While much of our work is with private sector clients, we are also regularly called upon to advise governments and public bodies, and to help them develop legislation and frameworks which meet the needs of the business community. We take this role very seriously.
In practice
Internal views
In 2007/8, we asked more than 150 people around the firm for their views on how we should be using our influence responsibly. Having collated the results, the next step is to decide how best to invest our time to play a greater role in the shaping of policy and regulation. For example, is it better for our people to sit on the World Economic Forum, or on 80 local economic committees?
External events
In 2007/8, we spoke at more than 20 public and private external events on climate change. These included the City of London’s first conference on carbon, the FT conference on climate change and the banking sector, and side events at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. We also led a government/industry workshop on the UK’s renewables strategy with the Whitehall and Industry Group.
International advice
In India, we work informally with government groups and other interested parties on anti-corruption matters, explaining how it undermines long-term growth and what they can do about it.
The Linklaters Climate Change Seminars
Climate change is clearly one of the major challenges facing governments and businesses today. As an organisation with links to both the commercial and legislative worlds, we believe we are in a good position to bring together big players from the worlds of business and policy-making, helping them to debate the issues and encourage the development of practical solutions.
We ran a series of six climate change seminars in the UK between October 2007 and November 2008, on issues such as the impact of climate change on China, how the 2008 US election could affect the development of environmental policy,the economics of climate change, and the role of technology in finding solutions. Key speakers included the author of the Stern report, Lord Stern; climate change scientist, Professor John Shepherd, FRS; and Lord Browne of Madingley.
In all, more than 500 guests attended the seminars, which received “stand-out” status at the 2008 FT Innovative Lawyer Awards. We are now planning to expand outside London.