Green paper is a term used to describe the documents issued by the Commission for the purpose of initiating a full-scale consultation process on a particular issue at Union level.

The Green Party has published its manifesto for the General Election set to take place on 4 July 2024. The manifesto contains a number of announcements and policies for working people which the Green Party intend to introduce if they are successful in the upcoming election. This news piece contains a summary of the key points.

These Precedent green clauses are for insertion into a long residential lease to require the tenant to operate the property to its maximum energy efficiency and optimal environmental performance standards. These sustainability clauses were produced by The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) as

[means any mode of transport, conventionally motorised or powered by an [Alternative Power Source OR Alternative Fuel], which is classed by the UK Vehicle Certification Agency as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle or a Zero Emissions Vehicle. OR means any mode of transport which is powered by an [Alternative Power Source OR Alternative Fuel] or physical human force such that, when in operation, it produces [minimal OR almost no] Greenhouse Gases]

Introduction The planning systems in England and Wales have become increasingly distinct, both in terms of policy and legislation. Planning is a fully devolved function of the Welsh government. The diversification began in 2000 with the formation of the Welsh Assembly Government (as it was then called). The Government of Wales Act 1998 devolved most planning matters, though it was not until the second devolution referendum in 2011 that the Welsh government was granted primary legislative powers, one result of which was the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (P(W)A 2015), which has increased still further the distinction between Welsh planning law and that of the rest of the UK. P(W)A 2015 introduces a statutory purpose for planning functions and clarifies the requirements to carry out sustainable development under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (WFG(W) 2015). Welsh planning policy since March 2002 has been laid down in Planning policy in Wales (PPW). This overarching policy document is supplemented by a series of detailed Technical advice notes (TANs) and other guidance.

STOP PRESS: A revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework was published on 17 August 2026. This content is being reviewed in light of the revised version. The fundamental aim of green belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. The essential characteristics of green belts are their openness and permanence. Policy National planning policy relating to green belts in England is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was originally published on 27 March 2012 but has since been replaced with revised versions, the latest in December 2024. It requires local planning authorities (LPAs) to draw up green belt boundaries and determine planning applications in accordance with the NPPF's policies on green belts. There is a general presumption against inappropriate development unless very special circumstances can be demonstrated to show that the benefits of the development will outweigh the harm caused to the green belt. The NPPF sets out what would constitute appropriate development in the green belt. This is supplemented by Planning Practice Guidance (PPG)

What does this Practice Note cover? Green bonds are a natural source of financing for issuers who have a financing or refinancing requirement for a green project. An issuer who would use the proceeds to finance projects towards its environmentally friendly programmes (for example, to reduce the carbon footprint or waste from its ordinary business activities) could tap the market and further signal its commitment to sustainability. Green bonds are an attractive proposition to issuers and investors alike with the right balance on the green and commercial aspects. This Practice Note covers: • What are green bonds? • Types of green bonds • Green Bond Principles • Assurance • How green is green? • Market developments, and • Next frontier and trends For latest news and key developments in sustainable finance (including green bonds), see Practice Notes: Sustainable finance—recent news and Sustainable finance and ESG—timeline. What are green bonds? Green bonds are bond issues whereby the proceeds are ring-fenced and exclusively applied to finance or re-finance in part or in full new and/or existing projects

Commercial analysis: Over the past few months, there has been an increase in the environmental claims that have been singled out by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) as breaching advertising rules. These rulings form part of the ASA’s continued attempts to ensure consumers are not being misled by the claims companies are making about their green credentials. Given the proposals to grant the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforcement powers (including levying financial sanctions) for breaches of consumer laws, these rulings will be of particular interest to marketing professionals. Written by Hannah Duke, senior associate, and Jake Christophersen, trainee solicitor, both at Foot Anstey.

Law Society guidance on green leases The Law Society’s Guidance on Green Leases and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards covers what green lease drafting is, what this means for solicitors and their clients, the importance of green leases, their impact on the market and client demand and model green lease clauses that can be used. It covers commercial properties in England and Wales only. The key elements of the guidance are set out below. What is green lease drafting? ‘Green lease drafting’ is drafting that provides for the landlord and the tenant to undertake specific responsibilities and obligations to minimise carbon emissions arising from the sustainable development, operation and occupation of a property. Examples include energy efficiency measures, including obtaining and/or maintaining an energy performance certificate (EPC), data sharing—including, for example, utilities consumption, waste reduction and management and recycling, using sustainable materials for repairs and alterations, water efficiency, measures to comply with statutory environmental standards and/or achieve target certifications (eg Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)) and consideration of wider adverse climate impacts. Green lease provisions can help reduce scope

This Practice Note provides information on green loans and key issues to consider when drafting a green loan agreement. It focuses on the Green Loan Principles (GLP) published by the Loan Market Association (LMA), the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA). The Practice Note: • explains what is meant by a green loan • provides an introduction to the GLP and the related guidance (GLP guidance) • explains what the four components are of a green loan, as set out in the GLP, and summarises its guidance on these four components • summarises guidance contained in the GLP and GLP guidance around what can constitute a green loan, reviews and greenwashing, and • provides information on finding precedent wording, including information on the Loan Market Association draft provisions, and drafting tips What is meant by a green loan? Green loans are described in the GLP as: ‘…Green loans are any type of loan instruments and/or contingent facilities (such

TMT analysis: Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media—green paper and public consultation’ (the ‘Green Paper’) sets out the government’s proposals for the future of audio-visual regulation in the UK. The overriding theme is that the prominence benefit received by public service media providers (PSM providers meaning the BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, 5 and S4C) has diminished, given the significant shift in viewer habits towards online content. The Green Paper’s proposals seek to address this by recommending increased prominence of PSM content on social media platforms (SMPs), video sharing platforms (VSPs) and other services providing TV-like content, and to strengthen trust in news. Written by Sarah MacDonald, partner of Wiggin LLP. The Green Paper discusses the following proposals, the practical implications of which are considered below.

The green supplier agreement terms clause is for insertion into standard supplier agreements and comprise green procurement clauses to make a standard supplier agreement focus on emissions across a value chain. This clause aligns with Paris Agreement