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ESG Litigation

‘Glocal’ Assistance on ESG Claims and Litigation

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are at the forefront of corporate strategies due to investor, customer and regulator expectations. The adoption of these criteria is expected to result in a fresh wave of litigation, centering on companies and their management teams. Companies are strongly encouraged to proactively address these emerging litigation risks and develop a strategy for effectively defending against such legal challenges.

Key contacts

ESG litigation bundles new risks and pre-existing risks. Climate change pressures and the need for companies to become more sustainable are particularly in the spotlight. International and national regulations are increasingly being drawn up in areas such as carbon footprint (emission reduction), market/product communication and financial reporting by companies. Partly as a result hereof, companies are increasingly being legally challenged from various angles on their responsibility with regard to sustainability. Greenwashing is another new litigation risk, albeit evolved from pre-existing risks inherent in misrepresentation. More traditional risks which fall into the ESG umbrella, but where litigation is increasing, concern supply chains and transnational torts.

ESG litigation is instigated by different actors, with different motivations. NGOs are increasingly using legal recourse as a means to advance their objectives. Consumers are also increasingly bringing claims, including as class actions, and the risk of investors/shareholder claims continues to climb.

At CMS, we specialize in guiding organizations through the web of ESG litigation risk, offering comprehensive support to identify potential risks early and establish a strategy to defend against ESG-related disputes.

Our advice includes: 

Please contact us if you require legal advice in this field

 Our global ESG litigation team



ESG Litigation training - tailored to your business model 

ESG pressure on multinationals is on the rise due to increasing legislation and higher priority from different actors (regulators, business partners, value chain and customers/NGOs).
 
The potential ESG litigation on companies and its D&O resulting therefrom creates a new kind of business risk with specific international and reputational dynamics. This requires a specific international pro-active approach in relation to risk management.
 
CMS offers a training tailored to the business model of its clients and relations to identity the specific dynamics of ESG Litigation, the different types of ESG and first insights in risk management.



Get valuable insights into the latest trends in dispute resolution with our podcast series:

 

ESG Litigation

CMS Expert Guide to International Arbitration

27 Mar 2026 3 min read

CMS Arbitration Atlas

20 Mar 2026 3 min read

Unauthorised Transactions and Immediate Refunds: Key Takeaways from Advocate General Rantos' Opinion in C-70/25 ECJ Case

20 Mar 2026 6 min read

Green claims in focus

18 Mar 2026

Epstein, Privilege & the Long Arm of the Law

27 Feb 2026 6 min read

Navigating the Orbital Superhighway: Satellite collisions and the lack of a legal framework

12 Feb 2026 3 min read

Taxation of services in defence contracts: UN tax work pushes to change the rules

12 Feb 2026 3 min read

Protecting classified information in Germany: Key requirements for the international arena

12 Feb 2026 3 min read

Events

  • International
    08 Apr 2026

    CMS at Fordham IP & Policy Conference

  • International
    21 Apr 2026

    On the Pulse webinar series 2026 - Spring/Summer

  • International
    28 Apr 2026

    Strategic expansion to India: A new chapter for UK higher education

  • International
    28 Apr 2026

    IP Insights webinar series 2026

  • International
    02 May 2026

    CMS at INTA 2026

  • International
    05 May 2026

    2026 Insurance sector webinar programme

  • International
    13 May 2026

    2026 ITechLaw World Technology Law Conference in Chicago

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