The Malaysian Government has introduced the Corporate Green Power Programme to encourage the adoption of green electricity amongst corporate companies in Malaysia. This new initiative will be in addition to existing initiatives such as the net energy metering scheme, self-consumption schemes and the green electricity tariff programme to bolster Malaysia’s renewable energy agenda and promote carbon reduction.
After the introduction of the UK Modern Slavery Act, the French Duty of Vigilance Law, Germany also followed by adopting the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz or “LkSG”). The LkSG lays down extensive obligations for companies with regard to their own business area, but also their direct and indirect suppliers. Many of the necessary measures require preparation. Therefore, companies should finalize their preparation in the coming weeks as the LkSG enters into force in 2023.
Effective 28 October 2022, Canada implemented additional sanctions against Iran due to its “ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations and continued actions to destabilize regional peace and security.” An additional four individuals and two entities have been listed under Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.
Whether employers are making redundancy, promotion or more general day-to-day decisions, they should not disregard the risk of age discrimination simply because the employees concerned are of fairly similar ages. In an article published by Employment Law Journal, John Bracken analyzes three cases which highlight some of the perils employers face when making management decisions about older members of their workforce.
The UK’s political upheaval and fiscal policy changes are much-publicized. But where do we stand on recently proposed changes to employment law as Rishi Sunak starts his premiership? One of the Truss government’s tax proposals – repealing IR35 changes – might have had a significant effect on contractor workforce planning. However, this was abandoned and the current IR35 rules will remain. Conversely, for the time being, the government is pursuing its plans to limit the disruption caused by strike action in the transport sector. Similarly, the removal of the cap on bankers’ bonuses is still on the agenda. Also on the horizon is the potentially ground-changing proposal to scrap all retained EU law, which in theory could include TUPE.
Amidst the increased focus globally on respecting and protecting human rights, in a recent seminar organized in Thailand, the special advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan responsible for international human rights matters announced the adoption of the Guidelines on Respect for Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains by the Government of Japan.
Richard Allen, a principal in Baker McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration Practice Group based in Singapore, recently co-wrote an article with Roohi Ghelani of Ndevr Environmental.
Baker McKenzie, Trench Rossi Watanabe*, ICC UK and ICC Brasil present “COP Casts”, a series of interviews exploring climate change issues with experts representing a wide range of industries. Discussions on opportunities, complexities and challenges related to carbon markets in particular will introduce our audience to some of the topics that will be centre-stage at the upcoming 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, from 6 to 18 November 2022.
*Trench Rossi Watanabe and Baker McKenzie have executed a strategic cooperation agreement for consulting on foreign law.
After much buzz and anticipation in the Thai energy industry, the Energy Regulatory Commission has finally published (i) the official Regulations for Purchasing Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources under a Feed-in-Tariff Scheme between 2022-2030 for Power Plants with No Fuel Costs on 27 September 2022, and (ii) the official Invitation Notifications for Purchasing Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources under a Feed-in-Tariff Scheme between 2022-2030 for Power Plants with No Fuel Costs, specifying the bidding process and timeline of each type of renewable power plant on 30 September 2022. In keeping with Thailand’s commitment to increase renewable energy’s share in the country’s overall power mix to at least 50% by 2050 and achieve carbon neutrality and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and 2065, respectively, the government will be accepting bids in November to purchase power generated from renewable energy sources in the years between 2024 to 2030.
On 19 October 2022, Canada announced its third round of sanctions measures against the Iranian regime in response to its “ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations and continued actions to destabilize regional peace and security.” These measures add an additional six individuals and four entities to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.