CM LLP Sustainability, Climate Change and Environment Social and Governance (SCC & ESG) Unit

Global environmental and climate shifts present a formidable challenge to both the Earth and its inhabitants. Despite our efforts to advance economic, social, and political development, certain strategies we've employed may inadvertently worsen the issues of environmental degradation and climate change.

Evidence solidifies the fact that our planet is undergoing significant transformations. While some benefits accompany these changes, such as:

• Increased agricultural productivity: In certain regions, higher temperatures and elevated levels of carbon dioxide can enhance plant growth and crop yields, leading to increased agricultural productivity
• Opening of new trade routes: As Arctic ice melts, new shipping routes may become accessible, reducing transit times and costs for international trade.
• Expanded habitable areas: Warmer temperatures could make previously uninhabitable or sparsely populated regions more suitable for human settlement, potentially offering opportunities for economic development.

However, the adverse impacts outweigh these benefits. Carbon emissions continue to escalate, leading to the depletion of forests. Pollution pervades the air we inhale and the oceans we rely on. Additionally, vulnerable plant and animal species face increasing threats to their existence.

The Role of Lawyers in Advancing the SDGs

Yes, lawyers have a significant role to play in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here's how:

• Legal Advocacy: Lawyers can advocate for policies and regulations that support the achievement of the SDGs at local, national, and international levels. They can work with governments, organizations, and communities to develop and implement legal frameworks that promote sustainability, equality, and social justice.
• Legal Compliance: Lawyers help businesses and organizations comply with laws and regulations related to sustainable development. By ensuring compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, lawyers contribute to responsible business practices that align with the SDGs.
• Access to Justice: Lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring access to justice for marginalized groups and individuals, including those disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, social inequality, and discrimination. By providing legal aid and representation, lawyers help empower communities to demand their rights and hold authorities accountable for sustainable development commitments.
• Dispute Resolution: Lawyers facilitate the resolution of disputes related to environmental conservation, land rights, labor rights, and other issues that intersect with the SDGs. Through negotiation, mediation, and litigation, lawyers help resolve conflicts in ways that promote fairness, equity, and sustainability.
• Legal Education and Awareness: Lawyers can contribute to raising awareness about the SDGs and their legal implications among fellow legal professionals, clients, policymakers, and the public. By educating stakeholders about their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to contribute to sustainable development, lawyers help build a more informed and engaged society.
• Innovative Legal Solutions: Lawyers can develop innovative legal solutions to address complex sustainability challenges, such as climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. Through legal research, policy analysis, and advocacy, lawyers contribute to the development and implementation of transformative legal frameworks and initiatives that support the SDGs.

In summary, lawyers have a multifaceted role in advancing the SDGs through legal advocacy, compliance, access to justice, dispute resolution, education, and innovation. By leveraging their expertise and influence, lawyers can contribute significantly to the realization of a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Why CM LLP SCC & ESG Unit?

At CM LLP’s SCC & ESG Unit, we have established a dedicated practice area focusing on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and climate change by synergizing our expertise and experiences and drawing on the power of the law to craft solutions to problems that lead to environmental injustice. We provide unparalleled global coverage and environmental legal expertise in environmental practice among international law firms.

A dedicated practice area on ESG and climate change enables a law firm to meet client needs, manage legal risks, identify opportunities, meet stakeholder expectations, and gain a strategic advantage in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

• Increasing Demand: Clients are increasingly seeking legal expertise in navigating complex ESG and climate change issues as awareness of environmental and social responsibilities grows.
• Legal Complexity: ESG and climate change matters involve intricate regulations, standards, and evolving legal frameworks, necessitating specialized knowledge and skills among lawyers.
• Risk Management: ESG and climate change pose significant legal risks to businesses, including regulatory compliance and reputational damage, making a specialized practice area essential for risk identification and mitigation.
• Opportunity Identification: Beyond risk management, ESG and climate change present opportunities for businesses to innovate and create value, such as sustainable investments and corporate responsibility initiatives, which a dedicated practice area can help identify and capitalize on.
• Meeting Stakeholder Expectations: Stakeholders increasingly expect businesses to demonstrate commitment to ESG principles and climate action, and a dedicated practice area signals the firm's ability to address these expectations comprehensively.
• Strategic Advantage: Establishing expertise in ESG and climate change can provide a strategic advantage for a law firm, attracting clients who prioritize sustainability and positioning the firm as a thought leader in this evolving area of law.

Our ESG Story

Businesses are increasingly adopting responsible commercial practices, prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues for a sustainable future. As we assist companies, financial institutions, sovereigns, investors, and other stakeholders in navigating ESG and sustainability matters, we also asked ourselves—what is our contribution towards climate change and ESG? The finger kept pointing at us, and we made a strategic decision to seize opportunities while ensuring long-term economic stability and growth.

Our affiliates and partners are also committed to the ESG journey. At our firm, we firmly believe in ESG principles, which is why we are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions. We are committed to continuous improvement, evident in our ESG indicators. Our track record in pro bono projects, volunteer programs, charitable contributions, and our LLP policy on responsible business conduct demonstrates our commitment to practicing what we advocate. Since the launch of the LLP, we believe our environmental sustainability efforts have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Guiding Principles

As we serve our clients, we are guided by several principles that give life to the legal framework on the protection of the environment. These principles include:

• The Precautionary Principle: In case of uncertainty about the risk of environmental harm, this principle allows protective measures to be taken without having to wait until the harm materializes.
• The Prevention Principle: This principle requires preventive measures to be taken to anticipate and avoid environmental damage before it happens.
• Environmental Damage Should Be Rectified at Source: This principle prioritizes redress for environmental damage and ensures that damage or pollution is dealt with where it occurs.
• The Polluter Pays Principle: The person who causes pollution should bear the costs of the damage caused and any remedy required.
• The Integration Principle: Environmental protection should be integrated into all other policy areas, promoting sustainable development.

Our Objective

To bolster and advocate the essential role of law for businesses in guaranteeing environmental sustainability and combating climate change.