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Keys and abbreviations
UK
These events are UK-centric
Global
These events are international
BEIS | Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
COP | Conference of the Parties
DEFRA | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DIT | Department for International Trade
ESG | Environmental, Social and Governance
ETS | Emissions Trading Scheme
GHG | Greenhouse Gas Emissions
IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ISSB | International Sustainability Standards Board
NS&I | National Savings and Investments
TCFD | Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures
TNFD | Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures
In the pipeline
30 November-12 December
COP28 in United Arab Emirates
2023
14 Nov 2023
Court of Appeal dismisses ClientEarth claim to hold the directors of Shell personally liable for failing to properly prepare for the net zero Transition.
09 Oct 2023
The Transition Plan Taskforce launch a disclosure framework and implementation guidance to assist businesses with their transition plans (to a greener economy). The plans will help businesses embed sustainability into their strategies, accountability mechanisms and governance.
18 Sep 2023
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) publishes its nature-related risk management and disclosure framework.
26 Jul 2023
UK Supreme Court ruling in PACCAR Truck appeal likely to render many Litigation Funding Agreements (including for climate litigation) unenforceable.
21 Jul 2023
Court of Appeal refuses permission for beneficiaries of a pension scheme to bring a derivative action against the directors of that scheme for failing to create a credible plan to reduce investment into fossil fuels.
26 Jun 2023
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) published its first set of sustainability disclosure standards (Standard 1 and Standard 2)
31 May 2023
High Court confirms a hearing challenging the UK Government's decision to permit the first deep coal mine in more than 30 years
18 May 2023
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announces that the UK will join US-led Carbon Management Challenge
6 Apr 2023
Members of the Net Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) are quitting the initiative following backlash from US politicians who are targeting collective climate action groups they perceive to be unfairly hitting the oil and gas industry. All have said they will continue to leverage their climate risk expertise to accelerate decarbonisation and support their insureds’ transition journeys.
20 Mar 2023
FCA publishes a letter outlining the findings of its preliminary review on ESG benchmarks
13 Mar 2023
Bank of England publishes a report on climate-related risks and the regulatory capital frameworks
16 Feb 2023
ClientEarth sues the FCA, claiming that the regulator unlawfully signed off listing documents that did not adequately outline climate change risks
24 Jan 2023
Competition Markets Authority (CMA) announces plans to ease antitrust rules on climate change initiatives
13 Jan 2023
Former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore publishes his Net Zero Review, outlining the opportunities offered by net zero
12 Jan 2023
The head of Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company is appointed as president of COP28 by host nation, the United Arab Emirates
2022
7-19 Dec 2022
UN calls for biodiversity ‘peace pact with nature’ during COP15 in Montreal, Canada
28 Nov-2 Dec 2022
Intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution in Uruguay
7-18 Nov 2022
Countries reach an agreement to provide loss and damage funding (including the creation of a dedicated fund) for climate change losses during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
25 Oct 2022
FCA launches a consultation on Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and investment labels
1 Oct 2022
UK pension schemes required to measure and disclose how their investments support Paris climate goals
19-25 Sep 2022
Climate Week 2022 in New York, USA
29 Aug-1 Sep 2022
Africa Climate Week in Libreville, Gabon
9 Aug 2022
FCA publishes an open letter to Chief Executive Officers as it prepares to crack down on greenwashing in the alternatives space
2 Aug 2022
The UK Government launches the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which will provide £635m of funding for environmentally friendly solutions to public sector organisations
29 Jul 2022
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) publish two reports on the quality of premium listed companies’ climate disclosures
18 Jul 2022
The High Court in the UK finds that the government’s strategy for getting to Net Zero is inadequate and unlawful, following a legal challenge brought by Good Law Project, Joanna Wheatley, Client Earth and Friends of the Earth
6 Jul 2022
The Supreme Court in the US decides that the government cannot use its existing powers to phase out coal-fired power generation without “clear congressional authorization”
29 Jun 2022
- Climate Change Committee (CCC) publishes its report on the UK’s net zero progress
- FCA shares feedback on ESG integration in UK capital markets and sets out potential next steps
26 Jun 2022
Start of the G7 Summit in Germany
25 Jun-3 Jul 2022
London Climate Action Week
1 Jun 2022
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) launches a consultation proposing to introduce a new requirement to ensure actuarial practitioners have regard to climate change and ESG related risks
24 May 2022
The Bank of England (BoE) publishes the results of the Climate Biennial Exploratory Scenario (CBES)
12 May 2022
The UK Government launches a consultation on updating the UK’s Green Finance Strategy
11 May 2022
The Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) opens a Call for Evidence on a Sector-Neutral Framework for private-sector transition plans
25 Apr 2022
HM Treasury launches the UK Transition Plan Taskforce (UKTPT) to develop world leading climate transition plans for UK companies
6 Apr 2022
Commencement of mandatory climate risk disclosure for over 1,300 of the largest companies and financial institutions
6 Apr 2022
UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation announce their intention to collaborate on building synergies to support banks and other private financial institutions in setting robust, science-based targets
4 Apr 2022
IPCC publishes the third part of the Sixth Assessment Report - Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change
