Climate Change

Climate Change is an accelerating global concern attracting attention from both the general public and businesses alike. For example, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and five suburban Northeast Ohio mayors signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the international Kyoto Protocol Standards.

As a growing number of local companies are also taking steps to evaluate and manage carbon related risks and opportunities, McMahon DeGulis formed the first Climate Change Practice Group in Ohio. The launch of the practice group tracks with a January 2006 McKinsey survey report in which 28% of the global business executives surveyed identified environmental issues, including climate change, as one of the top three issues that affect shareholder value.

McMahon DeGulis' legal portfolio of air, energy, insurance and risk management work make the firm uniquely qualified to integrate clients' existing business needs with climate related policy and market trends. We provide counseling on climate change risk disclosure for financial statements, annual reports, and voluntary corporate social responsibility reports. Additionally, we evaluate and advise on current and anticipated opportunities arising in carbon markets, such as emissions trading and banking, carbon offsets, and renewable energy certificates.

Representative Matters

Assisting in the design of a carbon emission market strategy for one of the world's largest manufacturers of energy efficient lighting

Advise a major lubricant manufacturer of the changes in law and trends of their future business, specifically analyzing the trends of carbon markets and other issues in the climate change and advanced energy arena

Evaluating and advising on current and anticipated opportunities arising in carbon markets, such as emissions trading and banking, carbon offsets, and renewable energy certificates
Supporting litigation and other disputes arising out of carbon emissions, emissions trading and related credits

Analyzing insurance risk and determining coverage and policies to minimize damages related to carbon footprints

Advising on crisis management and disaster/recovery planning for weather phenomena related to climate change

Counseling on climate change risk disclosure for financial statements, annual reports, and voluntary corporate social responsibility reports

Counseling on supply chain and other contractual demands

For more information on Climate Change, please contact Dave Nash.

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