CleanTech & ClimateTech

New regulations and commitments are leading more businesses to clean technology and climate technology, commonly referred to as cleantech and climatetech, respectively. Akin has a long history as a leader in advising on cleantech- and climatetech-related investments, policies, technologies, transactions, capital-raising, disputes and investigations.

Our clients include financial institutions, governments, multinational corporations, providers, developers, investment funds, investors, equipment suppliers, project developers and integrators, sponsors and lenders.

Innovative Solutions for Every Stage of the Corporate Life Cycle

We innovate alongside our clients to create global solutions as we advance the energy transition and address climate change concerns, together. Our cleantech and climatetech teams address legal issues while contributing to our clients’ business objectives. Our lawyers stay ahead of the curve by anticipating regulatory, financing and structural developments and trends.

Our clients are in every stage of the corporate life cycle from start-ups and angel investors to established blue chip companies. We assist cleantech and climatetech clients on launching, financing, ongoing operations and on navigating a host legal and regulatory issues.

Wide Range of Legal Services

We harnesses the power of our corporate and finance, energy and infrastructure, and lobbying and public policy practices with the strength of our intellectual property, disputes and investigations, and tax teams to find solutions to our clients’ commercial needs.

Our multidisciplinary cleantech and climate practices comprise partners and advisors offering a wide range of legal services, including as related to:

Learn more about our work in the technology sector.

Spotlight on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is poised to become one of the most sought-after emissions-reducing technologies. The CCUS sector will continue to gather momentum as businesses and governments strive to reduce their carbon footprints and integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability considerations into their operations. An elite, global energy firm, Akin’s CCUS experience spans the spectrum from advising on structural, transactional and tax issues to regulatory and policy considerations.

Learn more about on our CCUS services.

Spotlight on Renewable Energy

The surge in global energy consumption coupled with increasing environmental commitments, among other factors, have been the drivers behind the soaring demand for renewable energy. We consistently represents clients on some of the most significant and complex renewable energy projects.

Our lawyers take an integrated approach and provide cutting-edge solutions across the renewable energy sector. We advise on project finance and development, mergers and acquisitions, tax, real estate, and environmental regulatory counseling and compliance, among many other types of matters, including those involving construction, off-take and other operational issues.

Learn about our extensive experience in renewable energy and the energy transition.

Representative Matters

Transactional and Investment Management

Advised a publicly traded company in connection with several separate acquisitions of land and related leases to utility-scale wind and solar projects valued in excess of $250 million.
Represented CIIG Merger Corp. in the $5.4-billion merger of the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) formed by CIIG Merger Corp with Arrival, a British electric vehicle company, to form a Nasdaq-listed company (ARVL).
Representing a leading oilfield services company focused on low-carbon and carbon-neutral energy technologies in several projects, including its:
- Joint venture to develop a groundbreaking bioenergy with a CCUS project designed to produce carbon negative power and qualify for the section 45Q tax credit.
- Investment and collaboration agreement to deploy nickel-hydrogen battery technology across selected global markets.
- Joint venture agreement to create a geothermal project development company.
Assisted a subsidiary of a publicly traded company in its issuance of $100-million Sustainable Yield Bonds secured by interests in wind and solar lease revenues and maturing in 19 years.
Advised clients on carbon-neutral transactions and other climate-related claims, including on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s Green Guides.
Advised numerous hedge funds on the launching of clean energy/climate change funds.
Represented lenders in a strategic capital partnership to acquire and convert a California-based petroleum refinery to a renewable biodiesel plant.

Lobbying and Public Policy, Regulatory and Compliance, and Disputes and Investigations

Represented a major auto industry company in a negotiation of an agreement with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to sustain year-over-year greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions despite less stringent federal standards.
Advised multiple multinational clients on the development and implementation of their ESG policies, as well as review of ESG and climate change disclosures.
Advised clients on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulations, including the carbon capture and sequestration provisions.
Advised financial institutions on a broad range of issues regarding participation in voluntary and compliance carbon markets in California, Asia, Canada and Europe.
Provided regular counseling on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GHG tailpipe regulations and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fuel economy regulations for heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles (trucks, buses and cars).
Built a coalition of U.S.-based clean technology providers to break down tariff and nontariff barriers to trade, including intellectual property right protections, for the development and deployment of technologies in developing companies.
Represented a major power company being sued by the native village of Kivalina in Alaska for allegedly causing property damage from the emission of greenhouse gases.