Environment - Cleantech

Welcome to the home of environment – cleantech on Law-Now.

On this page, you will find all the articles and publications for environment – cleantech. You can also access CMS’ report on the impact of cleantech on key sectors in Europe by clicking here.

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Recent Articles

  •  
    15/01/2025
    China

    2025 – Topics that may Concern You

    Companies doing business in China constantly have to deal with changes in regulations and new laws. This will also continue in 2025.Topics such as the new PRC Company Law, new PRC Tariff Law, PRC Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, network data security management, data transfer, opening up capital markets to foreign investment, and raise of statutory retirement age of employees etc. will continue to be a concern for many companies in China in 2025.Complying with regulatory requirements is one of the key challenges for foreign companies and investors in China, not only in terms of...
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  •  
    11/06/2024
    Poland

    Poland to create regulatory environment for development of hydrogen market

    PL
    In May 2024, the Polish government published the legislative package known as the ‘Hydrogen Constitution’, a milestone in achieving the goals of Poland’s hydrogen strategy. The draft lays the foundations for the development of the green hydrogen market for achieving climate neutrality and strengthening the competitiveness of the Polish economy.Background, genesis and scope of the changesAlthough Poland is currently one of the leading hydrogen producers in the EU, this production primarily relies on grey hydrogen, which is produced through reforming natural gas or other hydrocarbons...
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  •  
    13/03/2024
    International

    After EU Commission's first decision on Carbon Contracts for Difference, Germany initiates bidding of EUR 4bn

    The European Commission approved the first Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) scheme under the new Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 (CEEAG).Following the Commission's decision, on 12 March 2024 the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) initiated the first bidding process with a total volume of EUR 4bn. With this funding scheme, Germany is taking a pioneering role in Europe and internationally in the field of state aid for climate protection. Concept of contracts for differenceA contract for difference entitles...
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  •  
    31/01/2024
    Poland

    Poland’s changes to waste management system in line with EU directives

    The recent past has been full of legislative changes regarding waste management, driven by the implementation of environmental and climate protection legislative packages, including the introduction of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Each of the legislative proposals implements different EU objectives and requirements. In the following article, we take a closer look at the most important regulations changing the waste management system in Poland, which directly concern extended producer responsibility (EPR), single-use plastic packaging (SUP) and the deposit system.SUPThe first of the proposed...
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  •  
    17/07/2023
    Poland

    Poland amends Planning and Land Development Act bringing crucial changes to investment and construction

    On 7 July 2023, the Polish parliament adopted an amendment to the Planning and Land Development Act. The act has been sent for the President’s signature and will be promulgated in the Journal of Laws with the changes taking effect within 30 days of promulgation and the most significant changes coming into force on 1 January 2026.Below we discuss the current legal status and essential changes introduced by the amendments.What is the situation now?Currently, the majority of investments can be conducted on the basis of zoning decisions or the local development plan. In practice, a local development...
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  •  
    25/05/2023
    Poland

    Poland drafts bill to encourage investment in biogas and biomethane projects

    The Polish government has adopted a bill amending the Renewable Energy Sources Act that is expected to facilitate the development of biogas and biomethane projects. This draft legislation, which was sent to the lower chamber of the Polish Parliament (Sejm) for legislative work on 8 May, represents another initiative (further to the draft Biogas Act described at CMS Law-Now a few weeks ago) aimed at boosting the biogas and biomethane market in Poland. The key changes to be introduced are presented below.Definition of biomethane The bill introduces a definition of biomethane, meaning “gas derived...
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