Sustainability/ESG

It has never been more important to work towards a sustainable future. That is why Vinge's ESG advice is an integral part of what we offer as a full-service commercial law firm. We focus on the key elements of a company's responsibility in terms of sustainability. Working preventively to identify risks and new opportunities for business and growth, we help build the foundations to increase your company's long-term value and ultimately a better society.

We offer legal support in areas such as strategic policy, compliance programmes, due diligence, sustainability reporting, internal investigations and the handling of irregularities.

Together we can make a difference. It’s better that way.

For everyone.

Take advantage of new growth opportunities

Complex ESG regulations are emerging and carry legal, commercial and reputational risks. We help our clients to prioritise the right business solutions. Making a difference and being commercially driven at the same time are not mutually exclusive when new opportunities arise.

Companies working on ESG issues often become more attractive on the market. At the same time, there are increasing external expectations to report measurable sustainability results. For this reason, ESG work is a key issue for the management board, and something we consider to be a natural generator of value within Vinge’s range of services. Navigated properly, we work with you to consolidate your position while doing the right thing for our shared life on this earth.

The term ESG stands for Environmental (E), Social (S) and Governance (G) and is a way of analysing companies from a non-financial perspective.* This means analysing a company's environmental impact (E), its responsibility to its employees and wider society (S), and how well it is governed, which is crucial for sustainability over time (G).

* Examples of areas of analysis:

Environmental

Carbon footprint, emissions, water consumption, waste, impact on biodiversity

Social

Employment terms, working conditions, supplier relations, customer relations, charitable activities, community involvement

Governance

Composition of the management board, distribution of management positions including gender distribution and diversity, prevention of bribery and corruption, internal controls, shareholder rights, avoidance of conflicts of interest in the management board

 

Sound commercial law advice in the ESG landscape

Vinge’s ESG specialists are ranked at the top by international ranking agencies and in client surveys. They have extensive experience of navigating ESG and sustainability issues, taking advantage of opportunities while maximising your long-term financial stability and growth.

We put together a team for you based on your current needs. We identify the necessary issues to be investigated and measures to be taken. With an understanding of your business and how external factors may influence its circumstances, we keep ahead of the most complex legal details, and serve as a constant partner in your business. We remain alert, consider ongoing investigations and help you to form an opinion before legislation is passed.

Long-term sustainability is an integral part of being a full-service firm, giving you access to ESG-related advice in the following areas of expertise:

Corporate Crime & Compliance

As there are increasing requirements on companies to identify, prevent and manage direct and indirect risks associated with business activities and relationships, we provide support and analysis from an ESG perspective. This will strengthen your ability to prevent, discover and react to corruption and other irregularities – both in Sweden and in international business. We also evaluate, design and assist with the implementation of compliance programmes (e.g. in relation to the UN Global Compact, Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the UN Convention against Corruption, Agenda 2030 and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises) and create effective frameworks to promote good corporate governance. We support you in running a business that contributes to the upholding of human and international employment rights. An important part of our work consists of identifying and managing risks associated with transactions and other types of investments. In addition, we work on issues related to whistle blowing, internal investigations and many other issues that will leave you well-equipped to manage the risks specific to your business.

The team, which includes members with backgrounds from the Swedish Financial Intelligence Unit, the National Corruption Unit of the Swedish Police and the UN Internal Investigation Service, works in a cross-functional way on all matters within Vinge's ESG services. Since prevention is often the best policy, we offer tailor-made compliance programmes and training packages.

Read more about Corporate Crime & Compliance

International Trade

Successful international trade requires a global approach based on an extensive understanding of the ever-changing legal, commercial and political factors the tangled web of laws and regulations governing international trade. We offer assistance with purchase agreements, logistics and transport contracts, and issues related to import and export, tax and customs, litigation, IP, insurance and competition. By involving us in the early stages of a trading relationship, you can focus on the business itself and compete at the top of established and emerging markets, safe in the knowledge that we are helping you identify and minimise risks.

You have access to Vinge's full range of expertise and international network, and we also offer advice on related issues that need to be considered in connection with corporate compliance.

Read more about International Trade

Environmental Law

Our environmental law advice ranges from permit processes to regulatory and remediation matters. We help identify existing and potential challenges, and we present solutions and assist in contacts with public authorities, county councils, municipalities, government agencies and the public, as well as in court proceedings. Our advice includes helping you deal with issues arising in the operation of environmentally hazardous activities and water-related activities. For example, we examine who is responsible for repairing damage to the environment.

Read more about Environmental Law

Employment Law

People, and how they are treated within the company, are at the heart of eThat is why we can provide you with strategic advice and solutions regarding contractual issues that may arise in the context of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and pension and incentive structures. We help you understand the regulatory environment you are in, and the obligations you have as an employer in order to meet your ESG goals effectively. For example, if you run a multinational business, we can advise you on establishing a European Works Council and in cross-border acquisitions.

Read more about Employment Law

Banking and Finance

Sustainable investments should be ethically aligned with the principles of modern corporate governance and risk management, while at the same time economically justified in terms of value creation. The capital market is increasingly moving in this direction. Investment mandates, processes, reporting and many more aspects need to be examined. However, identifying the key ESG factors is not always easy. We offer advice on all forms of financial transactions, debt and capital market financing, derivatives and restructuring.

Read more about Banking and Finance

Company Law, Contract Law, M&A and Stock Market Law

Raising capital, public and private mergers and acquisitions, or IPOs, for example, all require close consideration of ESG-related aspects of corporate law and other issues. You may need assistance to deal with corporate governance issues, risk management and complex structural projects such as joint ventures, restructuring and incorporation.

 

Read more about:

Company Law

Corporate Commercial

Capital Markets and Public M&A

M&A

 

EU and Competition Law

Legislation within the ESG arena requires forward-looking expertise in EU law and international trade law in order to ensure that mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures are handled properly. We draft and review contracts as well as business strategies from a sustainability perspective.

We assist you in matters such as state aid, public procurement, transaction and litigation issues. We regularly represent clients before the relevant authorities and administrative courts. Our comprehensive industry experience in regulatory matters relating to telecommunications, energy, transport and media means that we are especially well suited to represent clients affected by market and sector regulation.

Read more about EU and Competition Law

Increase and protect your sustainable growth

Governments, regulators and institutional investors are continuing to push sustainability towards the top of the agenda. Market, social, economic and political changes are accelerating the challenges to ESG and sustainability. Climate change is increasingly seen as a risk to financial stability. As a result, companies are faced with a changing reporting and regulatory environment that differs significantly across jurisdictions and industries.

By building an accountable sustainability culture, companies, investors, decision-makers and other stakeholders will be better equipped to face the complex legal, strategic, financial and operational changes and to take advantage of sustainability opportunities. Vinge will help you to increase and protect your sustainable growth, so that we can work towards improving the world together, one crucial step at a time.