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

  •  
    05/12/2024
    Europe

    Updated EU Chemicals, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation: implications for labels, advertisers, online marketplaces

    The updated EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging of hazardous chemicals Regulation (CLP Regulation) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 20 November 2024 and enters into force on 10 December 2024.New provisions and clarifications include:practical labelling changes, in particular mandatory formatting rules for labels to ensure legibility (including minimum font sizes and spacing), greater flexibility to use fold-out labels/leaflets (with mandatory content and arrangement of label elements), additions to what must be included when using ‘limited’ labelling, and voluntary...
    Read more
  •  
    04/12/2024
    Hungary

    Hungary to introduce new statistical classification for economic activities on 1 January 2025

    As of 1 January 2025, a new version of the statistical industrial classification of activities (NACE’25) will replace the currently applicable classification system (NACE’08). The change was mandated by EU legislation, and as a result from 1 January 2025 economic activities pursued by Hungarian companies must be classified according to the new NACE’25.Hungary’s parliament has just adopted the act outlining the obligations of Hungarian companies regarding the upcoming changes to the activity-classification system specified below.Until 31 January 2025, the National Tax and...
    Read more
  •  
    28/11/2024
    International

    CMS’s insights on COP29 themes

    The discussions at COP29 Azerbaijan show how difficult it is to achieve global environmental goals. CMS lawyers have been reflecting on the themes of the conference in short videos and articles, housed on the CMS COP29 hub.A summary of CMS’s coverage is below and if you’d like to hear directly from the CMS COP29 delegates, now home from Baku, please join their discussion on Friday 29 November by registering here: CMS at COP29 online sessionBridgett Majola reflects on the need to align climate finance contributions with global needs and the current situation in Africa.Munir Hassan discusses...
    Read more
  •  
    19/11/2024
    Netherlands

    Netherlands Court of Appeal Milieudefensie v. Shell decision to have far-reaching implications

    On 12 November, the Court of Appeal in The Hague rendered a landmark judgment in the climate case of Milieudefensie et al. v. Shell, which has garnered worldwide attention given its broader implications for corporate responsibility in addressing climate change. The following article delves into the key elements of the court's decision structured around the seven pillars that guided the judgment and explores the ruling’s potential implications. Climate change and human rights: The court began by affirming that protection against climate change is a fundamental human right. This principle...
    Read more
  •  
    04/10/2024
    Europe

    The EU Deforestation Regulation: deferred application, updated guidance and new FAQs

    On 2 October 2024, the European Commission published a proposal for a new legislative act which would defer the application of the recently adopted EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, citing the concerns raised by international partners about EUDR and the need to allow them and affected entities additional time to prepare.Separately, the Commission published updated Guidance on the interpretation of some of the key provisions of the EUDR and an updated, lengthy, Frequently Asked Questions document.BackgroundThe EUDR, which is an EU statute designed to ensure that no products or commodities...
    Read more
  •  
    04/10/2024
    International

    A week in the world of ESG

    A lot can happen over the course of a week in the world of ESG. Since Wednesday 25 September 2024, there have been several important developments in Europe and the US and, while we don’t claim to cover every development, this is a summary of those that have most captured our interest and attention.As ever, please reach out if you would like to discuss any of these areas in more detail.European Commission begins infringement process regarding transposition of the CSRDOn Thursday 26 September 2024, the European Commission (“EC”) announced that it has sent letters to 17 EU Member...
    Read more