Garrigues Sustainable brings together Garrigues’ 20 years of experience in ESG matters
Organized along 12 service lines, it encompasses advice provided by the firm to its clients covering all angles of business law
Sustainability, as the only way to ensure the future of organizations, is one of Garrigues’ strategic pillars, on two fronts: as a tax and law firm, we help our clients address sustainability-related challenges and opportunities in the broadest sense. As an organization, we are firmly committed to ESG principles in the pursuit of our activity.
Garrigues led the way 20 years ago in creating G-advisory, a technical consultancy arm specializing in energy and ESG matters that has led technical due diligence reviews and projects in over 35 countries. In 2011 we launched the corporate governance and corporate social responsibility service line. Given our broad sustainability credentials, our ability to stay one step ahead due to our in-depth regulatory knowledge, and the sheer number of professionals with expertise in this area, we have gone a step further with Garrigues Sustainable, which coordinates the advice offered to clients through multi-country and multidisciplinary teams, with experts in all areas of business law, organized around 12 service lines.
With this comprehensive approach, Garrigues Sustainable’s services focus on fostering compliance culture, by designing management systems and internal control models; on good governance recommendations and legal obligations; on creating and reviewing sustainability plans and policies in light of the SDGs, paying particular attention to gender equality, diversity and pay matters; on the energy transition, analyzing local, national and international legislation; and on providing comprehensive advice on project finance and green deals, such as bond issues and loans, where Garrigues is a European leader. By sectors, sustainable tourism also has a specific service line.
Garrigues Sustainable also reinforces Garrigues’ commitment as an organization. The firm has pursued its activity in accordance with the UN Global Compact since 2002 and was the first law firm to define and analyze its contribution to the SDGs under the 2030 Agenda. Our efforts center on ensuring diversity of talent and equal opportunities and protecting the environment, by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering wider environmental awareness. In 2020 we reached a major milestone: 100% of our European offices now use energy from renewable sources. This year, we were the only law firm classed among the European companies driving the fight against climate change in the Financial Times Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021 ranking.
The ESG Committee, chaired by partner Rosa Zarza and made up of representatives from the difference practice areas, offices and internal departments, is tasked with coordinating the firm’s strategy in this area.