Net Zero Lawyers Alliance: Our Work

Public International Law

The NZLA is working with UNCITRAL to consider how international trade law can better align with the UNFCCC and the goals of the Paris Agreement. Priority areas include carbon markets, model procurement laws, cross-border insolvency and clean energy projects. It’s first carbon markets project seeks to clarify existing carbon market mechanisms and present how carbon market mechanisms could and should be harmonised.

Fiduciary Duties

This group aims to clarify how the application of fiduciary duties has evolved in the context of climate change. 2025 saw the release of two key reports.

“Transitioning Laws” provides practical guidance for those preparing financial statements, including company directors. The report steps through the key questions to ask, providing case studies and highlighting the benefits of providing a true account of how climate-related laws are affecting the balance sheet, as well as the legal and reputational risks of failing to do so.

The “Sustainable Fiduciary Duty” report steps through the latest scientific and economic research and investment theory, interrogating how they have influenced the fiduciary duties owed by investors and identifying five principles that should underpin climate action today.

The group’s attention is now turning to implementation.

Project Finance

This group aims to deliver legal tools that expedite the development, financing and implementation of projects that support the transition to net zero. Two projects are currently being advanced by the group.

The “Africa Net Zero Toolkit” is a repository of the domestic regulatory frameworks guiding the establishment, approval, and operation of critical mitigation and adaptation investment projects to net zero. By providing easier access to this information, we aim to unlock green investment across the continent.

“Follow the Deal” aims to de-risk and democratise renewable energy and infrastructure projects by simplifying and improving access to legal frameworks and instruments.

Business and Human Rights and Just Transition

This group aims to clarify how legal practices can enhance business respect for human rights. To do this, a key focus is to provide the tools and knowledge that lawyers need to identify and address human rights impacts, navigate conflicts between rights holders in day-to-day legal practice and enable a just transition.

To date, the group has submitted on the EU Omnibus and participated in panel events that build awareness, including one held during London Climate Action Week 2025. The group will continue to explore the development of educational materials based on key instruments, such as the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

01 Commit

The NZLA commitment is the gateway to the alliance.

This commitment broadly consists of:

Setting emissions reduction targets consistent with net zero / limiting warming to 1.5°C

Providing climate-related pro bono services through the NZLA.

Setting targets for capacity building and the provision of net-zero aligned advice.

02 Capacity

Preparing lawyers for the future

The NZLA actively supports efforts to build climate change capability. A range of tools, training sessions and pro bono opportunities are available to members, covering a variety of topics – from climate science to sessions on the intersection of climate change and specific practice areas. A number of resources and events are also available to the public.

03 Convert

Breaking down barriers and unlocking net-zero legal aligned advice

Members participate in NZLA accelerator groups focused on breaking down legal barriers to transition and using the law to create the enabling environment for transition. The formation of accelerator groups involves assessing the proposed subject matter against impact criteria, which include how central the law is to the problem and/or solution.

Accelerator groups include:

NZLA members take on pro bono requests from stakeholders, which often fall under one of the accelerator group focus areas.

"The Net Zero Lawyers Alliance will accelerate the Race to Zero and facilitate systemic change in law and legal practice to help deliver a zero-carbon world in time."

—

Nigel Topping

UN High Level Climate Champion for COP26

"It's fantastic to see the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance bring commercial lawyers into the collective effort to support businesses and financial institutions transition to net zero. Collaboration between lawyers and financial sector members of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero will be an important part of building a financial system for net zero ahead of COP26."

—

Mark Carney

Chair, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance Adviser to the Prime Minister for COP26

“I’ve seen some great announcements... we’ve seen at the climate week the launch of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, and this of course includes the likes of DLA Piper International and Clifford Chance.”

—

The Rt Hon Alok Sharma

MP, COP 26 President

Our work

Legal frameworks, products and services are critical to aligning finance flows with net zero.

01

Commit

02

Capacity

03

Convert

Publications

Infographic: Evolution of fiduciary duties

Infographic: Fiduciary duties in a climate context

COP30 Infographic

Our work

Our commitment

Contact us

Our work

Legal frameworks, products and services are critical to aligning finance flows with net zero.

01

Commit

02

Capacity

03

Convert

Publications

Infographic: Evolution of fiduciary duties

Infographic: Fiduciary duties in a climate context

COP30 Infographic

Our work

Our commitment

Contact us

Legal frameworks, products and services are critical to aligning finance flows with net zero.