ESG and Sustainability

About

Many businesses are increasingly embracing responsible commercial practices, including a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for a sustainable future. As market, social, economic and political changes accelerate ESG and sustainability concerns, clients face a rapidly evolving reporting and regulatory landscape that differs significantly across jurisdictions and industries. We help companies, financial institutions, sovereigns, investors and other stakeholders navigate ESG and sustainability issues and seize opportunities while maximizing their long-term economic stability and growth.

 

Environmental

More and more transactions and disputes involve complex environmental issues and compliance requirements. Our international teams of environmental lawyers guide clients in navigating international, national and local environmental regulations relevant to their operations. We also bring a deep bench of expertise in climate change disputes.

We are at the forefront of energy transition, supporting clients as they face increasing demands to clarify the implications of energy transition for their operations and business models. Clients come to us for our ability to deliver sound legal advice when investing in both traditional core renewable assets and in newer technologies such as carbon capture, battery storage and hydrogen. Successful investment in such assets requires advice from lawyers who have in-depth knowledge of the assets, regulations and local markets. Our lawyers have significant experience in monetization projects, corporate venturing and investments into transition assets, renewable energy project development and financing; SDG securitizations, green bonds and finance with ESG requirements; energy/environmental-related litigation; and the development of new technologies.

Issuers, arrangers, sovereigns, investors and others are raising capital and making investments through sustainable finance arrangements, including green bonds offerings. Our Capital Markets and Debt Finance teams devise innovative structures to finance capital sustainably.

Related servicesEnvironment & Climate ChangeEnergyEnergy TransitionCapital MarketsDebt Finance

 

Social

Over the past several years, there has been a dramatic transformation of the legal and reputational risks associated with business impacts on human rights. We advise and support our clients to prepare for, act and respond to these changes, including risk management, due diligence, policies and procedures, investment structures, social assessments, reporting, and grievance and remediation mechanisms. With an increasing volume and complexity of proxy resolutions and claims related to human rights, diversity and inclusiveness and human capital issues, and evolving and sensitive disclosure requirements, we help clients manage the mounting pressure for transparency and responsibility in their operations and international supply chains.

Related servicesBusiness & Human RightsPublic Company AdvisoryMining & MetalsCapital MarketsAntitrust/CompetitionCommercial LitigationMergers & AcquisitionsTechnologyProject Development and Finance

 

Governance

Companies, boards and investors need to implement strategically aligned ESG reporting and disclosures. Our support allows public company boards to meet ESG oversight expectations and mandates of regulators, institutional investors and markets. We are experienced in deploying optimal, market-specific approaches to adopting various international and sector-specific standards, frameworks and initiatives (e.g., UN Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, Sustainable Development Goals, CDP, GRI, PRI, SASB, TCFD, UNGC).

Related servicesEnvironment & Climate ChangeBusiness & Human RightsPublic Company AdvisoryData, Privacy & CybersecurityAntitrust/CompetitionRegulatory & ComplianceShareholder ActivismWhite Collar/Investigations

 

 

Our story

As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, White & Case recognizes that like our clients, we are also on an ESG journey. We are continually improving our ESG performance across our global network of offices and supply chain. We have a long history of pro bono projects, volunteer programs, charitable contributions and responsible business practices. Since launching our own Green Initiative ten years ago, our environmental sustainability efforts have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by approximately one-third.

Learn more about our initiatives

See our 2023 Environmental Sustainability Report

Read our Global Citizenship Review

 

Awards & Recognition

"Most innovative law firm" for "social justice and rule of law"
FT North America win based on our "commitment both to clients' evolving needs and making a social impact."

#1 legal advisor for shareholder and public company activism
Recognition for our work helping companies and shareholders in connection with ESG, sustainability and other shareholder and stakeholder issues.

Most diverse Top 50 US law firm
First among Am Law 50 firms in The American Lawyer magazine's survey of law firm minority lawyers and partners.

"Green Bond of the Year"
Environmental Finance named a transaction on which global law firm White & Case LLP advised "Green bond of the year" at the 2021 Environmental Finance Bond Awards. The awards "celebrate the leading green, social and sustainability bond deals and leading market participants," according to Environmental Finance. Winners were selected by a panel of judges from among major green bond investors.

Experience

White & Case Advises on Procurement and Financing of World's Largest Single Site Solar Project

White & Case Advises Morgan Stanley Energy Partners on Its Strategic Partnership with SolMicroGrid

White & Case Advises FSN Capital on Financing of Acquisition of Obton Group

White & Case Advises Brookfield on Sale of Malaysian Solar Energy Business

White & Case Advises Joint Bookrunners on Aeroporti di Roma's €300 Million Green Bond Issuance

White & Case Advises a Consortium of Korean Investors on Acquisition of Significant Equity Interest in Large-Scale US Wind Portfolio

White & Case Advises FEFA on MXN 10 Billion Bond Issuance and Inaugural Social Bond

White & Case Advises Siemens Financial Services on Investment in Brazilian Solar Power Developer Brasol

White & Case Advises Trill Impact on ESG-linked Financing

White & Case Advises Federal Republic of Germany on First Issuance of Green Federal Bond with Principal Amount of €6.5 Billion

White & Case Advises Masdar on Acquisition of 1.6 GW of Solar and Wind Farm Assets in the US

White & Case Advises Global Tailings Review on First Ever Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management

White & Case Advises African Development Bank on Sustainable Development Goals-linked Bond Issuance

White & Case Advises Lenders on a Project Financing of Mangilao Solar Project with Battery Storage

White & Case Advises Citigroup on Enel's New Sustainable Development Goal Target ECP Programme

White & Case Advises Eurogrid on €750 Million Debut Green Bond Issue

White & Case Advises E.ON on Issuance of Green Bond with Principal Amount of €750 Million

An essential element: Two court cases are critical to preventing water pollution

White & Case Advises Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on 589 MW CFXD Offshore Wind Project in Taiwan

White & Case Advises Faurecia on Hydrogen Mobility Joint Venture with Michelin

White & Case Advises Neoen and John Laing on A$650 Million Portfolio Refinancing of Hornsdale Wind Farm

White & Case Advises Lenders on First ESG-Linked Financing in Poland

White & Case Advises G20 SFSG on Landmark Initiative to Create Sustainable CLO Market

White & Case, Fordham Law School and Gimpa Law School Join the African Centre on Law & Ethics to Hold Programs on Legal Ethics

Flint is Finally Moving to Help Kids Recover from Lead Poisoning's Toxic Legacy

White & Case advises Neoen on Hydrogen Superhub

White & Case Advises Lightsource on Launch of 'Lightsource BP' Solar Power Partnership