ESG and Corporate Sustainability

ESG and Corporate Sustainability

Sustainability and ESG regulations concern companies of all sizes – either directly or indirectly.

Sustainability is the true success factor of modern business. It ensures continuity of operations and transcends a company’s strategy, value chains and business practices. The regulatory framework of corporate sustainability is taking shape at a rapid pace, and evolving regulations concern companies of all sizes – either directly or indirectly.

The ESG and corporate sustainability service at Castrén & Snellman is the leading ESG practice among Finnish law firms. Our clients include a wide range of companies from family-owned businesses to listed companies. Our particular focus in ESG advice includes mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, and investigations.

Comprehensive and strategic ESG advisory

We conduct ESG due diligence reviews and provide analysis of the reviewed company’s ESG practices and risk management. We monitor the latest developments in ESG regulation for our clients and provide training in the legal aspects of corporate sustainability that is under continuous change.

As a member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, we are committed to support our clients with extensive legal services they need in their transition to net zero.

We integrate our ESG knowhow across all services in our firm. Our experts can assist you in various areas:

  • ESG, compliance, corporate governance and management liability

  • Supply chain due diligence

  • ESG-related investigations
  • ESG in commercial contracts
  • Sustainable transactions and ESG due diligence
  • Sustainable finance
  • Green and just transition projects
  • Regulation and litigation on green and sustainability claims
  • Environment, Infrastructure & Natural Resources
  • Sustainability-linked competition law analysis and procurement
  • Advice on EU taxonomy

Latest references

Ministry of the Environment – Report on the promotion of circular economy aspects in public procurement
Castrén & Snellman was commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment to carry out a study on how the Circular Economy Act could be used to promote circular economy aspects in public procurement. Our report provides valuable information to the working group tasked with preparing the new Circular Economy Act. The report includes an overview of relevant strategies, action programmes and policies, a look at relevant legislation and case law, an assessment of the current state of circular economy procurement and examples of integrating circular economy aspects into public procurement from around the world. We end the report with concrete conclusions and a proposal for a new circular economy provision with justification. The proposal aims to maximise the regulation’s effectiveness and minimise any adverse side effects. The final report is available on the Circular Economy Act project’s Gateway to Information (in Finnish). The study was carried out by Anna Kuusniemi-Laine, Sanna Aalto-Setälä, Lotta Huhtamäki, Marja Ollila, Laura Vuorinen, Paavo Heinonen and Anna Ylitalo.
Case published 11.11.2025
Merger of Oomi and Lumme Energia
We are acting as the joint legal advisor to Oomi Oy and Lumme Energia Oy in a transaction whereby Lumme Energia will merge with Oomi. As from the completion of the merger, the combined entity will be the largest electricity retail and service company in the Finnish market. In 2024, Oomi reported a turnover of EUR 373.9 million and had approximately 110 employees. Lumme Energia’s turnover for the same year was approximately EUR 314.6 million and it had approximately 50 employees. The transaction is primarily driven by the recent developments in the electricity market and the strategic goal to develop competitive products and services. Another key objective is to further enhance the customer experience, which is a shared value between the two companies. As a result of the merger, Lumme Energia’s customers will transfer to Oomi, and Lumme Energia will become one of Oomi’s shareholders. The completion of the transaction is subject to an approval by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.
Case published 29.8.2025
Nokian Brewery – Listing on First North
We advised Nokian Brewery Plc in its listing on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. Investor demand in the IPO, which consisted of a public and institutional offering, was very strong and the IPO was oversubscribed. Nokian Brewery raised gross proceeds of approximately EUR 10 million from the IPO. In the IPO subscriptions were received from more than 2,900 investors and as a result of IPO the number of shareholders in the company increased to more than 4,700 shareholders. The IPO gives us a strong platform for the next years of growth. We are grateful to investors for their confidence and excited about what we can achieve together. This is the beginning of a new chapter in the Nokian Brewery story.  – Janne Paavola, CEO Trading in Nokian Brewery’s shares began on First North on 3 April 2025 with trading symbol BEER. Nokian Brewery is Finland’s second largest microbrewery and fifth largest brewery in terms of turnover in 2023. Nokian Brewery is particularly known for its Keisari beers. Nokian Panimo manufactures all its products at its production facility in Nokia, and in 2024 its sales volume totalled more than 8.3 million litres and turnover was EUR 11.9 million. Domesticity, responsibility and sustainable practices are at the heart of Nokian Brewery.
Case published 3.4.2025
Huhtamäki – Preparing for EU sustainability legislation
We advised Huhtamäki on the EU sustainability legislation and its impacts on Huhtamäki’s ESG strategy.  Our team focused on compliance with the ESG regulation and the actions required to further Huhtamäki’s ESG targets.
Case published 1.4.2025
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Latest insights

Article published 9.10.2024 – ESG and Corporate Sustainability Responsible communication is a must for listed companies – Financial supervisors around the world have started to tackle greenwashing
Sakari Sedbom
Anna Kuusniemi-Laine

Sakari Sedbom & Anna Kuusniemi-Laine

 Article published 2.10.2024 – Banking & Finance Sustainable finance is vital for achieving the objectives of the green transition
Minna Korhonen

Minna Korhonen

 Article published 24.5.2024 – ESG and Corporate Sustainability The CSDD Directive holds companies accountable for the impacts of their operations
Anna Kuusniemi-Laine

Anna Kuusniemi-Laine

 Article published 14.5.2024 – Banking & Finance The Green Bond label brings predictability, but issuers may have doubts due to the stringent rules
Tero Tuomisto
Valter Olkkonen

Tero Tuomisto & Valter Olkkonen
Insights