ESG & Sustainability

Strategic ESG and Sustainability Advice

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are reshaping how organisations are regulated, financed and assessed. Holmes advises organisations on embedding ESG into governance, compliance and sustainability reporting frameworks, helping boards and leadership teams meet regulatory obligations while delivering long-term, sustainable value.

We support both corporate and public bodies in navigating complex Irish and EU ESG requirements, including CSRD, SFDR and the EU Taxonomy, with advice that is practical, defensible and aligned with organisational purpose and risk appetite.

Our ESG Legal Services

Holmes provides end-to-end ESG legal support across strategy, compliance, reporting and training.

ESG Strategy & Governance

• Advising on board-level ESG duties and director responsibilities

• Supporting ESG risk assessment and strategic decision-making

• Designing governance frameworks to embed ESG into corporate strategy

ESG Reporting & Compliance

• Ensuring alignment with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

• Guidance on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and EU Taxonomy

• Preparing sustainability-linked reports and audits

• Mitigating ESG disclosure and greenwashing risk

ESG Training & Advisory

• Tailored ESG training for boards and executives

• Briefings on Irish and EU ESG regulatory developments

• Practical workshops to support compliance readiness and investor confidence

ESG Experience

Our ESG solicitors have advised Irish and international organisations on ESG compliance, sustainability reporting and governance matters, supporting boards and leadership teams in meeting regulatory obligations and managing stakeholder scrutiny.

Holmes’ recent ESG experience includes:

• Aligning ESG and sustainability reporting with CSRD and SFDR obligations

• Advising boards of corporates and public bodies on ESG compliance strategies

• Supporting organisations in developing governance frameworks for climate and sustainability reporting

• Acting in ESG-related shareholder and disclosure disputes

• Delivering ESG and governance training for directors in regulated industries

Multi-Disciplinary ESG Expertise

ESG issues frequently cut across corporate, regulatory, litigation and governance considerations. Our ESG team draws on expertise from across the firm to provide integrated legal support, including:

• ESG due diligence in corporate transactions

• Net-zero transition strategies and environmental compliance

• Governance and oversight for state and semi-state bodies

• Litigation and regulatory defence relating to ESG matters

For advice on director duties, shareholder rights and Companies Act compliance, see our Corporate Governance legal advisory services.

Trusted Advisors on ESG and Sustainability

Holmes is a trusted legal advisor on ESG and sustainability matters, combining deep expertise in Irish and EU regulation with a governance-first approach. We work closely with boards, leadership teams and in-house counsel to deliver ESG advice that is practical, proportionate and aligned with regulatory expectations and stakeholder scrutiny.

If you require advice on ESG governance, sustainability reporting or regulatory compliance, speak with a member of our ESG and Sustainability team for a confidential discussion.