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Germany: Transform Powerfully – energy transition dialogue

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The transition to a carbon-neutral economy is a seismic shift on a global scale, leaving no sector untouched. The urgent strategic, operational and reputational challenges are considerable, but so are the opportunities for growth. We are happy to invite you to
Transform Powerfully: Baker McKenzie Energy Transition Dialogue
Navigating your energy transition journey: Opportunities and challenges for suppliers, industrials and other market players
Thursday, 25 January 2024, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm CET
Baker McKenzie, Neuer Zollhof 2, 40221 Dusseldorf, Germany

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In Environment

Thailand: Bringing back clean air to Thailand – A new legislation for air quality management approved by the Cabinet

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Thailand is taking the next step towards strengthening the legal framework on air quality control as the Cabinet approved in principle the Draft Management for Clean Air Act (“Clean Air Bill”), which was proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) on 28 November 2023. Thailand’s current legal framework to manage air quality can be seen in many existing laws that regulate the monitoring and treatment of air pollution, and specify air quality standards. There are many governmental agencies acting as regulators for the purpose of air quality control, including the MONRE, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Public Health.

In ESG

United States: New California Law Mandates Disclosure about Voluntary Offsets and Climate Claims

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Much of the focus around climate legislation coming out of the latest California legislative session has been on new, far-reaching requirements pertaining to disclosure of climate data and climate-related financial risk. However, California also adopted a third law related to climate change last year – AB 1305 – which has received somewhat less attention but may well have a wider and more immediate effect. Intended to address greenwashing claims, particularly related to voluntary carbon offsets (“VCO”), the Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosure Act mandates disclosure by entities that: (1) sell VCO credits in California; (2) buy or use VCO credits sold in California; and/or (3) make climate claims about corporate performance or products.

In ESG

France: Transposition of the CSRD in French law

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France is the first country in the European Union to transpose the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The CSRD replaces the previous Non-Financial Reporting Directive, that created the obligation for non-financial reporting. This transposition broadens the scope of companies that have to implement sustainability reporting and extends their transparency obligations.

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In ESG

Thailand: Draft amendment to the Petroleum Act to regulate carbon storage business

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With increasing awareness of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology as a key enabler for decarbonization, many developments in this area, such as exploration for carbon storage sites, have been reported. However, presently, in Thailand, there is no legislation specifically governing such CCS-related activities. In this context, the Department of Mineral Fuels has been developing a legal framework to accommodate CCS-related activities as can be seen from the recent public hearing of the draft amendment to the Petroleum Act, B.E. 2514 (1971) (“Draft Petroleum Act”), which aims to introduce the concept of “carbon business” as another regulated activity in a similar manner to conventional petroleum concessions.

In ESG

Japan: Publication of Draft Interim Summary of CCS Regulatory Framework

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The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)’s Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Long-term Roadmap Working Committee published its Final Report on the implementation of CCS in Japan in March 2023. This followed the Japanese Cabinet’s approval of the “Basic Strategy for the Realization of GX (Green Transformation)” a month earlier, which stated that legislation and a regulatory framework for CCS should be developed as soon as possible. METI began its deliberations in September 2023, resulting in the publication of its “Draft Interim Summary of the CCS Regulatory Framework” on 15 December 2023. This alert summarizes the clarified Japanese legal regime for CCS projects.

In ESG

Argentina: Carbon markets – National Strategy approved

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On 14 November 2023, through Resolution 385/2023 of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the National Strategy for the Use of Carbon Markets (ENUMeC) was approved.
The ENUMeC aims to promote the implementation of carbon markets and the development of projects that contribute to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Argentina, in line with the international climate commitments undertaken by Argentina (under the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol).

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In ESG

Singapore: Advertising standards watchdog finds company in breach of advertising code for greenwashing

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The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), Singapore’s advertising standards watchdog, has found an electronics company in breach of the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (SCAP) for greenwashing or marketing that exaggerates the sustainability of a product.
This is the ASAS’ first finding of a breach of the SCAP as a result of greenwashing. The advertising standards watchdog has previously received one other complaint about greenwashing since 2020, but the advertisement in that case was found not to have breached the SCAP.

In ESG

Global: COP28 – key outcomes and where to next?

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Gathering at a pivotal moment, the 28th Conference of the Parties unfolded against the backdrop of projections that 2023 is poised to be recorded as the warmest year on record. The accelerating impacts of climate change served as a stark reminder of the urgency addressed throughout the conference.
Baker McKenzie’s Global Climate Change practice was on the ground in Dubai, continuing a decade’s long commitment to be actively engaged in understanding how UNFCCC negotiations create opportunities for clients, and drawing from our observations, we’ve compiled a concise report outlining our perspective on the outcomes at COP28.

In ESG

Brazil: New National Policy for Quilombola Territorial and Environmental Management

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Federal Decree No. 11,786/2023 was published on 21 November 2023, establishing the National Policy for Quilombola Territorial and Environmental Management (PNGTAQ). The policy aims to, among others, support and promote territorial and environmental management practices of quilombola communities, strengthen the territorial and environmental rights of these communities, and promote the implementation of public policies in an integrated manner and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

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