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Environmental, Social & Governance

We understand that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are crucial for modern businesses. Take a read of our most recent update, ESG Reporting - What do UK businesses need to be aware of?

Read our quarterly update now

Environmental, Social & Governance - why put your business in Freeths' hands?

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors have become a regular item on boardroom agendas, with companies increasingly aware that a failure to address such issues can have significant reputational, legal and financial consequences.

Given the importance of ESG issues, it is key for investors as well as fund managers, consultants and others along the value chain to keep consumer expectations in this area in mind. The same standards of discipline and rigour that businesses apply to reporting on financial information are now expected from investors and stakeholders on non-financial issues, risks and opportunities.

The increasing number of reporting standards and requirements in relation to sustainability, together with internal governance, investor pressure, workplace issues, and the need for ESG reporting, makes this a difficult area for businesses to manage.

Our ESG expertise

We have a long track record of assisting clients in these areas and our ESG team are on hand to steer businesses, boards, individuals, funds, investors, and other stakeholders through the changing route map of national and regional policies, regulations and frameworks. This includes businesses where support would be helpful on your journey to your net zero goal or to becoming an accredited BCorp.

The ESG specialist support Freeths can provide includes:

  • Environmental
  • Social
    • Employee Welfare
    • Employee Engagement
    • Key policies including:
      • Equality, Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy
      • Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Training
      • Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • Governance
    • ESG Reporting - What do UK businesses need to be aware of?
    • Corporate Governance
    • Premium Listing
    • UK Corporate Governance Code
    • Shareholder and Investor Relations
    • Board Composition/Audit Committee Structure
    • Directors’ Duties and Liabilities
    • Executive Contracts and Incentives
    • Whistleblowing 
    • Conflicts of Interest
    • B Corp Status 
    • Green Investment
    • Competition Law Risk Assessment, Policy and Training
    • Dawn Raid Training
    • Competition Audit
    • Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting
    • Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – non-EU companies
    • Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) – non-EU companies
    • Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD)

Key contact

Get in touch

Lead the Way in Sustainability: Unlock Your ESG Report for Actionable Insights Today

We are excited to introduce our new ESG questionnaire. This comprehensive tool will provide your company with a detailed snapshot of your current ESG performance.

By completing the questionnaire, you will receive a personalised summary of your results, highlighting key areas for improvement and helping you to enhance your ESG strategies!

Register for our ESG questionnaire now

The bigger picture. Sustainability reporting in the EU 

UK Plc’s that have business operations and/or subsidiaries in EU member states, are probably aware that the EU has recently introduced revised and extended sustainability reporting rules.

The “EU Sustainability Reporting Framework” encompasses the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and adherence to some aspects of the EU Taxonomy Regulation. 

During business years 2024, 2025 and 2026, reporting under the “EU Sustainability Reporting Framework” becomes mandatory for EU enterprises, subject to the size of a company’s activities, its financial figures, and whether it is listed or not. From 2028 onwards, EU subsidiaries may also be required to provide sustainability reporting details at group level, i.e. including their non-EU parent company.

How we can help

We routinely work with UK Plc’s seeking to establish whether they and/or any of their EU subsidiaries are subject to the “EU Sustainability Reporting Framework” and if so, to what extent and when this takes effect. 

We are part of the Baker Tilly International Network, a global network of independent legal, auditing and business advisory firms, whose members share our dedication to exceptional client service. Via this network, we arrange appropriate legal advice under applicable EU law rules. 

We speak from experience

Responsible Business

We know we can support you because we’re living this ourselves. Freeths is now an accredited BCorp and this year has set its own Net Zero Targets. Read more about what we're doing!

We’re also proud to have compiled and launched our first-ever Responsible Business Report, which pulls together all of our key ESG initiatives and commitments in one place, giving everyone, from colleagues and clients, to prospects and suppliers, a clear picture of the great work we’re already involved in.

Our credentials

B Corp Certified

We were extremely proud to become a certified B Corp in 2024, the largest UK law firm to achieve accreditation.

Planet Mark Partner

In partnership with Planet Mark, one of the UK’s most trusted sustainability certification schemes, we are putting in place an effective carbon reduction strategy and accelerating our journey to net zero.

2024 Green Legal Guide ranking

We are one of only 27 UK law firms listed in the Legal 500 Green Guide.

2040 net zero target

We have set concrete targets to help us reach our goal of becoming net zero by 2040.

