Green leases are a relatively new concept in Northern Ireland's commercial property market, but they are gaining traction among landlords and tenants alike. Essentially, a green lease is a rental agreement that includes provisions for sustainable building management practices, environmental performance, and energy efficiency.
BelfastFrom 12 April 2023, minimum salary thresholds and going rates will increase for a number of visa routes. These changes reflect the upcoming increases in UK national minimum wage and national living wage rates.
Employment & Incentives BelfastOn 10 March 2023, the Irish Government published its policy decision entitled 'Accelerating Ireland's Offshore Energy Programme: Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind'.
Environmental & PlanningESMA, greenwashing, ELTIFs, AIFMD Q&A, insider lists, MiFIR/ MiFID II, BMR, CSDR, PRIIPs KID, AML/CFT/ FS.
Asset Management & Investment FundsCosts and fees, IAF, CBI expectations, PRIIPs, marketing UCITS and AIFs, F&P, MMFs, CBI Markets Updates.
Asset Management & Investment FundsSection 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ('the Act') places an obligation on corporations supplying goods and services in the UK (and which have an annual turnover threshold of £36 million or more) to publish an annual slavery and human trafficking statement.
BelfastSince 1 April 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have required commercial landlords to ensure that their commercial properties in England and Wales have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating of E. From 1 April 2023, it will be unlawful for a landlord to continue to let a commercial property with a sub-standard rating, unless a valid exemption applies.
BelfastIn order to further the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European Commission put forward proposals on 6 July 2021 for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European green bonds. Provisional agreement has now been reached on this proposal and our update provides an overview of this proposal.
Capital Markets - DebtIn January 2023 the Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) published a suite of green lease clauses for use in commercial leases in Ireland. This article outlines the clauses, which are divided into three sets.
ESG & SustainabilityThis article considers some of the key changes relating to energy performance certificates, minimum energy performance standards, data exchange and renovation passports.
ESG & SustainabilityThis article provides an overview of the requirements of the Gender Balance on Boards Directive. It also provides some insight into the state of play in Ireland on the question of gender equality at board and senior executive level.
Corporate & M&AWhile employment related matters are typically considered to fall within the social aspect of ESG, there are some issues that straddle both the social and governance elements of ESG. In this article we focus on two topical employment issues from an ESG perspective – diversity and inclusion and whistleblowing.
Employment
