The challenge
The built environment is one of the largest contributors to UK carbon emissions.
With the UK Government outlining its strategic framework for decarbonisation in the sector over the coming decades through the publication of its Heat and Buildings Strategy and Future Homes Standard, there will be significant changes required for the heating and cooling of our building stock.
The way we build property for domestic and commercial purposes, in addition to the required supporting infrastructure, will need to change in order to achieve the UK’s Net Zero target. For some organisations, the focus will be on developing methods of construction and meeting evolving building regulations. For others, the challenge of what to do with existing building stock and the retrofitting requirements will be paramount.
How we can help
Navigating this transition will trigger a host of legal-related issues around planning, funding, tax, the procurement for and construction of assets, granting of leases, the creation of funds and investment vehicles and the delivery of contracts for carbon offsets.
With market-leading, integrated expertise across the real estate and energy sectors, we are well-positioned to address these challenges and develop effective legal solutions for our clients. We are experienced advising a diverse range of clients across a broad range of industry sectors and asset types, providing both commercial awareness and a holistic view of the market. This enables us to identify new opportunities for our clients, deliver effective solutions and futureproof their assets and investments.
Having been embedded in these sectors over several decades, we have built strong partnerships across a range of industries, allowing us to facilitate cross-sector introductions to support collaboration between organisations who will need to work together to decarbonise the built environment. The combined benefits of sitting on leading industry bodies and having a deep understanding of the energy sector, means that we are close to the latest regulation and policy and well-placed to help clients understand how they will be impacted by changes in both legislation and the wider market.
What we do
We advise a diverse range of clients including developers, land owners, investors, occupiers, operators and funders, on the implementation of Net Zero solutions for commercial and industrial buildings, housing-led regeneration schemes, and transport infrastructure.
Our expertise covers:
- Procuring, consenting and developing low carbon assets and infrastructure
- Procuring and installing new renewable energy technology
- Retro-fit of existing buildings and decommissioning of net zero infrastructure
- Modern methods of construction
- Drafting of leasing to incorporate low carbon provisions
- Planning regulation
- Renewable and low carbon energy solutions
- District heating
- Financing of assets, including green finance
- Development and implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure
- Waste heat from industrial processes to power networks
- Planning for new renewable energy system centres
Our partnerships
We are well-connected and sit on key industry groups. We participate in a number of bodies including: