Environment
Environmental sustainability is often at the start of many companies ESG journey and depending on your industry, the speed of change and the number of regulations that apply can be significant.
Our team at Irwin Mitchell offer specialist environmental advice on regulatory issues, litigation, and transactional matters for various sectors. So, whether you are taking on building a sustainable real estate development or want to embed your environmental requirements into your contracts with suppliers and lease agreements, we will be able to guide you through the process to ensure you continue to make strides forward in reducing the impact of your business and products on the environment.
While there are penalties for not complying with some of the regulations, there are also many opportunities for businesses to drive efficiency and cost saving as technology, new materials, alternate energy sources and innovative processes become more developed.
Our Environmental lawyers are at the rock face, working on a variety of diverse projects, participating and speaking at seminars and contributing to projects and reviews, so they are well positioned to keep you informed of upcoming changes and help you plan for any implications these may have for your business.
Carbon Literacy training
Our Carbon Literacy course for SMEs has been accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project, which means we can offer Carbon Literacy training to our clients. In doing so, we’re the first law firm to be able to deliver this training.
The training is a great way for your employees and managers to become more aware of the impact everyday individual and business actions have on the climate. You’ll also gain the motivation and ideas to reduce your emissions.
After completing a days’ worth of training and producing climate action plans, staff will become certified as Carbon Literate Individuals by the Carbon Literacy Project. There are options for businesses to become Carbon Literate Organisations.
In the training, we’ll cover:
- The science behind climate change
- The impacts of climate change
- The legal framework and reporting obligations
- What you can do to act on climate change
- Skills for communicating climate action.
We offer two different services for SMEs:
- Two half-day webinars for £2,000 + VAT
- One-day interactive workshop at your office for £2,500 + VAT.
The Carbon Literacy Project charge £30 per person (no VAT) for checking the climate action plans and issuing the certificates.
Discover moreNet Zero Readiness Assessment
This service is suitable for any organisation that is just starting its Net Zero journey or wishes to speed up action.
Our environmental lawyers will attend a site meeting and help you produce a bespoke pack of key documentation relating to climate action, including:
- A compliant environmental policy statement or climate policy
- A Net Zero Route Map and action plan
- A programme of carbon literacy training for up to 15 employees and managers.
Latest Insights & News
We have selected a few topical issues below, but for more inspiration on your sector or area of interest, click through to our media library here.
How Can We Help?
We advise both developers and landowners on air, water, land and energy matters. We’re well known for providing both contentious and non-contentious environmental advice in real estate and corporate transactions. We have expertise in issues related to contaminated land and the regeneration of brownfield sites. We’re at the forefront of the latest developments, regularly providing advice on the new regimes following on from Brexit (such as Biodiversity Net Gain requirements) and the climate change emergency.
Experienced in advising on environmental and regulatory matters for renewable energy related projects particularly wind and solar.
We can help government departments, businesses, charities and investors on all aspects of climate change law. This includes regulatory compliance with climate change responsibilities and providing legal support on climate change matters that might arise during project development.
Our specialists in property and commercial agreements can translate your environmental objectives and expectations into ‘green leases’ with landlords or tenants and suppliers or partners to ensure your strategy materialises throughout your supply chain.
Negotiating key contracts relating to sustainable products and packaging and complying with environmental regulation as well as packaging waste regimes.
Aligned with the Green Claims Code, businesses need to ensure that they are ethical and transparent in the communication about the sustainability credentials of their products and services. Our team can advise to ensure you comply with the code in a space that is rapidly becoming more regulated.
To explore the wider range of services offered by Irwin Mitchell see our Legal Advisory Service Page.
Long-Term Growth Ambitions For Leading Waste and Resource Management Provider
Irwin Mitchell’s corporate team has advised waste management group Reconomy on its acquisition of leading recycling firm Casepak and sister company, Oceala.
Reconomy Boosts Its Recycling Credentials With Casepak Acquisition
Environmental Waste Management
Advising a large waste management organisation on providing organic fertiliser products delivered to provide zero waste solutions for the food industry as well as delivering agricultural benefits. This service provides a complete circular economy for the waste and bi-products from food manufacturing.
Irwin Mitchell Activity In Environment
In a typical year we plant 4,000 trees at home and abroad, via projects with our stationery suppliers Red-Inc. Thanks to our partnership we’ve protected 3,000 acres of rainforest.
Read more in our Responsible Business Report
I have loved acting for the waste management and renewable energy sectors and seeing how they have evolved over time. Using my platform and passion to articulate change bringing with it positive outcomes for the businesses I advise and the environment.
A key element to being in such a position is being able to share best practice amongst clients and my professional network enabling collaboration and the pollination of ideas is the way I see I can affect the greatest change for us all to take responsibility in meeting our future environmental needs.
View Claire Petricca-Riding's Profile
More emphasis than ever is being placed on sustainable development with particular emphasis on environment, especially in relation to housing, providing for better environmental and social/community integration and raising the bar for living standards of future generations in all these regards.
Governance is a key part in my day-to-day role and the advice/work I do for our clients. I like to think laterally and wider than my immediate audience. Planning & Environment is known for sharing knowledge with colleagues, peers and third parties provides for greater opportunity to influence our industry for the better of all clients, connections, contacts and the larger communities within which we all live, work and play.
View Pamela's Profile
Keith is an environmental partner specialising in transactional advice and corporate climate action. He has over 25 years experience managing environmental liabilities in corporate and real estate transactions and brownfield development projects.
Keith is a former Environment Commissioner and has been top ranked for over a decade in respect of his transactional work and contaminated land expertise. He's passionate about climate action and plays a leading role in our Net Zero and ESG group.
View Keith's Profile
I am passionate about environmental issues (as you would expect!) and that passion only intensifies as I watch my two young daughters grow and as I wonder about the future they’re inheriting. I also fiercely believe that the innovation and power of business is crucial to moving towards a fairer, healthier and zero carbon world.
I support our business on its approach to corporate environmental sustainability, which is an area deservedly in the spotlight. The climate emergency is the fundamental driver for the growing expectations of the public and stakeholders - demanding that business shows leadership and operates in a transparent, responsible, and ethical way.
Contact Details
For all ESG enquiries, please contact us by phone or email.
Sectors
Our specialist sports lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the sports sector, many of them coming from sporting clubs and organisations themselves. They bring this passion and experience to a broad spectrum of ESG related services tailored to this industry, from corporate governance and compliance to environmental planning of a new stadium to awareness training on Diversity and Inclusion. For more information visit our Sport Sector ESG page.
The manufacturing sector is at the forefront of both the challenges and opportunities of building a sustainable business. From energy and emissions and waste management to responsible sourcing and large diverse workforces and work environments, our multi-disciplinary team of experts can help with achieving both the short-term wins and long-term goals. For more information visit our Manufacturing Sector ESG page.
Whether you are a developer, investor or occupier, there are significant considerations to ensure that properties are built and operated efficiently and responsibly. Our expert legal teams can advise across multiple real estate sectors to assist you in complying with regulations and managing the environmental and social impact of any property or development. From implementing of green leases and issuing of environmental permits to sophisticated environmental planning expertise, the team can guide you to achieve your ESG goals. For more information visit our Real Estate Sector ESG page.
Consumer facing and retail businesses are often in the spotlight when it comes to being responsible businesses. Fair labour practices, hyper consumerism and waste, safe working environments, packaging and marketing claims are all in a day’s work for these businesses. Our diverse team of consumer and retail specialists can advise on how to anticipate and plan for ESG considerations in this fast-moving environment to protect your business and ensure sustainable growth. For more information visit our Consumer Sector ESG page.
