Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Perspective - Blog

Environmental sustainability: key messages for businesses

Published on 27 November 2023. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate and Kelly Thomson, Partner

Climate change and ecosystem destruction are two of the defining issues of our times. Our collective response to them now will dictate the kind of future we, and our loved ones, get to enjoy.

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Perspective - Blog

Context is everything – key takeaways on green claims from the CMA's recent consumer law conference

Published on 18 July 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

On 28 June 2023, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) held a highly anticipated conference on consumer law and enforcement. RPC's Senior Partner Oliver Bray was invited to speak on green claims alongside a stellar panel comprising Anna Jewitt (CMA), Justine Grimley (Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)), Tim Rowe (Financial Conduct Authority), and Rupert Earle (Bates Wells).

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Perspective - Blog

Climate-related financial disclosures: what companies and LLPs need to know about the UK's new mandatory rules

Published on 10 May 2022.

The UK's new climate-related financial disclosures: mandatory requirements to come clean

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Perspective - Blog

How to comply with the FCA's new diversity and inclusion targets for listed companies

Published on 05 May 2022. By Connor Cahalane, Partner and Karen Hendy, Head of Corporate and Chloe Clapson, Associate

The FCA has finalised its new rules on diversity and inclusion on listed company boards and executive committees. The rules, which are set out in the FCA's policy paper PS22/3: Diversity and inclusion on company boards and executive management, are substantially in line with the proposals set out in the FCA's consultation paper CP 21/24. In scope listed companies are required to include a statement in their annual financial report on whether they have met specific board diversity targets on a ‘comply or explain’ basis, as at a chosen reference date within their accounting period.

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Perspective - Podcast

A look at climate insurance (With Richard Matsui)

20 April 2022

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Richard Matsui, Co-founder of kWh Analytics, and they will be discussing the insurance of renewable energy sources with a particular focus on solar power.

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Perspective - Blog

'Big Plastic' is an emerging climate risk and a ticking time-bomb for litigation

Published on 14 April 2022. By Lucy Dyson , Partner

The tangible commitment to plastics regulation and action will likely trigger a new wave of plastics-related litigation.

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Perspective - Publication

Insurers need their own Hippocratic Oath

Published on 22 March 2022. By Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance and Peter Mansfield, Partner

Does insurance have a role to play in setting the ethical standard for corporate ESG and promoting a ‘do no harm’ philosophy?"

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Perspective - Blog

Shell directors facing potential UK ESG shareholder derivative lawsuit

Published on 18 March 2022. By James Wickes, Partner

In the wake of COP26, more focus than ever is being given to the climate risks which apply to every aspect of business. Scrutiny of a company's climate awareness and adherence to applicable regulation is at the forefront of minds of companies' stakeholders.

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Perspective - Blog

ESG claims in the banking and financial markets Sector: will "greenwashing" claims soon be common in the UK?

Published on 14 February 2022. By Chris Ross, Partner

Environmental, Social and Governance "ESG" funds are an attractive avenue for investors seeking responsible investment choices.

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Perspective - Podcast

A look at sustainable insurance (a podcast with Julian Richardson)

20 January 2022

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Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Julian Richardson, CEO of Parhelion Underwriting and our topic for this episode is sustainable insurance.

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Perspective - Podcast

A look at Flood Re (a podcast with Andy Bord)

22 December 2021

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Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Andy Bord, CEO of Flood Re, a specialist UK reinsurer of flood risks. In this episode we will be discussing all things Flood Re.

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Perspective - Blog

Lloyd's' focus on a more sustainable future

Published on 07 December 2021. By Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

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Lloyd's published its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report at the end of last year and while this is a fairly new focus area for Lloyd's it noted that: a) in its history it has a long record of contributing to communities and helping them to recover from disaster; and b) the role that insurance plays in protecting society and supporting global economic growth.

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Perspective - Blog

The rise of ESG finance

Published on 01 October 2021. By Sukh Ahark, Partner

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ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) finance remains a hot topic and continues to grow rapidly, with Bloomberg predicting the $2.2 trillion ESG debt market to hit $11 trillion by 2025, based on the rate of growth during the past five years.

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Perspective - Publication

What if the CEO asks me... about ESG-linked financing facilities

Published on 28 September 2021. By Edward Colville, Partner and Sukh Ahark, Partner

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As focus moves from short term lockdown liquidity on to longer term financing needs, loan facilities linked to ESG and sustainability targets are back in the news.

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Perspective - Blog

Balance on the board: Eight things UK PLCs need to know about the FCA's diversity targets

Published on 27 September 2021. By Karen Hendy, Head of Corporate and Connor Cahalane, Partner

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The Financial Conduct Authority's proposals will mean UK listed companies need to disclose whether their boards and senior management teams meet new gender and ethnic diversity targets.

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Perspective - Blog

FCA set to expand climate-related reporting rules

Published on 17 May 2021. By James Parsons, Associate and Ash Daniells, Senior Associate

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The FCA has revealed it will consult on plans to require asset managers, life insurers and FCA-regulated pension schemes to meet climate-related disclosure rules. In doing so, the FCA is expanding the scope of firms required to report on climate-related risks in accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).

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Perspective - Blog

Time for public companies to come clean: New UK climate-related disclosures and ESG guidance

Published on 03 February 2021. By Connor Cahalane, Partner

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Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market will need to include a statement in their annual report confirming if they have made climate-related disclosures consistent with the recommendations of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Companies planning to IPO, or move from AIM to the Main Market, are also affected by these new Listing Rules.

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