Environment law specialists

The imperative for climate change and growing momentum for a green recovery post-pandemic has led businesses to explore opportunities, address their impact on the environment and keep an eye on relevant regulation. For over 25 years, CMS has consistently been a market leader in the UK and Europe in environment law advice whether on transactional, contentious or regulatory matters.

Specialist, cross-sectoral advice

We work across most sectors, including chemicals, cleantech, construction, consumer products, energy, energy efficiency, energy from waste, environment consultancy, finance, infrastructure and projects, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, telecoms, transport, water and waste management.

We often lead on a wide variety of transactional work where environment issues are dominant, including cutting edge development of contractual language.

The team regularly advises on disputes work involving prosecutions, regulatory enforcement, permitting appeals and variations, judicial reviews, civil disputes and nuisances, claims under indemnities and warranties, insurance, D&O claims and professional negligence.

Environment law specialists - selected track record 

Energy efficiency 

Advised various private equity funds, banks and large international manufacturing and real estate organisations such as Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Ametek, and John Laing Infrastructure Fund on energy efficiency, carbon and related reporting obligations across the EU. 

Clean Energy

Advising on numerous clean energy projects, including biomass, anaerobic digestion, EfW, landfill gas, energy storage, marine, wind and solar. 

SPAs 

Advising Orkney Council on Scottish Government proposals to designate large areas of Orkney waters as Special Protection Areas.

Best Available Techniques (BAT)

Successfully acting for Day Group on the reversal of a rare environmental permit refusal (based on BAT) for an IBA facility. 

Non-financial and GHG reporting

Advised an international manufacturer with installations across the EU and elsewhere, on GHG and non-financial reporting obligations at EU and UK levels. Advices included Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive, ESOS and CRC.

Disputes

Criminal, regulatory investigations, and civil disputes (including, prosecutions, enforcement notices, enforcement undertakings and other forms).

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