Pinsent Masons launches Climate Change Mitigation & Sustainability platform

Rice, who has been the firm's energy sector head since 2017, will lead the program which will coordinate internal and client facing climate change initiatives with the goal of further reducing the firm's environmental impact and supporting clients in tackling the climate crisis.

The appointment comes as the firm exceeds its 2020 target of a 20% reduction of absolute energy consumption across its UK offices following the launch of its sustainability initiative in 2015. In March the firm reported a 30% reduction achieved via implementation of tech solutions and the firm's transformation to an agile business.

Paul Rice said, "Governments around the world are setting bold net zero targets in order to meet the Paris Agreement goals, but these cannot be achieved without businesses playing their part.

"Successful implementation requires all stakeholders to foster deeper understanding of the developing law and policies addressing climate change and how a business can adapt and play its part in helping to arrest climate change. We have a wealth of experience working on ground breaking low carbon projects around the world and want to further embed a deep understanding of the climate related issues that all businesses are now facing. As a purpose-led business we have a responsibility to help shape a better world and I look forward to taking on this exciting new challenge."

An environmental lawyer by background with 26 years of experience, Paul has expertise advising on energy generation new build projects across CCGT, nuclear, biomass, combined heat and power plants, and energy from waste facilities – including a wide range of innovative low carbon projects including Plasco waste gasification and CCm Technologies.

Head of client strategy Pinsent Masons, Alastair Morrison, said, "As a global organisation we are both cognisant and conscious of the impact we have on climate change. We have been successful in reducing our environmental impact and fostering genuine change but we recognise that there is no end date. Paul's experience in the energy sector makes him a natural fit to lead this new pillar of the firm."

The firm has advised on a number of ground-breaking clean energy projects in recent years including the Cleve Hill Solar Park project which was granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in July.