COP31

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector remains a key component of European and German climate policy – the goal of achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 and in Germany by 2045 remains unchanged. Industry will have to play its part in reducing CO₂ emissions. Shifts in the political balance of power and changing governments are contributing to the mishmash of legal texts in this area becoming ever greater and their application becoming increasingly complex.

On 21 April 2026, the Government published its response to the Electricity Network Infrastructure: Consents, Land Access and Rights consultation, confirming an ambitious package of reforms designed to support the rapid expansion of the electricity grid needed to meet the Government’s Clean Power 2030 and Net Zero 2050 targets. These are important changes, although they do not go as far as industry had been recommending. 

Central and Eastern Europe is at an energy crossroads. To meet the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s binding target for 2030 – a 42.5% share of renewables in energy consumption – CEE needs a strong, sustained green energy drive. As the region gradually relinquishes its high fossil fuel dependence in favour of renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, the emergence of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) looks set to supplement the growing need for energy storage.

Analysing data from class action proceedings across Europe from the past six years, the report maps a true picture of class action risk for international businesses.

Now in its sixth year, the CMS European Class Action Report has charted the growth of class actions from a niche area to a significant strategic risk for corporates operating in Europe.

Our multi-disciplinary team can advise clients on managing these critical stakeholder relationships in a socially responsible way, to enhance their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

With specialist lawyers from around the world, we combine local legal knowledge with an international perspective to advise on a wide range of social issues.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a whole range of new opportunities but also includes new and unique risks for companies, governments and individuals within society. These opportunities and legal risks involve ethical, legal and regulatory challenges.

From foundational infrastructure to advanced applications, developing, deploying or using artificial intelligence gives rise to different challenges that businesses should understand when making any strategic AI investment. 

Covering over 40 jurisdictions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America, this scanner provides a clear, concise snapshot of the rapidly evolving global and regional AI regulatory landscape.

The European Union has laid the foundations for a new system for health data. After years of political wrangling, the European Health Data Space (“EHDS”) Regulation has now entered into force. This creates a framework to improve access to electronic health data and facilitate its use for research, innovation and regulatory purposes across the EU. 

On 8 May 2026, the EU Commission opened its consultation on the draft guidelines on AI transparency obligations under Article 50 of the AI Act, providing practical guidance to help authorities, providers, and deployers of AI systems to comply with their relevant obligations in a consistent, effective, and uniform way. The consultation period will run until 3 June 2026. Parliament is expected to vote on the final text by 7 July 2026.

The cyber threat landscape is intensifying rapidly. Incidents are rising sharply in frequency and severity across the globe, the average cost of a single breach now stands at USD 4.44m, and AI is making attacks more sophisticated and harder to detect.

Yet many businesses are not as prepared as they think. Our new report, Cyber Continuum: Ready, Resilient, Recovered, surveyed 400 business leaders across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East and found a striking disconnect between confidence and practical readiness.