UK climate law

In this briefing, the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative outline the key findings of the March 2024 legal opinion - ‘Nature-related risks and directors’ duties under the law of England and Wales’, and actions directors can take.

The Climate Change Committee explains a legal duty to act on climate change and The Climate Change Act 2008.

Chapter Zero has partnered with Freshfields and the Centre for Climate Engagement to explore climate-related legal questions with non-executive directors from across the UK. The series began in September 2023 with a session providing an overview of the interaction between climate change, legal issues and business, and then focusing on legacy risks to companies, including litigation, and how they can be mitigated. Below is a summary of the second session which explored the landscape of legal issues that organisations face in daily operations and when implementing climate strategy, identifying key legal considerations at the forefront of transition planning.

Chapter Zero partnered with Freshfields and the Centre for Climate Engagement in 2023 to explore key climate-related legal questions with non-executive directors from across the UK, especially in the context of transition planning. Below is a summary of the first session, which focused on legacy business and risks.

Understanding the impact of climate change and addressing it is a fiduciary responsibility for NEDs, says Chapter Zero Fellow Laurel Powers-Freeling. So, they must own it.

The FCA is expected to publish its policy statement on Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) for wealth, fund and asset managers in Q4 2023. Michael Johnson and Daniel Barry of KPMG UK offer five proactive steps for firms to consider.

This explainer explores what climate contracting is, how to use it, and why it may be a critical missing step to help your business achieve its transition to net zero.

This report, by Chapter Zero, the Centre for Climate Engagement, and Freshfields, highlights not only what non-executive directors need to know about climate law and regulation from a governance perspective, but importantly how to use this knowledge to become pioneers in the net zero transition.

Make informed decisions by understanding how climate change presents material financial and systemic risks which affect corporations and their investors, using the Climate Governance Initiative and Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative's Directors' Duties Navigator, with an updated section for the United Kingdom jurisdiction.

This guidance from The Law Society can be used to pre-empt the climate change risk your organisation faces and do business competently and compliantly.