The 2024 edition of Baker McKenzie’s International Guide to Contaminated Land offers an overview of national laws and regulations in over 30 countries governing the discovery, management and clean-up of environmental impacts at industrial sites. The guide addresses the key legal issues and risks that must be understood and assessed to ensure the effectiveness of any response to environmental contamination.

President Biden was officially sworn in on January 20th and has taken swift action to reverse or pause many of the policies of the Trump Administration and set a new course.  Since our update in November, President Biden also finalized his choices for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and leaders of other key agencies, including the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Department of Energy (DOE), who, if confirmed, will set the tone for future actions that broadly address environmental and climate issues.

Baker McKenzie’s Energy and Environmental Groups held a webinar to examine what is in store for the energy sector under a Biden Administration and his ambitious plan for a “Clean Energy Revolution and Environmental Justice.” 

The panel spoke on the potential impacts of the Biden Administration’s immediate and long-term actions on both the conventional and renewable energy sector, as companies seek transformation and diversification in their portfolios and market offerings. The team also discussed expected climate change regulatory initiatives and expanded ESG reporting and disclosure efforts likely to affect the direction and pace of the US energy transition.  

Baker McKenzie’s Energy and Environmental Groups held a webinar to examine what is in store for the energy sector under a Biden Administration and his ambitious plan for a “Clean Energy Revolution and Environmental Justice.” The panel spoke on the potential impacts of the Biden Administration’s immediate and long-term actions…

The use of technology in industrial mining has been developing since its inception: dynamite helped clear tunnels and reach greater depths at a much faster rate than could be done with a pick and hammer; the industrial revolution catalyzed the mechanization of equipment; and electric conveyor belts made it easier…

On June 4, 2020, President Trump signed a new Executive Order (“EO”) aimed at accelerating the initiation and completion of infrastructure projects to spur on the United States’ economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.1 At the heart of this latest EO is a mandate to expedite required environmental reviews for…

Companies must be diligent to ensure that any facility restart is being implemented in compliance with applicable environmental requirements.  While there has been some guidance at the federal and state level providing enforcement discretion for non-compliance and identifying circumstances where noncompliance will not be punished, compliance with permits and environmental regulations is expected even when circumstances have made it difficult because of COVID-19.  Further, those policies have been criticized and challenged by environmental NGOs and some states, and companies should exercise caution when relying on them.

In brief Baker McKenzie’s Global Environmental Group has recorded a 60 minute webinar which is available for viewing as your schedule permits on “Managing Global Environmental Compliance Challenges and Protecting Worker Health and Safety During COVID-19 Operational Disruptions.” The webinar offers perspectives from our Global Environmental Group attorneys in North…

Earlier this week, we provided guidance on the development of an “Environmental Action Plan” to address potential environmental regulatory and compliance challenges arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Our recommendations included – in the context of limited or unavailable EHS staff or resources and in response to plant shutdown orders –…

The ever-evolving COVID-19 crisis continues to pose significant challenges for industrial enterprises across the United States. Until very recently, the engines of industry continued to hum while the broader world wrestled with this unprecedented public health crisis. However, with growing constituencies across the public and private sector calling for more…