ESG
Our CEE-wide expertise across several legal areas and industries allows our teams to advise on all environmental, social and governance related questions and challenges. Over the past years, our experts have been guiding clients on an increasing number of ESG-related matters, litigations and transactions, with a particularly strong focus on energy, environment, (social) infrastructure and public law, corporate governance (including stakeholder activism), CSR, finance and regulatory issues, including advertising clearance and litigation as well as registration and enforcement of certification marks.
Historically, Schoenherr has been involved in the development and implementation of much of Europe's most impactful energy market and climate protection legislation. Similarly, we are actively involved in many governance-related initiatives, spanning legislation drafting, education initiatives and supporting best practices. The firm has supported ESG strategies throughout the CEE region by providing innovative legislative and regulatory solutions for governments and sub-nationals.
We are well-known for advising:
- governments, national regulators and other governmental institutions on environmental law and energy sector reform, green energy transition strategies, green policy design and the enhancement of environmental and energy regulations in light of the ongoing challenges of climate protection;
- on a wide range of international and domestic energy matters, including energy transition projects (primarily renewable projects), "green" transactions and large development projects;
- on innovative projects such as "floating" solar plants, geothermal projects, electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen;
- clients on innovative waste management strategies aimed at preventing, mitigating and recycling operational waste flows;
- stakeholder associations (such as chambers of commerce) on the improvement of environmental and energy efficiency legislation;
- domestic and international clients on compliance with environmental law and ESG requirements;
- clients on "green" public procurement and financing (e.g. issuance of green bonds or venture capital investments in ESG-focused startups);
- governments, national regulators, stock exchanges, professional organizations and clients on drafting legislation, identifying/defining best practices and training initiatives in the corporate governance area;
- certification bodies and agencies in obtaining protection for and enforcing certification marks; and
- clients on clearance of sustainability advertising claims, including representation in misleading advertising litigation.
ESG deal news selection
Austria: Schoenherr advises ARA on cooperation agreement for construction of sorting plant with Der Grüne Punkt and Bernegger GmbH
Schoenherr advised Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA) on the negotiation and conclusion of a cooperation agreement for the construction of a new high-performance high-tech sorting plant in Upper Austria with DSD - Duales System Deutschland (Der Grüne Punkt) and Bernegger GmbH.
Romania: Schoenherr advises Samsung C&T Corporation on sale of 45 MW solar PV park to GreenVolt
Schoenherr Romania advised Samsung C&T Corporation on the sale of its participation in LJG Green Source Energy Alpha, a solar photovoltaic ("PV") project with an installed capacity of 45 MW, located in Giurgiu county. The solar PV park was sold to Greenvolt – Energias Renováveis ("GreenVolt") through its subsidiaries V-Ridium Solar 45 and V-Ridium Renewables.
Bulgaria: Schoenherr advises RGREEN INVEST on unique EUR 15m green bond to finance photovoltaic plant in Bulgaria
Schoenherr advised RGreen Invest, a French management company representing a fund for green energy projects, on a EUR 15m bond to finance the construction of a photovoltaic plant near the town of Razlog in southwestern Bulgaria, as well as on a standard security package for it. The bond's issuer is a member of the Renalfa group, a leading Bulgarian clean energy and e-mobility provider with a focus on renewable energy generation assets.
Austria: Schoenherr advises e-mobility start-up Easelink on EUR 8.3m financing round (Series A)
Schoenherr advised the Austrian high-tech company Easelink, a provider of automated electric vehicle charging solutions, on its EUR 8.3m Series A financing round.
Croatia: Schoenherr advises Mirova and RP Global on sale and refinancing of onshore wind farms in Croatia
Schoenherr advised Mirova and RP Global on the sale of two onshore wind farms in Dalmatia, Danilo (44MW) and Rudine (34MW), to Professio Energia d.d. (DLPR, Zagreb Stock Exchange).
17 August 2021
A.Doytchinova K.Kaloyanova-Toshkova S.Tsekova M.Gabrovska D.Kairakov G.Roussinova-Ivanova D.Vlaevsky E.Todorova G.Petkova
Bulgaria: Schoenherr advises MET Group on the acquisition of a 60 MW operational wind park in Western Bulgaria
Schoenherr registers first ever certification mark for Styria vitalis' "Grüner Teller"
Schoenherr advised the Styrian association Styria vitalis on the registration of its quality seal "Grüner Teller", Austria's first registered certification mark.
local ESG updates
Find more local legal updates and information in our country-specific ESG pages:
Our experts from various legal areas not only advise on ESG-related matters, but also publish articles on new developments and sum up what that could mean for businesses.
Here you can find our latest ESG-related legal updates: publications, press releases about matters we advised on, newsletters on legal developments and more.
Do you have questions? Contact our ESG task force!
