Global Sustainability & Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Lawyers | Business Topics | Eversheds Sutherland
Global Sustainability & Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Lawyers
Sustainability and ESG are now central to corporate strategy, driven by global regulation and rising stakeholder expectations
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GlobalAngolaAsiaAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCzech RepublicEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyHungaryIraqIrelandItalyJordanLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMauritiusMozambiqueNetherlandsPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaSaudi ArabiaSlovakiaSouth AfricaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTunisiaUnited KingdomUnited StatesUnited Arab Emirates
Global
Sustainability & ESG legal advisory
Sustainability and ESG are now at the forefront of corporate strategy, driven by evolving global regulations and rising expectations from investors, employees, clients, consumers and communities. Businesses are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and ESG to build long-term value and resilience.
Our global team provide integrated legal advice across jurisdictions, helping clients navigate complex sustainability challenges and regulatory landscapes. We support you in identifying risks, unlocking opportunities, and shaping ESG strategies that align with your purpose and growth ambitions.
Strategic legal support
We advise on upcoming regulatory changes, and help craft forward-looking sustainability and ESG strategies that help drive sustainable growth, mitigate risk and ensure compliance across your value chain.
As sustainability reporting becomes increasingly mandatory across jurisdictions, companies are under pressure to disclose ESG performance with accuracy and consistency. At the same time, collaborative initiatives—such as industry alliances or joint climate action—must be carefully structured to avoid antitrust and competition risks. Environmental compliance remains a critical area, with businesses navigating complex obligations around emissions, waste, and resource use to meet both legal and reputational standards.
Global supply chains face increasing legal and reputational scrutiny and businesses must ensure sustainable practices are embedded throughout their operations. This includes addressing business and human rights risks, meeting emerging due diligence and reporting requirements, and aligning with regulations that promote circular economy principles. Legal teams also play a critical role in shaping sustainable procurement strategies, ensuring supplier contracts reflect ESG standards and mitigate compliance risks across jurisdictions.
Legal frameworks are rapidly evolving to support the shift toward low-carbon operations and resilient infrastructure. Companies are navigating the energy transition, implementing carbon offsetting and capture mechanisms, and investing in green buildings and data centres that meet sustainability standards. Strategic legal guidance also supports sustainable transportation initiatives and the integration of ESG and AI, ensuring innovation aligns with regulatory requirements and long-term climate goals.
Legal considerations around people and social impact are increasingly shaping corporate sustainability strategies. Companies are expected to uphold corporate digital responsibility, ensuring ethical use of technology and data. Compliance also extends to employee and worker protection and pay transparency.
Legal scrutiny around sustainability claims is intensifying, with companies facing growing risks of litigation and reputational damage. Climate change and ESG dispute resolution is becoming a specialized area, covering regulatory investigations, shareholder actions, and cross-border litigation. Businesses must also ensure that green and sustainability claims are substantiated and compliant with advertising and consumer protection laws to avoid accusations of greenwashing.
Companies and investors are navigating complex requirements around sustainable finance instruments, ESG-linked disclosures, and impact measurement. Legal teams also advise on structuring sustainable investments, managing ESG risks in asset management and funds, and ensuring compliance with both regulatory standards and stakeholder expectations.