Osborne Clarke's James Watson: 'The fundamental direction of travel is net zero'

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 1 min read

VIDEO: James Watson, a partner and head of decarbonisation at international law firm Osborne Clarke in the UK, explores how businesses can keep ahead of the rapidly shifting regulatory landscape underpinning the UK's net zero transition

James Watson is a partner and head of decarbonisation in the UK at Osborne Clarke, an international law firm that supports a vast range of major corporate clients to ensure they are prepared for and complying with the complex regulatory landscape for businesses.

Ahead of the UK Green Business Awards 2025 - for which Osborne Clarke is partner - Watson sat down with BusinessGreen's editor in chief James Murray to explore the ever changing regulatory landscape underpinning clean technologies and the burgeoning green economy, what businesses need to look out to keep ahead of legal risks, and why despite political shifts in the UK, Europe and internationally, the net zero transition is sure to remain the North Star for legislative, corporate and investment strategies going forward.

"While at the minute there is political change – we can't avoid that - the fundamental direction of travel is I think pretty stable, and that is to reach net zero by or around 2050," says Watson.

Their fascinating chat can be watched back in full by pressing play on the video below.

 

Osborne Clarke is a partner of the UK Green Business Awards.

More on Legislation

Smart appliances: Government announces new standards to help slash energy bills

Smart appliances: Government announces new standards to help slash energy bills

New rules mean heat pumps and other electric heating appliances must feature functionality that ensures consumers can access cheaper tariffs

clock 23 April 2025 • 3 min read
Defra seeks reforms to build 'more agile' environmental permitting regime

Defra seeks reforms to build 'more agile' environmental permitting regime

Government launches consultation over proposals to streamline permitting requirements for activities related to waste, water and flood risk

Michael Holder
clock 08 April 2025 • 3 min read
Revised Heat in Buildings Bill to be brought before Scottish Parliament this year

Revised Heat in Buildings Bill to be brought before Scottish Parliament this year

Acting Climate Minister confirms plans to connect more public sector buildings to district heat systems and introduce new target to decarbonise heating systems by 2045

Stuart Stone
clock 04 April 2025 • 5 min read