Matthew Burnell’s is a local partner in the Firm’s practice focuses on law associated with Environment, Social and Governance issues. He has advised and assisted clients in various sectors including banking, mining, oil and gas, energy, power and electricity, agriculture and infrastructure. 

Matthew’s practice covers all components of environmental and climate change law. He has acted for and advised clients: 2

• In administrative appeals and judicial review applications;
• In complex M&A transactions regarding the transferring of permits, the management and transfer of pollution and contamination liabilities and associated due diligences;

• In project finance transactions regarding the compliance requirements under the Equator Principles in the relevant financing agreements and project agreements;

• On Environment, Social and Governance matters, including the development of risk management tools related to ESG risks, the disclosure of information and sustainability reporting;

• On director, shareholder, lender and operator liability arising from environmental and climate change impacts;

• On investigations by enforcement officers and administrative compliance notices;
• On developing public participation frameworks; and
• Agreements governing carbon trading and essential service provision such as water and electricity supply. Matthew holds an LLB, LLMU and PhD from the University of Cape Town and has completed

Corporate Sustainability at New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business