Environment, Human Rights and Corporate Governance (ESG)
The transition to a circular economy, stricter requirements relating to social and environmental sustainability, and expanding sustainability reporting obligations can appear complex and overwhelming. This creates a need for adjustments and the establishment of sound compliance and reporting frameworks.
We provide clarity and the ability to deliver. At Arntzen Grette, we apply our knowledge and experience to ensure that your organisation stays ahead of regulatory requirements, whether the objective is full compliance or to make sustainability a genuine competitive advantage.
Rules, expectations and market practices are evolving rapidly. Public procurement increasingly imposes stringent requirements relating to climate, environment and responsible business conduct. Suppliers and customers expect documented sustainability performance, and failure to comply may result in significant costs through lost tenders, terminated partnerships or reputational damage.
We have assisted a number of Norwegian and international companies with, among other things:
- Comprehensive due diligence assessments, supplier monitoring and sustainability reporting under the Transparency Act, CSRD, SFDR, the EU Taxonomy and international standards, including the establishment of robust internal systems, governance structures and continuous improvement processes
- Follow-up of audit findings in global supply chains, assessments against HSE and human rights standards, and implementation of improvement plans, contractual measures and training for suppliers and procurement teams
- Legal risk assessments in one of Norway’s most complex offshore electrification projects, including issues relating to environment, energy, land use, dialogue with Sámi interests and cross-sector regulatory requirements
- Review and amendment of emission permits for waste management and industrial companies, including assessments relating to end-of-waste status, environmental permits and operational, contingency and insurance requirements
- Regulatory assessments within the circular economy, including end-of-waste considerations, cost allocation, product design requirements, recycling and the EU’s new framework for sustainable products
- Development of contractual and governance structures for large-scale sustainability projects and urban development, including role allocation, control mechanisms, financing models and requirements relating to environmental, climate and social sustainability
- Management of environmental and social requirements in public procurement, from qualification criteria and award criteria to contract management, including assessments of how new environmental requirements affect market access
- Strategic handling of information requests under the Transparency Act, the Product Control Act and the Environmental Information Act, including quality assurance of responses and risk management in complex cases
- Assessment of requirements for sustainable industrial development for mineral companies
- Training for boards, management and key personnel in corporate governance, ESG regulation, human rights, risk management, compliance and the practical handling of regulatory requirements within the organisation and its supply chain
- Handling of requirements and development of frameworks and training programmes relating to anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, sanctions and export control
Stricter climate and environmental requirements are changing the rules of the game for businesses. Companies that manage climate-related risk enhance their competitiveness and attract investment. Increased regulation and societal expectations make responsibility and compliance critical to commercial success.
Arntzen Grette offers specialised legal expertise in climate law, environmental liability, circular business models, sustainability reporting and other ESG-related regulation. We assist organisations in meeting regulatory requirements and positioning themselves for the future.
We provide comprehensive legal support across all project phases – from impact assessments and licence applications to zoning plans and construction matters. We have particular experience in integrating environmental requirements into contracts and help clients ensure that projects are both legally robust and commercially viable.
Responsibility for human rights and working conditions has become a key factor for trust, investment and market access. Businesses are required to demonstrate that they identify and manage risks of adverse impact both in their own operations and throughout their supply chains. Authorities, investors and society impose increasingly stringent requirements, anchored in legislation such as the Transparency Act, public procurement regulations, the Working Environment Act and the OECD Guidelines.
Arntzen Grette assists companies in identifying, preventing and managing risks related to social sustainability through comprehensive risk management and targeted control mechanisms. We provide strategic and operational advice covering the full spectrum of due diligence, from establishing robust internal policies and procedures to practical supplier follow-up and reporting.
We assist in developing, strengthening and operationalising contractual provisions that give companies leverage, from audit and access rights to requirements for corrective actions, structured follow-up mechanisms and proportionate sanctions where breaches are identified. Our work also includes training employees responsible for supplier engagement and advising on how requirements and expectations are best embedded contractually. We ensure that companies set clear, understandable and measurable requirements for suppliers, and that these are communicated effectively through training, dialogue and practical guidance.
In connection with whistleblowing cases, investigations, regulatory inspections and investor-driven audits, we assist in assessing findings against relevant HSE standards, working environment legislation and regulatory requirements. We identify necessary contractual and practical measures to mitigate risk, including improvement plans, systematic follow-up, supplier support and – where required – application of contractual sanctions.
Effective corporate governance requires clear structures, well-defined responsibilities and control mechanisms that enable the board to identify and manage risk in line with its supervisory duties. Increasing demands from authorities, investors and other stakeholders make it essential for boards and management to have a clear overview of the organisation’s risk exposure – and the ability to address matters that may affect operations, compliance, reputation and value creation.
We assist in developing and strengthening governance models that are practical, transparent and tailored to the organisation’s needs. Our work includes the drafting and updating of governance documents, assessment of roles and responsibilities, establishment of reporting and control structures, and support in strategic processes where risk management and compliance are key considerations.
We provide ongoing advice on core regulatory requirements, including anti-corruption and integrity risk, anti-money laundering, sanctions and export control, data protection and information security, as well as other sustainability-related obligations. We also assist in assessing findings from investigations and audits, identifying necessary improvement measures and ensuring practical follow-up of issues that may escalate if not addressed at an early stage.
