Examining regulatory, litigation, and transactional legal issues related to government and industry response to climate change in the United States and in many jurisdictions worldwide on a quarterly basis since 2009.
Climate Change Regulatory Issues & Updates
New NEPA Proposed Rule from CEQ Leaves Uncertain How
U.S. Federal Agencies Must Assess Climate Change Impacts
On October 7, 2021, the Council on Environmental Quality
("CEQ") published a proposed rule announcing intentions
to modify certain aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act
("NEPA") regulations published in July 2020 under the
Trump administration.
[Details]
Environmental Labels, Greenwashing, and Ecocide Tackled
by France's New Climate Law
France's new Climate and Resilience Law is intended to
accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral and more resilient
society. It imposes additional requirements on goods and services
manufacturers and distributors, as well as more stringent
limitations on the use of language related to climate change and
stricter punishment for offenses against the environment.
[Details]
California Air Resources Board Preparing Scoping Plan for
Carbon Neutral Future
The California Air Resources Board is conducting public
workshops during the fall of 2021 as part of its planning for the
next Climate Change Scoping Plan, which will lay out strategies for
achieving California's greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets and related climate change goals.
[Details]
Climate Change Litigation Issues & Updates
Climate-Related Risk Heating Up Down Under
Over the last 12 months, there has been a proliferation in
shareholder action on climate-related risks in Australia, including
a wave of litigation and shareholder resolutions targeted at
federal and state governments and publicly listed companies.
[Details]
Oil Majors and Industrials Under Close Scrutiny in the
Netherlands for CO2-Neutral Advertising Claims
On September 15, 2021, the Dutch Advertising Code Committee,
regulating compliance with the Dutch Environmental Advertising Code
applicable to all environmental claims in advertising, issued two
decisions regarding the "Drive CO2 neutral" Shell
campaign, following complaints made by consumers and
students.
[Details]
Federal Court Dismisses States' Challenge to
President Biden's Executive Order 13990 on the Social Cost of
Greenhouse Gases
On August 31, 2021, a federal district
court dismissed a suit brought by 13 states, challenging an
executive order by President Biden that establishes an Interagency
Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases and directs
the Working Group to quantify in monetary values the social costs
of carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions.
[Details]
Climate Change Transactional Issues & Updates
Investor Focus on Climate Change Continues to Rise
Climate change has long been an area of focus for
investors. Recently, however, companies have come under greater
scrutiny and have begun to face increased pressure from investors,
regulators, activists, and the public to make commitments to
programs, policies, practices, and disclosures regarding climate
change. Today, it is widely accepted among investors that such
issues fall squarely within the purview of boards'
responsibilities.
[Details]
Sustainability in Aviation: Significant Efforts Underway
to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The aviation industry, including air carriers and aircraft
manufacturers, has taken significant steps toward increasing the
environmental sustainability of the industry. This article
highlights three specific ways by which the aviation industry, as a
whole, is moving to achieve carbon neutrality and increase its
sustainability.
[Details]
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
