GWLG-RGB-Positive-logoGWLG-RGB-Reverse-logo
Who we are
What we do
Our people
Insights
Topics
  1. Gowling WLG
  2. > Services
  3. >
    Climate Change & Environmental Law

Climate Change & Environmental Law

ESG - Climate Change & Environmental Law - website - banner - image

Overview

Protecting the world we live in is one of the key challenges for the 21st century. Businesses face both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to work to ensure that their impact on the environment is minimised. Compliance with climate change and environmental law is relevant to all businesses, not just those that may have an obvious risk of pollution.

Our team has the insight and sector experience to guide you through the complexity of local and international environmental laws and best practices.

We aim to deliver practical, user-friendly advice that you can quickly understand and implement. Drawing on experience from a wide range of sectors, our advice is timely, on point and strategic in the context of complex litigation, environmental emergencies and interventions, business transactions, development projects and compliance matters, as well as day-to-day commercial operations.

What is environmental law?

Environmental law attempts to minimise the impact of climate change and protect the environment. It can cover a number of areas, including climate control, water pollution, renewable energy, waste and ESG.

Environmental law applies to every business and public body. If it is not carefully managed, non-compliance can cause significant financial and reputational damage to businesses.

Our environmental lawyers have a deep understanding of this area of the law and deliver practical advice that is easy to understand. We act for entrepreneurs, businesses, funders and public and local authorities across all sectors.

Our team of environmental and climate change lawyers are led by highly experienced partners who have a passion for this practice area. Translating complex legislation into clear actionable points, we draw upon our experience to offer you solutions that are built around your business and its needs.

Protecting the world we live in is one of the key challenges for the 21st century. Businesses face both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to work to ensure that their impact on the environment is minimised. Compliance with climate change and environmental law is relevant to all businesses, not just those that may have an obvious risk of pollution.

Our team has the insight and sector experience to guide you through the complexity of local and international environmental laws and best practices.

We aim to deliver practical, user-friendly advice that you can quickly understand and implement. Drawing on experience from a wide range of sectors, our advice is timely, on point and strategic in the context of complex litigation, environmental emergencies and interventions, business transactions, development projects and compliance matters, as well as day-to-day commercial operations.

What is environmental law?

Environmental law attempts to minimise the impact of climate change and protect the environment. It can cover a number of areas, including climate control, water pollution, renewable energy, waste and ESG.

Environmental law applies to every business and public body. If it is not carefully managed, non-compliance can cause significant financial and reputational damage to businesses.

Our environmental lawyers have a deep understanding of this area of the law and deliver practical advice that is easy to understand. We act for entrepreneurs, businesses, funders and public and local authorities across all sectors.

Our team of environmental and climate change lawyers are led by highly experienced partners who have a passion for this practice area. Translating complex legislation into clear actionable points, we draw upon our experience to offer you solutions that are built around your business and its needs.

Climate Change and Environmental law services

Explore our services for more information on the areas we cover in climate change and environmental law.

Corporate governance and risk

We advise companies on statutory duties to promote success and consider how they impact the environment.

We review annual reports to make sure they comply with policies and legal requirements.

Corporate governance and risk

We advise companies on statutory duties to promote success and consider how they impact the environment.

We review annual reports to make sure they comply with policies and legal requirements.

Dealing with critical issues

Dealing with critical issues

We advise on contamination and pollution incidents, as well as environmental litigation.

We work with disaster management teams, gather evidence and give advice on investigators' powers, and how to manage the relationship with the Regulator.

We advise on all stages of criminal investigations, including with respect to the voluntary disclosure of information and interviews under caution.

Local counsel

Local counsel

We provide assistance to overseas law firms with assignments relating to English and pan-European environmental law and climate change issues.

Permitting and counsel

Permitting and counsel

We can advise you on environmental permits, trade effluent consents and water abstraction licences. We can audit permit applications before you submit to make sure that all legal requirements have been met. We can also help to improve the chances of a successful application.

Product stewardship and extended producer responsibility

Product stewardship and extended producer responsibility

We can advise you on domestic rules and how they have been addressed in Europe. When you need multi-jurisdictional legal advice, we work with 'best friend' local environmental lawyers to produce a single report.

We provide support with rules such as EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and UK REACH, RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), WEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), Packaging, Batteries and Accumulators, and End of Life Vehicles.

Real estate

Real estate

We can advise you on investigating and acquiring sites for housing and commercial projects. We guide developers, occupiers and funders on the rules surrounding energy efficient technologies and other energy-related standards.

