Climate Change & Business Preparedness

Climate change is the most complex multi-generational challenge of the 21st century. Legislators, policy-makers, the business community, and civic leaders are planning and preparing for climate change, even in the absence of a consensus on long-term impacts. Whether concerns revolve around sea level rise or acute localized weather events, the global economy is set to witness increased disruption and uncertainty.

In Florida and beyond, Bilzin Sumberg stands at the forefront of understanding the closely intertwined legal and business issues impacted by climate change-related developments. The firm's Resilience & Sustainability Team serves as trusted, strategic counsel to developers, owners, investors, government entities, public and private companies, and other entities in navigating the intricate web of relevant laws and regulations. In addition, Bilzin Sumberg's Resilience & Sustainability Team advises clients on risk mitigation and potential business growth opportunities surrounding resiliency and sustainability. These challenges and opportunities run the gambit from impacted global supply chains to vulnerable real estate developments and assets, from crafting specialized Request for Proposals (RFPs) for resilient infrastructure to compliance with existing and forthcoming legislation and regulations at local, state, and federal levels.

Bilzin Sumberg's robust cross-practice collaboration model means that clients get comprehensive advice and representation on any matter related to climate change, bringing in legal counsel from the Environmental, Land Development & Government Relations, Real Estate, Public-Private Partnerships, Construction, Corporate, and Litigation teams.

Blog | September 2022

Miami-Dade County Continues to Advance Climate Action Strategy in 2022

In December 2021, Miami-Dade County released the final version of its Climate Action Strategy. The final plan hopes to improve climate resiliency and decrease emissions by 50% by 2030 by focusing on three key areas: Energy and Buildings, Land Use and Transportation, and Water and Waste. This post serves as an update to describe the current projects and initiatives put in place as a result of the finalized Climate Action Strategy.

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Publication | June 2022

SEC's Proposed Rule Changes Seek to Curb Greenwashing

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently proposed two new rule changes which would increase disclosure requirements and regulate misleading or deceptive claims by U.S. investment funds relating to their Environmental, Social, & Governance credentials (commonly referred to as “greenwashing”). These proposals come as greenwashing has become a problem of increasing social prominence over the last few years, prompting the SEC to investigate how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-related information and disclosures are treated and regulated. As companies and funds seek to capitalize on the emerging trend of ESG investment, the SEC has likewise been augmenting its scrutiny.

Publication | March 2022

Septic to Sewer: Miami-Dade County Continues to Lead Resilience Projects Aimed at Curbing Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Improving Communities

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently launched Connect 2 Protect, a multi-year initiative which aims to convert over 100,000 properties from septic systems to the County’s sewer system. Part of the County’s Climate Action Strategy, the roughly $4 billion effort reaffirms the County’s commitment to providing practical solutions to the growing list of issues posed by rising sea levels. Read to learn what Connect 2 Protect entails and which neighborhoods will be prioritized by the program.