
As well as assisting our clients, we have incorporated Sustainability into our own strategy, governance and operations. That's why at Ashurst we are committed to being a Responsible Business in which we empower our people, protect our planet, promote prosperity in our communities and employ sound principles of governance.
Explore more
Nearing Net Zero
Tune into our Nearing Net Zero vodcast series and keep up with the major ESG updates for 2024.
Governance & Compliance
A regular update on the key developments that Boards should be aware of – touching regularly on topics across the sustainability agenda.
Greenwatch series
Ashurst's regular briefing on the evolving risk of greenwashing and how to manage it.
Sustainable Finance
The Sustainable Finance Law Review provides a living guide to the sustainable finance worldwide.
Powering Change: Regulatory readiness
The need to rapidly accelerate the transition to cleaner energy is now more important than ever.
ESG Matters @ Ashurst
This podcast series will keep you across the global trends and local issues that are shaping the legal landscape.
Responsible Business
Creating and protecting your sustainable value for the long term.
Business and human rights
A deep dive into historic global ESG developments to predict what may lay ahead.
External partnerships
Ashurst is an active voice in associations and forums globally and recognised as advancing the sustainability agenda with our people, clients and communities.
Find out moreHow we can help
To help our clients outpace change, we blend capabilities in innovative ways. Our expert legal team works seamlessly with our Ashurst Risk Advisory team to provide practical and commercial approaches to managing risk, driving change and compliance, as well as operational performance. We also draw on Ashurst Advance, our technology team, to provide advanced electronic collaboration, automation, and tools to provide faster and cost-effective legal services.
Legal
- Antitrust, Regulation and Foreign Investment
- Banking and Finance
- Capital Markets
- Corporate and M&A
- Digital Economy
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment
- Financial Regulation
- Fintech
- Intellectual Property
- International Arbitration
- Investigations
- Investment Funds
- Planning, Environment and First Nations
- Projects & Energy Transition
- Real Estate
- Restructuring and Special Situations
- Tax
Latest thinking
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Legal development 
New ESMA Questions & Answers on its Guidelines on Funds' Names Using ESG or Sustainability-Related Terms and Updated CSSF FAQ on SFDR
19 Dec 2024
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Legal development 
CSSF Alerts Investors To Greenwashing Risks In Green Finance
09 Dec 2024
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Legal development
Federal Court approves ASIC's second civil penalty of $12.9 million for greenwashing conduct
26 Sep 2024
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Legal development
Sustainable investment options and exclusions: Federal Court approves ASIC's first-ever civil penalty of $11.3 million for greenwashing conduct
05 Aug 2024
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Legal development
The comparison of the EU CS3D and the German LkSG directives
01 Aug 2024
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Legal development 
What's in a name? European guidelines for the use of ESG-related terms in fund names finalised
11 Jun 2024
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