ESG Resource Center

Debevoise has deep experience in the broad range of issues that arise as environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns and requirements become increasingly important. The firm brings together sophisticated, multidisciplinary and multinational teams with expertise in private and public company governance, asset management, private funds, compliance and enforcement, public and private international law, sustainability and environmental matters and labor and benefits issues. We provide tailored and practical guidance across the evolving ESG and business integrity spectrum by counseling on trends and prudential issues, delivering concrete legal advice on evolving regulations and policies, and helping clients prepare for the legal, financial and reputational risks arising in this rapidly changing landscape.


To sign up to our ESG Update, which summarizes the latest ESG developments on a biweekly basis, click here.

Resources by Subject

  • Latest
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Bank Regulatory
  • Board Considerations
  • Business Integrity
  • Compensation and Benefits
  • Data Governance /
    AI Compliance
  • Disclosure Requirements & Considerations
  • Employment and Workplace
  • Environmental & Climate
  • Funds Regulatory
  • Impact Investing
  • Insurance Regulation
  • All
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Resources by Type

  • Representative ESG Matters
  • Articles
  • Webcasts
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ESG Update

For past editions of our ESG Update, see here.

To sign up to future editions, click here.

In the news this week:

  1. U.S.: Fifth Circuit Gives DOL 30 Days to Reconsider ESG Rule for ERISA Fiduciaries—Fifth Circuit’s rejection of indefinite abeyance puts pressure on Department of Labor to decide whether to rescind the Rule.
  2. U.S.: SEC Approves First Sustainability-Focused Stock Exchange—GIX Exchange to become operational by 2026.
  3. U.S.: EPA Publishes List of Power Plants to Be Temporarily Exempted from Pollution Regulations—Presidential Proclamation postpones for two years compliance with toxic emissions rules for certain coal-fired power plants.
  4. EU: Commission Opens Consultation on Delegated Regulation to Clarify Scope of Deforestation Regulation—Delegated Regulation provides further detail on which products are not included under the Regulation’s due diligence requirements.
  5. Global: Net-Zero Banking Alliance Votes in Favor of Revised Climate Guidance Amid Member Departures—New framework from the UN-backed banking group shifts from strict 1.5°C target following exits by major U.S. and other banks.

Click here for more details of the above stories.

Reports and Tools

The Debevoise ESG team remains committed to developing reports and tools which help to further the wider ESG conversation, and provide organizations navigating their way through the full scope of ESG issues.

Below are links to a selection of these reports and tools, many of which have been developed with our friends and colleagues outside the firm.

Biodiversity 101: A primer exploring recent biodiversity developments and considerations for companies and financial institutions looking to design their own biodiversity strategies.

U.S. Climate Regulatory Guide for Banking Organizations: A guide in conjunction with the Risk Management Association reviewing key climate change-related regulatory developments for banking organizations.

SFDR Compliance for US Funds: A White Paper exploring how the European Union’s SFDR presents practical challenges for US asset managers that raise capital in Europe

Business Integrity Screen: A tool aimed at navigating the increasing complex issue of the management of business integrity risk and its many legal dimensions.

ESG Comparative Guide: A guide published with Global Legal Post, examining ESG regulatory developments across 14 jurisdictions.

Key Contacts

A broad range of lawyers across practices, industries and geographies advise clients on ESG considerations. The key contacts below serve as the core members of an interdisciplinary ESG group.

Geoffrey P. Burgess Andrew M. Levine William D. Regner Jeffrey J. Rosen Samantha J. Rowe Caroline N. Swett Patricia Volhard Ulysses Smith

Related Practices & Industries

Banking Business Integrity Corporate Governance Environmental Funds Regulatory Insurance Private Equity White Collar & Regulatory Defense

External Resources

PRI: Private Market Investment Tools New York Stock Exchange’s ESG Resource Center Nasdaq’s ESG Resources for Listed Companies Reuters’ “ESG Investing” Resource Page Bloomberg’s “Navigating the EU ESG Landscape” Report ABA’s Contractual Clauses Project Invest Europe’s Responsible Investment Page ESMA’s Sustainable Finance Initiative IFRS Foundation Public Consultation on Sustainability Reporting The Green Finance Platform ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines for 2021 UNEP’s Finance Initiative