More about ESG

  • Environmental

    In recent years, it has become impossible to ignore the impact of climate change and environmental decline, and reporting on them has become a mainstay of daily news coverage. This increased focus has put climate change and the green economy high on the agenda for businesses and society alike. This has resulted in increased scrutiny as society calls out for more organisations to be held accountable for their actions.

    The management of climate change initiatives remains at the forefront of the political and environmental agendas and pose increasingly difficult and complex challenges for businesses. Such initiatives can provide opportunities for businesses but, equally, they can increase a business’ risk if its environmental challenges are not appropriately addressed.

    Freeths has a history of assisting businesses looking to improve their green credentials in many areas, including: 

    Clean Energy, Waste & Sustainability
    Green Financing
    Renewable Energy Project Development and Investment
    Heat Networks
    Natural Capital
    Environmental Law
    Transport
    • Greenwashing
    • Green Energy Procurement
    • Tackling Waste and Pollution
    • Improving Sustainability in Supply ChainsBiodiversity Net GainNutrient Neutrality and Water Neutrality, and Carbon Offsetting

  • Social

    Social risks for businesses include actions that can affect the communities around them, as well as employee engagement, human rights within the workforce and supply chain, gender and diversity, health and safety, and anti-bribery and corruption. Public health issues can also be a concern as they can affect employee and contractor absenteeism and worker morale.

    Businesses that can demonstrate a positive impact through strong CSR policies, building closer relationships with local partners and stakeholders, increased transparency and reporting on social risks, and close monitoring of supply chains to co-ordinate and enforce their own policies. Engaging with social risks and being proactive in enforcing them can strengthen a company’s market position. On the other hand, not investing positively to mitigate these social risks can result in hard-won ESG credentials being quickly lost.

    Freeths advises on all aspects of social risks and helps businesses put in place policies to cover diversity and inclusion, family and flexible working, anti-harassment and discrimination, human rights, supply chain, modern slavery and working conditions.

  • Governance

    One of the cornerstones of a successful organisation is good corporate governance; it helps determine how the organisation operates and behaves both internally and to the market generally, and defines the relationship between the shareholders, management and the rest of the business.

    It is imperative that boards and other key decision-makers are visible in taking responsibility for risk management and are accountable for organisational governance. Corporations must have a purpose and set of values beyond profit generation, in order to guide governance, decision-making and strategy.

    Freeths has experience of advising businesses on the legal issues that arise around corporate governance, from executive contracts, board composition, competition and antitrustanti-bribery and corruption, shareholder relations and activism, to the broader corporate strategy of companies and how that operates within a legal framework. In the context of ESG, Freeths can help advise companies on how environmental and social risks translate into good corporate governance.

    We also have specific experience of advising companies seeking B Corp status. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. Any company that can demonstrate a positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment may be eligible to register.

Our accreditations

We are celebrating another year of accreditations and rankings.

Insights & webinars

  • Navigating the legal landscape of sustainability

    Navigating the legal landscape of sustainability: how you can support your business as it seeks to minimise its environmental impact

    This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to effectively support your organisation mitigate its environmental impact.

    Watch webinar >

    Sustainability symbol of arrows in circle on green grass
  • Sustainability Opportunities in Retail

    Sustainability Opportunities in Retail – focus on Waste to improve your green credentials

    With the forthcoming changes to every business’s obligations in dealing with waste fast approaching, this webinar explores how these changes can be viewed not as a burden, but as an opportunity to differentiate your business and build market share by contributing to a more sustainable future.

    Watch webinar >

    Image of bioenergy
  • Sustainability Solutions for Businesses

    Freeths is one of the few law firms in the UK with a dedicated Clean Energy, Waste & Sustainability practice – a multidisciplinary team of over 90 lawyers with a real passion for all things ‘green’.

    As well as acting for a wide variety of clients in the clean energy and waste sectors, we advise businesses seeking to decarbonise, implement sustainability strategies, protect against rising energy costs and enhance their green credentials without falling foul of greenwashing.

    Find out how we can help you and your business >

  • Waste & Sustainability Waste Regulatory Reforms Affecting All Businesses

    There is plenty of change on the near horizon for all businesses because of forthcoming changes to every business’ obligations in terms of how they deal with their waste.

    In this document, we set out a summary of the legislation together with an overview of timescales for implementation and our view on likely challenges, steps to be taken by businesses to prepare for the changes and opportunities the changes may present.

    Take a read here >

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