Environmental aspects

Environmental aspects are an important part of our clients' projects. Faced with the growing problems of climate change, environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent and complex. Constant changes in the law and growing public awareness are posing challenges to undertakings to reduce their environmental impact and implement sustainable development principles.

Ensuring compliance with sustainability standards

Our lawyers are renowned specialists with the extensive knowledge and experience required to deal with complex environmental issues. Through the close interaction of lawyers advising in the areas of environmental law, finance and public procurement with industry and technical specialists, we ensure that our clients' actions comply with the highest sustainability standards and legal requirements. This helps reduce the negative environmental impact.

We prepare analyses of environmental criteria and documentation in the development of ESG and green investment strategies, support clients in contractual negotiations on sustainability, prepare sustainability reports and provide support in resolving ESG-related crises, and carry out staff training.

Advice on energy transition

For years, we have been advising clients on the energy transition, helping them to make strategic decisions and implement solutions in line with the principles of sustainability, minimising environmental impact and moving towards zero emissions. Our services include:

• assisting with the preparation and implementation of projects related to renewable energy sources (RES) and the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier,
• providing legal services pertaining to environmental impact assessments, obtaining emission permits, nature protection and waste management regulations,
• advising on the management of CO2 emission allowances,
• supporting decarbonisation processes in various sectors of the economy through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of solutions to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Environmental protection initiatives as part of ESG strategy

Our experts in the environmental law team have for years supported clients in building and implementing strategies to address climate change, reduce water and air pollution, and ensure sustainable waste management and the transition to a circular economy. They have unique experience on the market in regulatory, transaction and contentious issues. Our services include:

• advising on the preparation of environmental performance standards for undertakings, the development of ESG strategies and the drafting of the required documents,
• supporting the identification and implementation of mandatory environmental regulations and the mitigation of legal risks,
• helping to assess eligibility and compliance with the EU Taxonomy,
• providing comprehensive legal advice during M&A transactions and IPOs,
• drawing up analyses, expert reports and legal opinions on selected Polish, EU and international environmental regulations, including waste law, water law and ESG-related regulations,
• conducting proceedings before environmental authorities, administrative courts and common courts.

Green public procurement as a tool to support sustainable development

Our services in the area of green public procurement are aimed at both economic operators and contracting authorities for public and public-private investments. As part of our advice, we offer support:

• in the preparation of analyses of the legal structures of investment projects in the context of their implementation as public procurement, PPP, concession or other model of public-private cooperation,
• in the interpretation of legal regulations, including at the legislative stage,
• to economic operators in analysing the environmental criteria of a public contract,
• to contracting authorities in the preparation of environmental criteria,
• in the prevention of risks associated with proceedings and contract implementation, 
• in the day-to-day legal management of public contract implementation.

ESG in the construction, transportation and real estate industries

Our services are aimed at entities in a range of industries. We most often work with clients:

• in the construction sector by supporting them in obtaining green building certification, legal and financial risk analyses and legal audits, contract negotiations and dispute resolution, as well as obtaining permits and financing for green building projects,
• in the transport sector by advising on the financing of green transport investments, in the area of electromobility and the adaptation of operations to emissions regulations,
• in the real estate sector by conducting due diligences, ESG compliance audits, drafting sustainability clauses in commercial contracts, negotiating partnership agreements and representing clients in ESG disputes.

Team:

Environmental protection

Daniel Chojnacki

Energy

Marcin Krakowiak | Paweł Grzejszczak

Public procurement

Katarzyna Kuźma | Tomasz Michalczyk

Transport

Marcin Krakowiak | Tomasz Zielenkiewicz

Construction

Tomasz Darowski

Real estate

Lech Żyżylewski | Anna Okła-Woźniak