Climate action and the environment

Tackling the global climate and environmental crises is this generation's defining task. As transformative climate and environmental policies continue to be implemented locally and across Europe, every business and public sector organisation must be ready.

Organisations must contend with the implications and stipulations of environmental legislation, along with demands from investors and consumers. And they must prepare for the risk of climate-related litigation, an increasing trend in recent years.

Our deeply knowledgeable Energy, Infrastructure & Natural Resources and Environmental & Planning groups advise our clients on capitalising on the opportunities and navigating the challenges that the green transition brings.

Across these groups, our lawyers specialise in areas such as renewable energy, planning and consenting, circularity, and waste management, as well as health and safety, always bringing local knowledge and a practical approach.

Successful large-scale infrastructure, real estate, and renewable energy projects must comply fully with all planning and environmental law.

Our public and private sector clients trust our experienced Environmental & Planning team to act for them and advise on everything from strategic environmental assessments and judicial reviews to climate action and waste management.

Our multi-disciplinary team has advised on many of the island’s largest infrastructure projects. We frequently collaborate with colleagues across our Real Estate, Projects & Infrastructure, Energy, Construction, and Corporate and M&A teams to ensure our clients get unparalleled service.

Renewable energy-related projects are inevitably ambitious and complex. And they’re urgent, as Ireland invests to achieve net-zero targets and harness its exceptional renewable natural resources.

From financing to site acquisition and development through to operation and manufacturing, our Energy team has deep expertise across onshore and offshore wind, solar power, battery storage, data centres, green hydrogen, biomethane, as well as nascent technologies and other low-carbon energy solutions.

Advising developers, lenders, investors, utilities, and government entities, this team has worked on more renewable energy transactions than any other across the island of Ireland. That’s down to their specialist knowledge, collaboration with other practice groups, commercial savviness and drive to get the deal done.

Human rights breaches, greenwashing cases, nuisance claims, and disclosure-related litigation are increasingly presenting risks for businesses. As is the rise in climate litigation in recent decades as activists, public authorities, and others try to raise awareness and achieve climate objectives.

This type of litigation can impact companies in a variety of ways, including being subject to tighter regulation or stricter enforcement and challenges to environmental assessment and permitting decisions.

Moreover, companies face severe reputational risk if they’re seen to be doing less than they should (or acting too slowly) on climate change and carbon reduction.

Our Environmental & Planning team routinely provides advice on managing the risks associated with climate litigation as well as representing clients in court proceedings relating to climate and broader environmental issues.

Experience

  • Transport Infrastructure Ireland

    TBC

  • Uisce Éireann

    TBC

  • Codling windfarm

    in relation to the development of the proposed 1.45GW Codling offshore windfarm.

  • AIB and La Banque Postale

    the lenders, the lenders, in relation to the acquisition financing and project financing of a solar project of up to 250MW.

  • Statkraft

    TBC

  • ESB/Bord na Móna

    TBC