The seven-week inquiry will assess the potential impact of decarbonization on the UK economy, and examine opportunities for the growth of green finance. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On World Environment Day, June 5, 2019, the UK Treasury Committee (the Committee) launched an inquiry into the decarbonization of the UK economy and green finance. The inquiry will scrutinize the role of HM Treasury (HMT), regulators, and financial services firms in supporting the…

Environment, Land & Resources

UK Adopts 2050 Net-Zero Greenhouse Gases Target

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 12, 2019

The UK is the first major economy and G7 country to adopt the target following the CCC’s May 2019 recommendation. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green Adoption of 2050 Net-Zero Target UK Prime Minister Theresa May has confirmed that the UK government will adopt the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC’s) recommended net-zero target by 2050, and will formalize that adoption through legislation. The new target supersedes the 80% greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by…

Environment, Land & Resources

ESG Moves Into Mainstream Investing

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 11, 2019

Recent studies show ESG implementation in mainstream finance has improved significantly, presenting opportunities for sustainable, long-term returns. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green In recent years, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) implementation has transformed from a niche to mainstream activity, as asset managers, asset owners, and pension funds increasingly recognize the importance of ESG factors to investors, stakeholders, and shareholders. Issues such as climate change, remuneration, modern slavery, and equal pay have led…

Environment, Land & Resources

China’s Environmental Social Credit System Encourages Self-Regulation by 2020

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 10, 2019

China continues to implement an IT-based big data system of market regulation that rewards and punishes individuals and enterprises. By Paul A. Davies and R. Andrew Westgate China is currently implementing an innovative approach to monitoring, rating, and regulating the behaviour of market participants through a new “social credit system” (SCS) set forth in the Plan for Establishing a Social Credit System (the Plan). The Plan, first published in 2014, applies credit ratings across social,…

Environment, Land & Resources

China Kick-Starts Investment in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 10, 2019

China’s NDRC will provide green subsidies to projects that address significant environmental problems. By Paul A. Davies and R. Andrew Westgate China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced plans to provide subsidies of up to 60% for “green” investment projects in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China’s latest attempt to combat pollution while stimulating growth. Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Plan 2016 The Chinese government announced the launch of the YREB…

LathamGermany

Erste Urteile zum Recht auf Auskunft und Kopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 6, 2019

Müssen Verantwortliche betroffenen Personen auf Anfrage umfangreiche Datensätze zur Verfügung stellen? Art. 15 Abs. 1 DSGVO gibt natürlichen Personen ein Auskunftsrecht über die Verarbeitung ihrer personenbezogenen Daten. Das für eine Datenverarbeitung verantwortliche Unternehmen muss betroffene Personen auf deren Antrag hin umfassend über die verarbeiteten Daten informieren. Dieses Auskunftsrecht betrifft beispielsweise die Zwecke und Empfänger sowie weitere Einzelheiten der Verarbeitung. Weiterhin muss der Verantwortliche nach Art. 15 Abs. 3 DSGVO auch eine „Kopie der personenbezogenen Daten,…

Global FinTech & Payments Blog

Regulators Get Tough on Regulatory Outsourcing Failings

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 6, 2019

Latest FCA and PRA fines against a retail bank show little tolerance for poor outsourcing systems and controls. By Fiona M. Maclean, Christian F. McDermott, Laura Holden, and Charlotte Collins On 29 May 2019, the FCA and PRA announced that they had fined an independent UK bank for failing to manage its outsourcing arrangements properly between April 2014 and December 2016. The bank received separate fines of £775,100 from the FCA and…

Latham.London

Enforcement of an Award Adjourned Against a Non-Party to an Arbitration Agreement

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 5, 2019

Parties should avoid uncertainties by stipulating the applicable law to the arbitration agreement. By Eleanor M. Scogings and Robert Price The decision in J (Lebanon) v. K (Kuwait)[i] provides a useful analysis of which law (i.e., the law of the arbitration agreement or the law of the seat) governs the issue of whether a non-party has become party to the arbitration agreement and, more broadly, how to determine which law governs the arbitration agreement…

Latham.London

New PSR Industry Code Entitles Victims of Fraud to Reimbursement

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 4, 2019

The new code aims to avoid customers being penalised for fraudsters’ actions. By Andrea Monks and Nell Perks Estimates indicate that fraudsters stole £1.2 billion from UK bank accounts in 2018 — a 16% increase on the previous year. UK Finance has described fraud as a “major threat to the UK”, and has confirmed that the finance industry is committed to tackling the issue. However, developments in banking that have led to quick and easy…

LathamGermany

Deutscher Corporate Governance Kodex

By Latham & Watkins LLP on June 4, 2019

Eine vollständige Neufassung Von Sebastian Goslar Am 9. Mai 2019 hat die Regierungskommission Deutsche Corporate Governance eine vollständige Neufassung des Deutsche Corporate Governance Kodex (DCGK) beschlossen. Diese wurde am 22. Mai 2019 der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich gemacht. Vorangegangen war ein ungewöhnlich langes Konsultationsverfahren, das mit der Veröffentlichung einer Entwurfsfassung des DCGK am 6. November 2018 und am 31. Januar 2019 endete. Im Rahmen dieser Konsultation wurden über 100 Stellungnahmen von Verbänden, Unternehmen, Anwaltskanzleien und anderen interessierten…

Latham & Watkins LLP

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UK Treasury Committee Launches Inquiry Into Decarbonization And Green Finance

UK Adopts 2050 Net-Zero Greenhouse Gases Target

ESG Moves Into Mainstream Investing

China’s Environmental Social Credit System Encourages Self-Regulation by 2020

China Kick-Starts Investment in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Erste Urteile zum Recht auf Auskunft und Kopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO

Regulators Get Tough on Regulatory Outsourcing Failings

Enforcement of an Award Adjourned Against a Non-Party to an Arbitration Agreement

New PSR Industry Code Entitles Victims of Fraud to Reimbursement

Deutscher Corporate Governance Kodex

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