Low Carbon | Shepherd and Wedderburn

Low Carbon
Having spent decades supporting the transition of the electricity system to renewables, we are applying the knowledge and experience we have acquired to other sectors that are undergoing decarbonisation, including heat and transport, and supporting the expansion of the low carbon hydrogen and the carbon capture utilisation and storage sectors.

The UK government has set a target of reaching net zero by 2050; the Scottish government is targeting 2045. The electricity transition alone cannot achieve these targets. A collective effort is required, involving the roll-out of decarbonisation in many other sectors and technologies. Our Low Carbon team is focused on supporting these changes.

In the heat sector, our clients include developers, utilities, housebuilders, local authorities, housing associations, universities and manufacturers. We advise on the development of heat generation facilities; the installation, operation and maintenance of heat networks; the connection of residential, commercial and public sector buildings to heat networks; and on heat supply/offtake agreements with customers. To do this, we apply expertise from many different legal teams: construction and projects; real estate; planning and consenting; regulation, procurement and subsidy control; corporate and project finance; and commercial.

In the low carbon hydrogen sector, we have been active for over a decade, having advised BOC Group on the pathfinder Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus demonstration project in 2014. We continue to advise developers and investors on the development of green hydrogen projects, and on hydrogen supply arrangements including take or pay Hydrogen Purchase Agreements. We have also advised on other low carbon projects, including the roll out of EV charging infrastructure, schemes for the decarbonisation of cities (such as street lighting), and carbon capture utilisation and storage.

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Related articles and insights: Low Carbon

6 March 2026

Green hydrogen – if you build it, will the customers come?

Contributor: Susan Swan

Partner Susan Swan discusses some of the biggest challenges facing green hydrogen production and the need for more urgency behind policy decisions.

23 February 2026

Shepherd and Wedderburn to be headline sponsor of the All-Energy exhibition and conference for the twelfth time

Shepherd and Wedderburn will return as headline sponsor of the All-Energy exhibition and conference. The event, now in its 25th year, is essential for everyone in the low-carbon and renewable energy community. Last year over 13,000 people walked through the doors of the SEC to network, share knowledge and explore opportunities – and even more […]

22 October 2025

Joint ventures in the clean energy sector: Transfer conditions

Contributors:
Cameron Kane, John Morrison

In this seventh instalment in our clean energy joint ventures series, we look at the key provisions governing the ability to realise value from a joint venture through an exit.

6 April 2023

Powering Up Britain – UK Government sets out plans for achieving net zero commitments.

A discussion of key points provided in the UK Government’s “Powering Up Britain” Manifesto published on 30 March 2023.

18 August 2021

The green road to electric vehicles – is it time for fewer carrots and more sticks?

Contributor: Susan Swan

The Scottish Government has committed to ensuring that the economic recovery from Covid-19 is a green one. This green recovery will contribute to Scotland’s legally binding targets of a 75% reduction in all greenhouse gases compared with 1990 by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2045.

12 July 2021

Low-carbon heating and the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act

Contributor: Judith Stephenson

District heating and heat networks can play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. How will the Scottish Government's Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 contribute to this?

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