The Linklaters Podcast

In this podcast, James Marlow and Tom Cobbaert discuss next steps on changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) under the Omnibus I package now that the European Parliament and Council have agreed their respective negotiation positions and trilogues have started. They also discuss next steps on changes to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) which are happening alongside the Omnibus process.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

In this podcast, Wahdana Bilal and Claudia Harper discuss the UK government’s consultation on the draft UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) which will implement the ISSB standards into national law with some limited changes, including next steps and practical implications for businesses.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

In this podcast, Wahdana Bilal and Iyes Igiehon discuss what is a transition plan, the evolving regulatory and main legal risks for businesses, and practical tips for creating a robust transition plan.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

In this podcast, Jon Tan and James Marlow discuss the latest developments on modern slavery reporting in the UK, including recently updated guidance from the government and various Parliamentary reports recommending changes to the UK regime.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

Sports and ESG are becoming increasingly intertwined, with tournament and competition organisers, clubs and individuals taking more steps to travel, compete and operate with sustainability in mind. In this podcast, Benja, Claudia and James dive deeper into the world of sustainability in sports – from the work being done by Forest Green Rovers and FC Barcelona, through to the risks of greenwashing and how organisations are can adopt ESG strategies to help them prepare for the future.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

Episode 15: ESG Soundbite Series

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published the final version of its recommendations on a framework to identify, assess, manage, and disclose nature-related issues. In this podcast, Kim Rybarczyk and Jon Tan discuss the final recommendations, including what the framework means for businesses and how it fits in with existing climate reporting frameworks.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

Episode 14: ESG Soundbite Series

Rebecca Burton speaks to Charlotte Moore and Catalina Becerra at SIGWATCH, a global activism consultancy and data provider. They speak about recent trends in NGO-led climate litigation, why it is being used by NGOs as a tactic to address climate change and how companies should look to engage with the heightened risk of NGO-led litigation.

To listen to all episodes in this series, visit our ESG Soundbite Series webpage.

Episode 13: ESG Soundbite Series

COP15 - the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity - takes place from 7 – 19 December 2022 in Montreal. Its primary aim is to agree a post-2020 global biodiversity framework (“GBF”). It is hoped the GBF will set the framework required for national and local action as well as the mobilisation of capital towards global biodiversity goals. In this podcast, Kim Rybarczyk and Claudia Harper discuss COP15 and the GBF and what it means for businesses.

Episode 12: ESG Soundbite Series

In our second podcast, David Ballegeer and Linda Taylor, together with Els Janssens, explore how the proposed EU Green Bond Standard fits into the broader EU sustainability plan, in particular the taxonomy and its new reporting requirements and key performance indicators (KPIs). They also discuss how it interacts with Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs), where KPIs also play a key role.

Episode 11: ESG Soundbite Series

The European Commission published the draft EU Green Bond Standard in 2021 and in our first podcast on this topic, David Ballegeer, Amrita Ahluwalia, together with Els Janssens, discuss what the EU Green Bond Standard is, how it relates to current market practice and what we can expect.

Episode 10: ESG Soundbite Series

Minimum participation, gender quota and target figures - the German Second Act on Equal Participation of Women in Management Positions (FüPoG II) aims to strengthen the participation of women, especially in leadership positions in the private sector.

In this podcast, Kristina Klaaßen-Kaiser and Timon Grau, together with Cornelius Wilk, take a look at the most important consequences for companies and the differences compared to the previous legal situation.

Episode 9: ESG Soundbite Series

For years, business and human rights in supply chains have been a top priority for many companies across various industries. For a long time, the focus was on voluntary compliance, but this is currently changing in many jurisdictions and on EU level. With the recently enacted German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act passed, the German legislator has set binding requirements that in-scope companies will have to fulfil as of January 2023. In this podcast we give you an overview of the new obligations and discuss the consequences and practical challenges for businesses.

Episode 8: ESG Soundbite Series

Green and sustainability linked loans have become established loan market products, but they are still evolving as industry sectors seek to address wide-ranging ESG pressures. At the same time, regulators recognise that the financial sector is a key part of the transition to a more sustainable economy.

In this podcast Christopher Williams explores the features of green and sustainability linked loans. 

Episode 7: ESG Soundbite Series

Green and sustainability linked loans have become established loan market products, but they are still evolving as industry sectors seek to address wide-ranging ESG pressures. At the same time, regulators recognise that the financial sector is a key part of the transition to a more sustainable economy.

In this episode, Olga Petrovic and Caroline Courtney explore ESG as it impacts the maritime sector.

Episode 6: ESG Soundbite Series

Green and sustainability linked loans have become established loan market products, but they are still evolving as industry sectors seek to address wide-ranging ESG pressures. At the same time, regulators recognise that the financial sector is a key part of the transition to a more sustainable economy.

In this latest podcast, our Banking team, Edward Chan and Bobby Butcher discuss ESG regulation and the potential impact on access to finance.

Episode 5: ESG Soundbite Series

A key part in developing and implementing any climate transition plan is data and reporting. In this short podcast Iyesogie Igiehon and Claire Rogers give a quick overview of the current greenhouse gas reporting landscape in the UK, looking at the main regimes, challenges and the direction of travel, including the SECR and TCFD regimes and reporting on Scope 3 emissions.

Episode 4: ESG Soundbite Series

In this podcast Rachel Barrett and Aileen Buchanan discuss the importance of remedy in a project financing context. Drawing upon what they have seen in practice they explore:

• options for remedy when issues arise;
• how remedy is dealt with in transaction documents; and
• how a proactive approach to remedy can help avoid defaults.

Episode 3: ESG Soundbite Series

In our next podcast focusing on ESG in a project financing context, Rachel Barrett and Iyesogie Igiehon discuss:

• why transparency matters when it comes to environmental and social issues;
• what is usually disclosed and when; 
• ongoing project reporting; and
• the shift towards greater public disclosure.

Episode 2: ESG Soundbite Series 

In our next podcast focusing on ESG in a project financing context, Iyesogie Igiehon and Aileen Buchanan discuss:

• the role of E&S due diligence in project financings;
• E&S standards requirements;
• the role of E&S consultants; and
• areas/issues that require extra focus such as biodiversity, GHG emissions and indigenous peoples.

Episode 1: ESG Soundbite Series

The next focus of our ESG Soundbite Series will be on the importance of ESG in a project financing context.
In this first session Aileen Buchanan, Rachel Barrett and Iyesogie Igiehon talk about E&S risk management in complex project financings.  

They share some quick insights on:

• how soft law standards have driven change in the market;
• the increase in NGO and public scrutiny; and
• what parties can do to efficiently manage E&S risks including practical tips.