Our future depends on the sustainability of the work we do today. Against the backdrop of the global pandemic, the global economic crisis and a global climate change crisis, building and maintaining a sustainable and resilient business presents significant opportunities and challenges. Transitioning to a net zero economy. Finding a balance between progress and consumption. Adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. Finding funding solutions to access the capital needed to transform our environments. Promoting social inclusivity and defending human rights. Scrutinising governance standards and corporate behaviour in an increasingly regulated global landscape.

Our global multidisciplinary teams offer strategic legal and regulatory advice to help you navigate continually evolving policies and regulations across the globe.
 

What responsible business means to
Norton Rose Fulbright

We put our own commitment to environmental and social sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

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In focus

Sustainable finance

Sustainable finance

Financial institutions will need to assess, monitor and disclose the sustainability of their investments to build a resilient global financial system.
Environmental regulation and circular economy

Environmental regulation and circular economy

Environmental regulation and climate change are now of key importance to our clients’ commercial activities and most importantly to all our lives.
Human rights

Human rights

As the legal and regulatory landscape changes and ESG expectations grow, we expect to see an increased spotlight shone on ESG criteria and reporting.
Global: Sustainable cities

Global: Sustainable cities

Insights on global urban migration and infrastructure projects in an evolving market

Future of transport

Future of transport

Transitioning the sector to environment-friendly fuelled-transport modes will require significant investment and time.
Energy transition

Energy transition: Transforming change into opportunity

While global demand for energy continues to rise, increasing pressure to support the decarbonisation of the industry has spearheaded radical change.

Key resources

Beyond COP27

Beyond COP27: Latest insights, news and resources

COP27, the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 7-18 November 2022.

Global | Publication | September 28, 2022
Climate change and sustainability disputes

Climate change and sustainability disputes

Climate change and sustainability developments presents great opportunities but also manifest as a complex myriad of global legal, financial and reputational risks for companies, governments, directors and officers and other professionals operating in all sectors globally.

Global | Publication | July 01, 2021

Latest insights

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    “Double materiality”: What does it mean for non-financial reporting?

    “Double materiality”: What does it mean for non-financial reporting?

    Companies have been publicly reporting on their financial performance for over a hundred years. However, they are increasingly having to make public non-financial disclosures relating to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters as a result of rules, laws and regulations issued by stock exchanges, governments and regulators worldwide.

    Global | Publication | May 15, 2023

    Environmental, social, governance (ESG)
    International arbitration and climate change

    International arbitration and climate change

    International arbitration is an important dispute-resolution mechanism for climate-change disputes, but recent developments point in a different direction for now.

    Global | Publication | May 15, 2023

    Issue 20
    The green energy transition: Clouds on the horizon?

    The green energy transition: Clouds on the horizon?

    Our lawyers analyse some of the biggest risk faced by renewable energy projects.

    Global | Publication | May 15, 2023

    Issue 20
    Third-Party funding for energy disputes

    Third-Party funding for energy disputes

    How parties to energy disputes may increasingly turn to third party funding to fund expensive and long-running disputes.

    Global | Publication | May 15, 2023

    Issue 20
    Shipping and EU ETS: The changing landscape

    Shipping and EU ETS: The changing landscape

    In July 2021, the European Union (EU) released the ‘Fit for 55’ package, a set of proposals to update EU law in order to meet the EU’s aims of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. A number of the proposals are intended to impact the shipping industry, including the proposed expansion of the EU emissions trading scheme (the EU ETS) to include maritime transport. On 18 December 2022, after scrutiny from a number of EU legislative chambers, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on the EU ETS proposals. A draft version of the directive was published on 8 February 2023 and this was approved by the EU Parliament on 18 April 2023 (the Directive)..

    Global | Publication | April 20, 2023

    Shipping law insights
    Shipping JOLCOs and environmental regulations: How the market is set to change

    Shipping JOLCOs and environmental regulations: How the market is set to change

    A Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) is a structured leasing arrangement that originally gained popularity in the aviation sector but has been increasingly common in the shipping sector over the last decade.

    Global | Publication | April 18, 2023

    Shipping law insights
    

    ESG products

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    Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Project Manager

    The SFDR Project Manager tool helps firms project manage their SFDR implementation and provides key legal guidance to ensure all relevant provisions are met.

    November 21, 2022

    ruler, magnifying glass and other measuring tools

    Collaborative Engagement Tool

    NRF's Collaborative Engagement Tool allows investors to collaborate confidently while reducing the burden on legal teams to manage the associated risks.

    May 11, 2022

    Horizon Scanning

    NRF Horizon Scanner

    A tailored service for the early assessment of upcoming changes to law and regulation

    December 05, 2022

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    Risk advisory hub

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    Responsible business

    Our commitment to sustainability

    We aim to minimize our impact on the environment – to protect the planet, ensure that resources are available for future generations and create a better quality of life for all living beings. We integrate sustainability best practice into all our decision-making and business activities. We recognize our responsibility to address environmental issues that jeopardize the earth’s ecosystems and the future of our communities and as a firm we work on reducing our environmental footprint and are active on many pro bono projects in the areas of sustainability.


    Norton Rose Fulbright supports the Sustainable Development Goals. We have adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals as our overarching guiding principles. With the goals being the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, we focus on those where we can have the greatest impact.

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    Responsible business

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    Diversity and inclusion

    Our vision is to be an employer of choice worldwide, attracting and retaining the best people in order to provide our clients with the most considered and innovative advice.

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    Community

    We believe that we have a responsibility, as corporate citizens, to use our skills and knowledge where we can make a difference for the wider communities in which we operate, to help shape the future in a way that provides economic, ecological and social benefits for all.

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    Sustainable practice

    We aim to minimize our impact on the environment – to protect the planet, ensure that resources are available for future generations and create a better quality of life for all living beings.

    Contacts

    Farmida Bi, CBE
    Farmida Bi, CBE
    Chair, Europe, Middle East and Asia
    Email
    T: +44 20 7444 5842
    Peter Scott
    Peter Scott
    Managing Partner, Europe, Middle East and Asia
    Email
    T: +44 20 7444 3834
    Caroline May
    Caroline May
    Head of Sustainability, Europe, Middle East and Asia; Head of Environment, health and safety, Europe, Middle East and Asia; Partner
    Email
    T: +44 20 7444 3251

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