ESG & Impact Knowledge Library

The UK's Walker Guidelines for Disclosure and Transparency in Private Equity (the "Guidelines") have been updated, and a feedback statement was published by the BVCA on 18 December 2024. 

A regular briefing for the alternative asset management industry. 

In this edition, we focus on the infrastructure implications of the new Labour Government's first Budget, including for energy, vehicles, telecoms, housing and major projects.  We also look at new initiatives affecting the UK water industry and UK infrastructure investment more generally.  Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any of the issues discussed below.

At the time of our last COP29 update, we were still waiting to hear what the outcomes would be from several key discussion areas, including negotiations relating to the headline climate finance deal. Although it is relatively normal for COPs to overrun, it was not until the Sunday after the official closing that a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance ("NCQG") was finally unveiled – highlighting the intensity of last-minute discussions and the difficulty in reaching a climate finance figure that would be acceptable to different parties.

COP29 got underway last week, representing another important event in the global fight against climate change. While it appears that some progress has been made in Baku, including early agreement over standards for a global carbon market, there have also been reports of general dissatisfaction with the pace of decision making – particularly in relation to the set piece negotiations surrounding the 'New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance' ("NCQG"), which is due to be agreed at COP29 (but currently remains elusive).

A regular briefing for the alternative asset management industry. 

Earlier this year, the World Uyghur Congress was successful in its appeal in a case which centered on concerns about the importation of cotton products to the UK from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region ("XUAR") in the People’s Republic of China¹. In this article we will explore the important legal and practical ramifications of this decision, in light of more recent allegations against large multinational entities for failing to prevent slavery and human trafficking abuses in their supply chains. We will also examine the impacts this decision may have in other areas from a Proceeds of Crime ("POCA") perspective, along with practical steps organisations can take to manage supply chain risk.