Legal Overview of Renewable Energy in CEE
Developments at EU level - e.g. the European Climate Change Act, the European Green Deal, the REPowerEU Plan, and the Renewable Energy Directive II - will certainly result in a further immediate (and mid-term) boost for development of renewable energy projects and related financing in the CEE region. Take a look at our guide to get an CEE overview.
EU Parliament approves new Emissions Trading System
On 18 April 2023, the EU Parliament approved the provisional political plan to reduce CO2 emissions in the EU agreed on by the Council and the European Parliament on 18 December 2022.
Webinar | Emergency Response to Energy Price Surges - RePowerEU Considerations for Energy Market Players
The expansion of renewables is currently taking place at various speeds across the EU.
Erneuerbares-Gas-Gesetz (EGG) mit Déjà vu: Die Strafzahlung für Gasversorger und die daran anknüpfende Frage der Weiterverrechnung an Endkunden!
Am 15.02.2023 wurde der Begutachtungsentwurf zum Bundesgesetz über die Einführung einer Versorgerverpflichtung für Gas aus erneuerbaren Quellen veröffentlicht ("Erneuerbares-Gas-Gesetz-Entwurf" – "EGG-Entwurf"). Der EGG-Entwurf sieht die Verpflichtung von Gasversorgern vor, einen bestimmten Anteil der von ihnen verkauften Gasmengen durch erneuerbare Gase zu ersetzen. Kommen Gasversorger dieser Verpflichtung nicht nach, drohen Strafzahlungen in Form eines Ausgleichsbetrags, der von der Regulierungsbehörde (E-Control) durch Bescheid vorgeschrieben wird. Die Strafzahlungen könnten nicht nur Versorger, sondern letztlich auch deren Endkunden zu spüren bekommen.
ESG labels protected as certification marks: five years of practice with this new kind of trademark
Management of limited liability companies under the microscope: director, employee or all of the above?
Photovoltaics: the green energy source. Austrian tax aspects to consider when implementing photovoltaic systems
International Comparative Legal Guide - Renewable Energy 2023
The International Comparative Legal Guides provide current and practical comparative legal information on a range of practice areas, following a Q&A format to ensure thorough coverage of each topic within different legal systems worldwide.
Schönherr berät ARA bei Kooperation für Errichtung einer Sortieranlage mit Der Grüne Punkt und Bernegger zur Erreichung der EU-Recyclingziele
Schönherr hat die Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA) bei der Verhandlung und dem Abschluss eines Kooperationsvertrags für die Errichtung einer neuen leistungsstarken Hightech-Sortieranlage in Oberösterreich mit DSD - Duales System Deutschland (Der Grüne Punkt) und Bernegger GmbH beraten.
Austria: Schoenherr advises ARA on cooperation agreement for construction of sorting plant with Der Grüne Punkt and Bernegger GmbH
Schoenherr advised Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA) on the negotiation and conclusion of a cooperation agreement for the construction of a new high-performance high-tech sorting plant in Upper Austria with DSD - Duales System Deutschland (Der Grüne Punkt) and Bernegger GmbH.
Romania: Schoenherr advises Samsung C&T Corporation on sale of 45 MW solar PV park to GreenVolt
Schoenherr Romania advised Samsung C&T Corporation on the sale of its participation in LJG Green Source Energy Alpha, a solar photovoltaic ("PV") project with an installed capacity of 45 MW, located in Giurgiu county. The solar PV park was sold to Greenvolt – Energias Renováveis ("GreenVolt") through its subsidiaries V-Ridium Solar 45 and V-Ridium Renewables.
Nachhaltigkeit beim Vertrieb von Versicherungsprodukten
Rechtliche Konsequenzen der nicht (vollständigen) Abfrage von Kundenpräferenzen
Romania launches new renewables support scheme for wind and solar projects. Over EUR 450m up for grabs
02 March 2022
to the point: Finance | Q1 2022
Welcome to our newest edition of Schoenherr's quarterly to the point: finance newsletter!
Weiterer Meilenstein am Weg zu 100% Ökostrom bis 2030: EAG-Investitionszuschüsseverordnung Strom in Begutachtung geschickt
Bulgaria: Schoenherr advises RGREEN INVEST on unique EUR 15m green bond to finance photovoltaic plant in Bulgaria
Schoenherr advised RGreen Invest, a French management company representing a fund for green energy projects, on a EUR 15m bond to finance the construction of a photovoltaic plant near the town of Razlog in southwestern Bulgaria, as well as on a standard security package for it. The bond's issuer is a member of the Renalfa group, a leading Bulgarian clean energy and e-mobility provider with a focus on renewable energy generation assets.
Austria: Schoenherr advises e-mobility start-up Easelink on EUR 8.3m financing round (Series A)
Schoenherr advised the Austrian high-tech company Easelink, a provider of automated electric vehicle charging solutions, on its EUR 8.3m Series A financing round.