31 Mar 2022
International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) launches a consultation on proposed climate-related disclosure standards
25 Mar 2022
The UK ETS Authority launches a consultation on developing the UK Emissions Trading Scheme
21 Mar 2022
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US proposes rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures for investors
15 Mar 2022
The Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) releases its first beta version of framework for market consultation
2 Mar 2022
Friends of the Earth announces that it has been granted permission to bring its legal challenge against the government’s Net Zero Strategy (NZS) and Heat and Buildings Strategy (HBS) to the High Court
28 Feb 2022
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publishes its Sixth Assessment Report – Impacts, Adaption and Vulnerability, assessing the effects of climate change and how humanity can adapt
24 Feb 2022
First scheduled flight of the Nasa X-57, an experimental aircraft powered by electricity
21 Feb 2022
The International Regulatory Strategy Group (IRSG) publishes a report on ESG ratings and ESG data in the financial services sector
15 Feb 2022
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan unveils a new £90m green bond investment to mobilise £500m for low-carbon projects to meet the city's net-zero target
14 Feb 2022
The UK and Scottish Governments announce a partnership agreement to create two Green Freeports in Scotland
17 Jan 2022
UK Government publishes its Third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3)
13 Jan 2022
Milieudefensie sends letter to 30 corporations (including insurers) asking them to reduce emissions or face action by Milieudefensie
4 Jan 2022
Chris Cummings, CEO of the Investment Association, says that the development of consistent standards on ESG investing will be key in helping the UK investment industry maintain its global pre-eminence
2021
17 Dec 2021
FCA publishes further guidance on climate-related disclosures
10 Dec 2021
The Confederation of British Industry, the Trade Union Congress and a number of green NGOs urge the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that the Glasgow Climate Pact reached at COP26 is implemented
12 Nov 2021
COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow concludes with a global agreement to accelerate action on climate change this decade
4 Nov 2021
In Abrahams v Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the Federal Court of Australia grants claimant first ever climate change pre-action disclosure application
3 Nov 2021
190 countries sign up to “Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement” which aims to phase out coal as an energy source
3 Nov 2021
28 new members sign up to the Powering Past Coal Alliance
3 Nov 2021
FCA publishes its ESG strategy, setting out the role of the regulator in supporting the financial sector to drive positive change and contribute to the net zero transition
1 Nov 2021
COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow starts
29 Oct 2021
HM Treasury announces that 1,300 of the UK’s largest companies and financial institutions will be required to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities from April 2022
22 Oct 2021
UK launches its first sovereign green bond through National Savings & Investment (NS&I)
22 Oct 2021
Parent company Royal Dutch Shell announced its target to halve its carbon emissions by 2030
20 Oct 2021
UK Government publishes its Presidency Programme ahead of COP 26
19 Oct 2021
BEIS releases “Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener”, setting out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050
13 Oct 2021
NatWest commits to provide £100bn of climate and sustainable funding by 2025
17 Aug 2021
BEIS publishes its first Hydrogen Strategy
21 Jul 2021
DIT publishes its “Green Trade” report
1 Jul 2021
Defra announces the launch of the Interim Office for Environmental Protection
30 Jun 2021
Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP announces publication of the Green Financing Framework
22 Jun 2021
FCA launches consultation on plans to extend mandatory climate risk reporting requirements to most UK companies and domestic asset managers
26 May 2021
Senior Conservatives urge the Prime Minister to introduce a new levy on imports based on carbon emissions that are not carbon taxed at source
26 May 2021
Hague District Court, Netherlands requires Shell reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030
21 Apr 2021
UK COP26 Presidency launches Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)
20 Apr 2021
UK Government announces its plan to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035
24 Mar 2021
BEIS launches a consultation on proposals to mandate climate-related financial disclosures
17 Mar 2021
UK Government publishes its Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy
10 Mar 2021
Major UK pension funds commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier
12 Feb 2021
UK Supreme Court clarifies issues on parent company liability in Okpabi & Others v Royal Dutch Shell Plc
2 Feb 2021
Final Report of the independent Review on the Economics of Biodiversity published – led by Professor Dasgupta
20 Jan 2021
Newly elected President Biden resubmits USA to the Paris Agreement and lays the groundwork for a major climate change mitigation policy linked to the US economic recovery
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21 Dec 2020
FCA publish policy statement requiring UK premium listed companies to include a statement in their financial report setting out whether their disclosures are consistent with the recommendations of the TCFD.
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16 Dec 2020
The Supreme Court held the decision taken by the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the expansion of Heathrow Airport was lawful because he had taken into account the Paris Agreement when drafting the Airport’s National Policy Statement (ANPS).
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3 Dec 2020
The government has set a new target for 68% emissions reduction by 2030.
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23 Nov 2020
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Report find that COVID-19 has had little impact on the global rise in C02. Whilst carbon emissions have fallen dramatically, this has only marginally slowed the overall rise in concentrations.
