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ESG

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are at the forefront of corporate strategies, due to investor, customer and regulator expectations. The topic has been gaining momentum and is expected to accelerate in the coming years.

ESG is broadening its scope of influence to cover all economic and policy sectors now. From energy, finance and urban planning to tax – these are just a few of the areas that are being impacted.

We advise clients – from multinationals to start ups – in all sectors and areas of ESG-related law, including future mobility, climate change strategies, ESG due diligence and risk assessments, corporate digital responsibility, sustainable supply chains, whistleblowing, ESG funds and green real estate finance.

At CMS, our approach is integrated and multidisciplinary – this enables us to anticipate and understand the issues in the rapidly evolving ESG landscape which in turn allows us to develop innovative solutions for and with our clients.

Our aim is to help our clients successfully meet the demands of climate change, technological disruption, urbanisation and social concerns.


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12/03/2024
After EU Commission's first decision on Carbon Contracts for Difference,...
The European Commission approved the first Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) scheme under the new Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 (CEEAG).Fol­low­ing the...
23/02/2024
The CBAM – what is it and how will it affect the market?
Regulation (EU) 2023/956 establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) entered into force on 17 May 2023. The implementation of the CBAM has been divided into a transitional period (from 1...
19/01/2024
Greenwashing: Stricter EU rules on environmental marketing ban misleading...
On 17 January 2024, the European Parliament voted to adopt the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (the ECGT Directive), which seeks to protect consumers from various misleading...
19/01/2024
CBAM: Just over a week to comply
As the deadline for the first Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) report approaches on January 31st, it is crucial for undertakings engaged in importing relevant goods into the European Union to...
08/12/2023
COP28: Global Health Under the Spotlight
Health took centre stage at the first ever ‘Health Day’ at COP28 on 3 December. The program focused the attention of world leaders on the profound public health-related issues stemming from climate...
24/11/2023
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism transition in effect since 1 October...
On 1 October 2023, a two-year transitional period began for implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/956, which introduces the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM levies punitive CO2 charges...
07/11/2023
CMS Infrastructure Index: Partnerships, policies and geopolitics
The Infrastructure Index is designed to help investors understand the environment they may encounter in 50 different jurisdictions. Data from the 50 jurisdictions was analysed against nine key criteria to create a guide to the most attractive destinations for infrastructure investment. We also look at developments in some of the nations included in the Infrastructure Index, this year highlighting in particular the situation in our top-ranked country Germany and the need for reconstruction in Ukraine.
21/09/2023
The European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) –...
What is CSDDD?On 23 February 2022, the European Commission published its proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (the “Proposal”), which aims to foster sustainable and responsible...
30/08/2023
CBAM Implementing Regulation and Extensive Additional Reporting Guidance...
Earlier this month, the European Commission (“EC”) adopted an Implementing Regulation (“IR”) and released extensive Guidance Documents (“Guidance”) on the practicalities of reporting requirements...
21/08/2023
European Commission publishes European Sustainability Reporting Standards...
On 31 July 2023, the European Commission published the first set of the European sustainability reporting standards (ESRS). This is the first big step towards the implementation of the Corporate Sus­tain­ab­il­ity...
10/05/2023
CMS Green Globe
Stay informed about the latest sustainability claims trends and developments The CMS Green Globe is an interactive platform that allows businesses and clients to stay aware and duly informed about all the main rapidly changing trends and developments in relation to sustainability claims. The CMS Green Globe helps you to avoid greenwashing your consumer. Here you find:Latest news on sustainability claim­sIn­ter­act­ive map – Country-specific trends for 32 jur­is­dic­tions­G­lob­al trendsRelated ESG products by CMSKey contacts/CMS Green Globe TeamSubscribe to CMS Green Globe Newsletter here.
03/05/2023
Belgian Competition Authority assesses sustainability initiative in the...
The Belgian Competition Authority recently examined the sustainability initiative of IDH-Transforming Markets and certain large retail chains to promote living wages in the banana sector under competition...