The fourth beta version establishes draft disclosure metrics as well as biome and sector guidance — with final TNFD recommendations due in September 2023.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Austin J. Pierce

The Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published the fourth (and final) beta version of its framework (Version 0.4) at the end of March 2023. Version 0.4 introduces more specific guidance on metrics, as well as risk management considerations for particular sectors and biomes. The final recommendations, which are slated for publication in September 2023, seek to leverage the successes of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and COP15 to facilitate quick uptake by a variety of entities.

This blog post summarizes the key takeaways from Version 0.4 and sets out five general principles for companies to consider as they contemplate using the TNFD framework or disclosing natural capital information more broadly.

Lightbulb is located on the soil, and plant are growing.Renewable energy generation is essential in the future.

In this report, Mayer Brown and Sedgwick Richardson share the results of our recent survey about sustainable asset management in Asia.  

As interest in sustainability continues to grow worldwide, much of the focus has been on Europe and the United States. From the explosive growth of flows into funds classified as Article 8 or 9…

Proposed legislation would impose new constraints and regulatory obstacles for renewable energy, as conservative responses to ESG-related initiatives continue to morph across the US.

By Sarah E. Fortt, Joshua W. Marnitz, and Austin J. Pierce

The Texas legislature is considering several bills that could significantly impact both the regulatory landscape for renewable energy projects in the state and policy debates heating up around the country.

Texas leads among US states in renewable energy generation, producing more electricity from wind and utility-scale solar facilities than any other state by far.[1] In 2022, for instance, it produced more than twice the number of gigawatt-hours from wind and utility-scale solar sources than California. However, the proposed bills could substantially alter the trajectory (and viability) of various energy transition projects, as conservative policymakers continue to flex their regulatory power to shape the conversation around ESG and related initiatives.

This post summarizes the key aspects of several bills under consideration in the state and briefly outlines what they might mean for renewable energy projects in Texas.

MexicoCity

On March 28, 2023, Mexico’s President presented to the Chamber of Representatives an initiative to amend several provisions of the Mining Law, the National Water Law, the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection, and the General Law for the Prevention and Integral Management of Waste regarding mining and water concessions (the “Initiative”).

The…

by Fred Breedlove

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has released its Near-term Colorado River Operations Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, analyzing three paths forward for managing the Colorado River in light of the potentially dire consequences if they fail to act.  The Draft SEIS describes three potential choices without making a specific recommendation: (1)…

Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it has given final approval to the TransWest Express transmission line, a 732-mile project that will move electricity from a large wind farm in Wyoming to an interconnection point near Las Vegas.  Most of the electrons will ultimately provide power to California. 
According to EnergyWire (subscription required),…