DLA Piper has been appointed as exclusive legal partner of the Russian Chapter, the local hub for the global platform on climate change that operates under the auspices of the World Economic Forum’s Climate Governance Initiative (CGI).
The World Economic Forum Principles for Climate Governance for boards, published in January 2019, has prompted groups of board directors around the world to form networks committed to promoting the principles and encouraging action in their companies to deal with the implications of climate change. The CGI has already seen the launch of national chapters in eight G20 countries.
In support of this project, DLA Piper is providing pro bono assistance with the establishment of the chapter in Russia, corporate governance matters and ongoing legal support. Led by Moscow-based Corporate partner Steffen Kaufmann, the firm’s multijurisdictional team includes Brussels-based Litigation and Regulatory counsel Alec Van Vaerenbergh and Moscow-based associate Nikita Shabalin.
Elena Haykin (née Sapozhnikova), the Russian Chapter’s founder and chair of management board, commented: “By convening the CGI in Russia, we are helping build the competencies of the local company directors to enable them to place climate change at the heart of business strategy and board decision-making processes. I am very glad that DLA Piper shares our values and joined this ambitious initiative from the very beginning.”
DLA Piper’s partner Steffen Kaufmann commented: “We are honoured to have been appointed as exclusive legal partner of the Russian Chapter. Consistent with our purpose to make business better, this appointment is part of DLA Piper’s global strategic objective to drive further its climate efforts and address the growing demand from clients for advice on sustainability and ESG-related issues. With our truly global capabilities, we are ideally placed to support the growing awareness and development of climate-effective board governance in Russia.”