The firm was handed the gong recently as the service provider which has done the most in the past 12 months to advance its clients’ knowledge and preparedness for the arrival of emissions trading in January 2005.

Oil & Gas IQ presented Baker & McKenzie with the award and noted that it was the first law firm to recognise the importance of the emerging international and domestic legal frameworks being developed in response to climate change issues.

“Baker & McKenzie has worked especially hard to become the leading law firm in the greenhouse gas emissions marketplace,” said the company.

“Its cooperation and participation in so many associations, working groups, and inter-governmental conferences — as well as the role it has played as a driving force in developing the carbon strategies of companies and governments throughout Europe — has led to Baker & McKenzie being awarded this accolade,” said Oil & Gas IQ.

Accepting the award in Brussels, senior associate Anthony Hobley said the firm was delighted to accept the award, which acknowledged the work of the global climate change, clean energy, and emissions trading group.

“We look forward to working with our clients over the course of this critical year for the implementation of the EU ETS … We aim to ensure that our clients are well placed to manage both the risks and opportunities presented by what will be the world’s largest Emissions Trading Scheme,” he said.