In recent years, the combination of trade conflicts, the pandemic, and regional tensions have resulted in increased volatility for businesses in the energy, transportation, and commodities sectors. In Southeast Asia, where the transition to green energy is one of the primary focuses for governments, lawyers examine critical areas susceptible to disputes and identify best practices to avoid them.

In the ever-evolving landscape of global finance, green bonds have emerged as a resilient force, with issuance of these bonds reaching an impressive $232 billion in the first four months of this year alone. As Southeast Asian countries accelerate their decarbonisation efforts and investors demand more ESG products, the region's green bond market is experiencing a significant surge, promising a greener future for both the environment and the financial sector.

Singapore has taken a major step towards becoming Asia’s ESG hub as the island nation is poised to pioneer a set of mandatory climate-related disclosures (CRD) rules for all listed companies from financial year 2025.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are essential to businesses for the opportunities they bring, and for the reputational and economic risks that arise from making the wrong decisions. In light of the growing interest and scrutiny in ESG matters from within Japan and abroad, the Japanese government has been pushing a range of measures to implement ESG initiatives.

In conversations around ESG, the emphasis has often been on the environmental aspect, with the social part receiving less attention. Sonvi Khanna and Rohan Nadimpally of Social Compact, the social governance arm of Mumbai-based non-profit Dasra, discuss the need for a fresh perspective on corporate social governance in India, and why companies need to focus on the “S” in ESG. 

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are essential to businesses for the opportunities they bring, and for the reputational and economic risks that arise from making the wrong decisions. In light of the growing interest and scrutiny in ESG matters from within Japan and abroad, the Japanese government has been pushing a range of measures to implement ESG initiatives.

The continued rise in prominence of ESG in Asia has found its way into the realm of private equity (PE), a vehicle traditionally associated with risk-taking investment for outsized rewards. Now the industry has joined other sectors in the financial ecosystem to consider sustainability and social responsibility in decision makings.

As environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues take centre stage around the world, governments are taking steps to create investment opportunities and construct a more environmentally friendly operating environment. Lawyers say Thailand, a leader in ESG disclosure in Southeast Asia, is well placed to court the benefits of such a shift. 

UK firm Mishcon de Reya has spearheaded the Greener Litigation pledge, which aims to make the disputes process more environmentally friendly. Alexander Rhodes, partner and head of the firm’s ESG-focused practice, Mishcon Purpose, says the next step involves looking overseas.

Dentons has hired its first global head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) to do work touching both on the 12,000-attorney law firm's own strategy and its services for clients, the firm said Thursday.