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9 Nov 2020
The government announced its intention to make TCFD aligned disclosures mandatory across the economy by 2025 with a significant portion of mandatory requirements in place by 2023.
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29 Oct 2020
Publication of TCFD consultation on forward-looking climate metrics for financial firms.
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29 Oct 2020
The TCFD annual report 2020 finds only 42% of companies (with market capitalisation greater than $10bn) disclosed some information in line with recommendations.
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3 Oct 2020
Committee on Climate Change Progress Report finds Scotland’s GHG emissions fell faster than any other nation of the G20 over the last decade.
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30 Sep 2020
Government launches £2bn Green Homes Grant Scheme which forms part of a wider plan to “build back greener” from COVID-19. Scheme is expected to support an additional 120,000 jobs.
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22 Sep 2020
China pledges to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060.
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19 Aug 2020
DEFRA sets out how it will use legally binding targets under the Environmental Bill to combat environmental and climate challenges. A consultation in early 2022 will be released for responses to proposed targets.
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15 Jul 2020
Government plans to recreate new green investment bank to help fund technologies and infrastructure required to reach the legally binding 2050 net zero emissions target.
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14 Jul 2020
Revised National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England laid before Parliament, setting out objectives and measures to achieve long-term vision - “a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change today, tomorrow and to the year 2100."
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9 Jul 2020
Launch of Environment Agency 5 year plan for reaching a greener, healthier future.
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29 Jun 2020
The Climate Financial Risk Forum publishes guide to help the financial industry address climate-related financial risks including the recommendation of climate risks disclosure.
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5 Jun 2020
COP26 President, Alok Sharma MP and COP26 financial adviser Mark Carney (amongst others) launch the “Race to Zero” campaign (the COP26 theme) to mobilise support for the net zero transition across businesses, cities and nations.
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27 May 2020
EU unveil a green recovery package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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7 May 2020
Barclays pledges to align its financing activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
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1 Apr 2020
The COP26 UN climate change conference set to take place in November 2020 is postponed due to COVID-19.
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23 Mar 2020
Pacific Gas & Electric, California’s largest energy utility company, agrees to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California.
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4 Mar 2020
European Commission proposes European Climate Law which sets the 2050 target and consults on the future European Climate Pact.
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27 Feb 2020
First major ruling based on the Paris Agreement: Court of Appeal rejects Heathrow expansion plan as illegal for failing to adequately take into account the UK government’s climate commitments.
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27 Feb 2020
COP26 Private Finance Agenda launched by the Bank of England to help private finance support the global economy transition to net zero.
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13 Feb 2020
UK government appoints Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, President of COP26.
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30 Jan 2020
Environment Bill reintroduced to Parliament, including a new commitment to review international developments in environmental legislation every two years.
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28 Jan 2020
Commencement of the European Green Deal Initiative – the roadmap for making the EU’s economy sustainable.
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17 Jan 2020
Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, appointed by the Prime Minister as Finance Advisor for COP26.
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8 Jan 2020
Barclays pressed to stop financing some fossil fuel companies: shareholder climate change resolution filed for the bank’s annual investor meeting.
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20 Dec 2019
Netherlands: Dutch Supreme Court confirms the European Convention of Human Rights requires a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of at least 25% by 2020 (Urgenda v Netherlands).
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2-13 Dec 2019
Annual UN Climate Conference COP25 held in Madrid at which scientists announce that on current data, globally, all countries are not on track to achieve the Paris Agreement targets.
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7 Nov 2019
New Zealand’s Zero Carbon Act 2019 comes into force, legislating target for net zero emissions by 2050.
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15 Oct 2019
UK government introduces the Environment Bill 2019 to Parliament to make provision about targets, plans an policies for improving the natural environment.
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15 Oct 2019
Prudential Regulation Authority requires banks and insurers to have an initial plan in place to manage the financial risks from climate change (Policy Statement 11/19).
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2 Jul 2019
Launch of the Green Finance Strategy in the UK and the Green Finance Institute at the City of London Corporation’s annual summit.
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30 Jun 2019
Chubb announces that it will stop underwriting new coal projects with existing coverage to be phased out by 2022.
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27 Jun 2019
The Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 comes in force and sets revised target for net zero emissions by 2050.
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20 Mar 2019
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) extends scrutiny of how regulated companies are managing financial risks of climate change.
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8 Feb 2019
Australia: NSW Court refuses development approval for the Rocky Hill Coal Mine Project on climate change grounds (Gloucester Resources Ltd v Minister for Planning).
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24 Dec 2018
Three key pieces of EU legislation in the Clean Energy for All Europeans package comes into force setting a 2030 target of 32% of clean energy and a requirement for Member States to draw up “climate plans” for 2021 to 2030.
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26 Apr 2017
Insurers begin to lead the way in withdrawing insurance coverage from coal projects: early movers include AXA, Allianz, Swiss Re and Zurich.
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4 Nov 2016
The Paris Agreement comes into force setting out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change.
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