Paulussen Advocaten has broad expertise in the field of energy and climate, which includes a litigation practice in which we act for non-profit organizations and citizens and an advisory practice in which we assist regional governments, businesses in the renewable energy sector and other innovative entrepreneurs with their questions and challenges in the field of the energy transition.
The urgency to prevent dangerous climate change is greater than ever. The latest IPCC report confirms that immediate and deep emission reductions are required to still have a chance to limit the average global temperature increase to 1,5 degrees Celsius, in line with the Paris Agreement.
This challenge requires a transformation of our energy system. The worldwide energy sector is responsible for approximately 70% of total greenhouse gas emissions. This includes energy use in industry, transport and buildings.
Every country and every region has a role to play in this respect, as does the private sector.
Zuid-Limburg and the energy transition
As a business with two locations in Zuid-Limburg, we consider it our duty to help build a healthy and sustainable future for the region.
The National Climate Agreement includes plans for the large scale generation of renewable energy and agreements with various sectors on what they will do to help achieve climate goals, including in the built environment.
The Regional Energy Strategy Zuid-Limburg maps out the possibilities to execute those plans in the region, with respect for the unique landscape and with participation of residents.
The knowledge and experience of our multidisciplinary Energy and Climate team is an excellent fit with the legal challenges of this complex and important task. We have expertise in the field of energy law, competition law, procurement law, construction law, administrative law, environmental law and state aid and elaborate experience in managing large projects in infrastructure, construction and real estate, including permitting, financing and contracting.
We are therefore in an excellent position to provide regional governments and the green energy sector with strategic and legal support in relation to their sustainability challenges.
Public interest litigation against inadequate climate policy
The transition to a sustainable energy system is part of the urgent challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Governments and large polluting companies have a (shared) legal responsibility to prevent dangerous climate change.
Paulussen Advocaten enjoys an international reputation in the field of climate litigation. The team is headed by partner Roger Cox and acts for non-profit organizations and citizens in climate cases against inadequate climate policies.
The team achieved historic and precedent-setting wins in the landmark cases of Urgenda Foundation against the Dutch State, Vzw Klimaatzaak against Belgian federal and regional governments and Friends of the Earth Netherlands against Royal Dutch Shell.
As a result of these victories, Roger Cox was named one of the 100 most influential people of 2021 by TIME.
