WBD's Environmental Commitment Praised
Renowned international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has once again garnered recognition as a specialist entity in clean and renewable energy projects, contributing significantly to the discourse on climate change, governance, and sustainability.
This acknowledgement comes following its inclusion in The Legal 500's Green Guide for 2024.
The Green Guide, spotlighting firms actively engaged in ESG endeavours for clients and showcasing their own responsible business achievements, featured 40 distinguished firms in the UK. Womble Bond Dickinson secured its place for the second consecutive year, building on its recognition in the inaugural 2023 edition.
WBD received acclaim for its involvement in major renewable projects nationwide, spanning carbon capture and utilisation (CCUS), hydrogen initiatives, energy storage, heat networks, wind and solar projects, as well as transmission projects.
A noteworthy highlight of the year was the firm's enduring partnership with Renewable Energy Systems (RES). Led by partner Sebastian Briggs, WBD provided counsel to RES in a groundbreaking £3 billion joint venture with Octopus Energy Generation. This venture, operating under the HYRO banner, aims to develop green hydrogen plants across the UK, featuring electrolyser facilities in Kent and Wales with a combined capacity of 22.5 MW.
Additionally, the firm's contributions to the realisation of a 119GWh capacity battery manufacturing plant near Sunderland's Nissan factory in collaboration with Envision were acknowledged. WBD's broader support for Triodos Bank UK on financial, real estate, and energy matters in Scotland also garnered attention.
The Legal 500's Green Guide commended WBD's responsible business initiatives, highlighting achievements such as the EcoVadis gold medal and active participation in energy-focused trade associations like Hydrogen South West and the Solent Cluster.
Richard Cockburn, leader of the Energy Sector, and Simon Hughes, Real Estate lead, were singled out as key team members, actively aligning with clients' sustainability objectives. Richard Cockburn expressed pride in retaining their spot in The Legal 500 Green Guide, emphasising the firm's commitment to leading the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.
WBD's Responsible Business Manager, Charlotte von Sicard, emphasised the importance of genuine commitment to internal sustainability work for providing clients with the best expertise in the space. The Green Guide recognised the firm's responsible business initiatives as integral to its role in propelling the sector forward.
Highlighting WBD's proactive stance, the article notes the firm's early commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2030 through its Carbon Reduction Plan, launched in October 2021. WBD is also a founding member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, showcasing its dedication to advancing sustainability in the legal profession.
For more details on WBD's ESG commitments, readers are encouraged to explore the firm's most recent Responsible Business report.
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Source: WBD