Croatia: Schoenherr advises Mirova and RP Global on sale and refinancing of onshore wind farms in Croatia
Schoenherr advised Mirova and RP Global on the sale of two onshore wind farms in Dalmatia, Danilo (44MW) and Rudine (34MW), to Professio Energia d.d. (DLPR, Zagreb Stock Exchange).
Bulgaria (Energy): Record high electricity prices lead to zero premium for RES producers and moratorium on the regulated market
17 August 2021
A.Doytchinova K.Kaloyanova-Toshkova S.Tsekova M.Gabrovska D.Kairakov G.Roussinova-Ivanova D.Vlaevsky E.Todorova G.Petkova
Bulgaria: Schoenherr advises MET Group on the acquisition of a 60 MW operational wind park in Western Bulgaria
Romania: Schoenherr advises Nofar Energy on the acquisition of a 153 MW photovoltaic park under development in Romania
Austria: Schoenherr advises Joint Lead Managers on issue of EUR 250m green mortgage covered bonds by Oberbank AG
Schoenherr advised the Joint Lead Managers Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, DekaBank, Erste Group and Raiffeisen Bank International on the successful green mortgage covered bank bond issue by Oberbank AG.
Romania: Schoenherr advises ENGIE Romania on the acquisition of an operational PV park
Schoenherr Romania advised ENGIE Romania ("ENGIE") on the acquisition of a fully operational photovoltaic ("PV") project with an installed capacity of 5.46 megawatt (MW), located in Teleorman county, Romania from two German investors.
12 May 2021
M.Cojocaru O.Constantinescu M.Mitan S.Lehniuc C.Stan M.Florea A.Damaschin G.Bădescu
renew romania 2021
the investor’s guide to renewable energy projects 2021
Romania: Schoenherr advises Risen Energy Solar Project GmbH on the sale of 20 MW PV park to Alternus Energy Group plc.
Schoenherr Romania advised Risen Energy Solar Project GmbH on the sale of a photovoltaic ("PV") project with an installed capacity of 20 MW, located in Giurgiu county, Romania to Alternus Energy Group plc.
Austria: Schoenherr advises leading energy service providers on e-mobility joint venture
Webinar: Renew Romania
renewable energy | bridging the gap between the current reality and 2030 ambitions
Green April: European Commission publishes sustainable finance and reporting package
On 21 April 2021, the European Commission (ECOM) published measures aimed at fostering sustainable investment and steering finance towards the European Green Deal.
Die Hüterin der EAG-Förderungen: Überblick zur EAG-Förderabwicklungsstelle
In Schönherrs Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz Infocorner werden die wesentlichen Eckpunkte des EAG-Pakets dargestellt und praxisrelevante Rechtsfragen behandelt. Bleiben Sie zudem über aktuelle Veranstaltungen und Webinare informiert.
EAG: Änderungen des ElWOG und GWG
Die am 17.03.2021 veröffentlichte Regierungsvorlage des EAG-Gesetzespakets umfasst neben dem neuen Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz unter anderem auch Novellen des ElWOG und des GWG. Diese Novellen haben das Ziel, erneuerbare Energiequellen in das Energiesystem zu integrieren und die Systeminnovationen zu implementieren.
Hier kommt die Sonne(nenergie)
Am 17.03.2021 wurde der mit Spannung erwartete Entwurf des Bundesgesetzes über den Ausbau von Energie aus erneuerbaren Quellen (Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz – EAG) im Ministerrat beschlossen. Um die Investitionssicherheit für bestehende und zukünftige Anlagen zu gewährleisten, bringt der Entwurf bedeutende Änderungen des Fördersystems für Photovoltaikanlagen – ein erster Überblick!
Neues EAG: Update zu Energiegemeinschaften!
Am 17.03.2021 wurde die Regierungsvorlage zum geplanten Bundesgesetz über den Ausbau von Energie aus erneuerbaren Quellen (Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz – EAG) veröffentlicht. Diesem lang ersehnten Schritt geht ein Begutachtungsverfahren mit über 100 Stellungnahmen voraus. Mehr als 6 Monate wurde am Begutachtungsentwurf gearbeitet. Für die geplanten Energiegemeinschaften gibt es einige wesentliche Änderungen.
Schoenherr's ESG task force is made up of experienced experts in various legal areas and industries across the CEE region. The team advises on all environmental, social and governance-related questions and challenges.
If you have any questions about ESG, please contact our ESG task force!
Austria and CEE
Christoph
Moser
Partner
austria vienna
Czech Republic
Jan
Kupčík
Attorney at Law
czech republic
Michal
Jendželovský
Attorney at Law
czech republic
Monika
Voldánová
Attorney at Law
czech republic
Kristýna
Tupá
Attorney at Law
czech republic