At the Ahead of Tax & Legal Conference 2023, taking place on 1 June 2023, Baker McKenzie tax and legal experts will highlight three important themes: race to net zero, innovation and the international business climate.

Financial institutions are critical players in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy and, because of their role in allocating capital, they can act as a catalyst in achieving better environmental, social and governance outcomes in society generally. Baker McKenzie’s updated Sustainability Risk Radar analyzes the most pressing sustainability risks that FIs need to consider in 2023.

Baker McKenzie’s newest sustainability briefing focuses on the hot topic of transition finance, which is relevant to lenders and borrowers in commercial and syndicated lending. In the context of publications by industry and standard setting bodies such as the Glasgow Financial Alliance for net zero and experience in the market, the briefing discusses: transition finance, credible transition plans, risks and challenges and market progress.

Following the fifth trilogue on 28 February 2023, the European Council and European Parliament each confirmed that a provisional agreement on the new standard to fight greenwashing in the bonds market, the “European Green Bonds Standard”, has now been reached.
Despite initially divergent views on several contentious points, with the Parliament pushing for substantive amendments to the Council’s proposal of 13 April 2022 intended further to heighten regulation, supervision, transparency and accountability across the entire green bond market, this provisional agreement marks a significant step towards creating the first ‘best in class’ standard for issuing green bonds.

Watch and listen to Baker McKenzie specialists and industry experts talk about recent legal and commercial developments affecting financial institutions around the world. The latest webinar in the series looks at Sustainability for Financial Institutions – Global Trends and the LatAm Perspective.

As we embark on the journey towards net zero, financial institutions aspire to increase their understanding of Sustainability-related commercial and regulatory developments. We are inviting you to our upcoming webinar on 12 December 2022, which aims to cover global trends and highlight perspectives from Latin America.

The EU has politically agreed on the adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, and will likely adopt it before the end of 2022. The CSRD will overhaul the current sustainability reporting landscape for all multinational companies with significant activities in the EU, including those headquartered outside the EU. The reporting obligations of the CSRD will progressively come into force between 2024 and 2028.

Just and sustainable economy: Commission lays down rules for companies to respect human rights and environment in global value chains
On 23 February 2022 the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The proposal aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains. They will be required to identify and, where necessary, prevent, end or mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights, such as child labour and exploitation of workers, and on the environment, for example pollution and biodiversity loss.

In this series of short podcasts, Baker McKenzie ESG Debt & Equity experts discuss key tips and things you should you when considering raising sustainable finance, including the ever-evolving legal and regulatory requirements across regions.

This series of ESG-focused thought leadership webinars will share insights and practical guidance for businesses considering what ESG means for them. Set out are details of our forthcoming demystifying ESG webinar series for 2022 including: regulations, executive pay, climate change, strategic initiatives and corporate responsibility.