We have advised on complex soil and groundwater remediation projects and the rules relating to 'green buildings'.

Client work

Due to the nature of our work, the clients involved in the following examples of our work are confidential.

ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Waste

Waste

Waste

We acted for a quarry operator under investigation by the Environment Agency due to their ownership of contaminated land, helping our client avoid formal enforcement action.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Investment Funds

Investment funds

Investment funds

We advised the managers of an investment fund on its annual environmental report and green house gas emissions reporting duties. This included undertaking an audit of its reports to ensure compliance.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Peaking Power Plants

Peaking power plants portfolio

Peaking power plants portfolio

We acted as counsel on the environmental and consenting aspects for a US law firm. Their client was bidding for a portfolio of peaking power plants across the UK.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - US Automotive Manufacturer

US automotive manufacturer

US automotive manufacturer

We advised a car accessories manufacturer on complying with product stewardship regulations when importing its products into the EU.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Waste

Waste

Waste

We acted for a quarry operator under investigation by the Environment Agency due to their ownership of contaminated land, helping our client avoid formal enforcement action.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Investment Funds

Investment funds

Investment funds

We advised the managers of an investment fund on its annual environmental report and green house gas emissions reporting duties. This included undertaking an audit of its reports to ensure compliance.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Peaking Power Plants

Peaking power plants portfolio

Peaking power plants portfolio

We acted as counsel on the environmental and consenting aspects for a US law firm. Their client was bidding for a portfolio of peaking power plants across the UK.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - US Automotive Manufacturer

US automotive manufacturer

US automotive manufacturer

We advised a car accessories manufacturer on complying with product stewardship regulations when importing its products into the EU.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Waste

Waste

Waste

We acted for a quarry operator under investigation by the Environment Agency due to their ownership of contaminated land, helping our client avoid formal enforcement action.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Investment Funds

Investment funds

Investment funds

We advised the managers of an investment fund on its annual environmental report and green house gas emissions reporting duties. This included undertaking an audit of its reports to ensure compliance.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Peaking Power Plants

Peaking power plants portfolio

Peaking power plants portfolio

We acted as counsel on the environmental and consenting aspects for a US law firm. Their client was bidding for a portfolio of peaking power plants across the UK.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - US Automotive Manufacturer

US automotive manufacturer

US automotive manufacturer

We advised a car accessories manufacturer on complying with product stewardship regulations when importing its products into the EU.
ESG - Climate Change and Environmental Law - Client Work - Waste

Waste

Waste

We acted for a quarry operator under investigation by the Environment Agency due to their ownership of contaminated land, helping our client avoid formal enforcement action.

Recognition in the market

"Provides succinct and accurate advice in a timely manner."

Chambers and Partners

Our environmental lawyers are consistently recognised by both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for their work in the field.

The Legal 500 ranks the team as a Tier 1 environmental law firm for the Midlands. The guide also notes Andrew Litchfield as a Leading Individual.

Chambers and Partners ranks the team in Band 1 for the Midlands. Ben Stansfield's approach is described as "very commercial and pragmatic", while Andrew Litchfield's "excellent reputation" in the market is recognised.

Ben Stansfield is also featured in Who's Who Legal for Environmental Law.

Key contacts

Andrew Litchfield

Andrew Litchfield

Partner

Birmingham, London
Ben Stansfield

Ben Stansfield

Partner

London
View our team
ESG - Climate Change & Environmental Law - in-page

Related sectors

Retail & LeisureReal EstateFood & BeverageEnergyAutomotive

Subscribe for updates

Sign up to receive insights on the latest legal changes and developments

Subscribe

Stay connected

  • Email icon - White
  • LinkedIn logo - white
  • X Twitter logo - white
  • Facebook logo - white
  • YouTube logo white
  • Instagram logo - white
gowlingwlg

Gowling WLG is an international law firm comprising the members of Gowling WLG International Limited, an English Company Limited by Guarantee, and their respective affiliates. Each member and affiliate is an autonomous and independent entity. Gowling WLG International Limited promotes, facilitates and co-ordinates the activities of its members but does not itself provide services to clients. Our structure is explained in more detail on our Legal Information page.

PeopleSectorsServicesClient solutionsInsightsNewsClient work
TopicsEventsCareersWho we areGlobal reachCorporate responsibilityContact us

© 2025 Gowling WLG All rights reserved.

Legal information
Privacy statement
Accessibility
Terms of use
Cookies
Sitemap
Regulatory information
Modern slavery statement
UK pay report
Terms and conditions of purchase
UK tax strategy
How we use artificial intelligence (AI)
Fraud alert