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

Why the Industrial Accelerator Act is a quiet setback for Europe's steel and competitiveness

Why the Industrial Accelerator Act is a quiet setback for Europe's steel and competitiveness

Without a credible label for low-emissions steel, the EU risks losing out on the economic opportunities on offer as global decarbonisation trends accelerate, writes Responsible Steel CEO Annie Heaton

Annie Heaton, Responsible Steel
clock 21 April 2026 • 4 min read
Defra to push ahead with reforms to environmental permitting rules

Defra to push ahead with reforms to environmental permitting rules

Government claims proposals will streamline process for securing environmental permits for clean technology and infrastructure projects in England, while maintaining nature and public health safeguards

Michael Holder
clock 16 April 2026 • 3 min read
'We'll be less safe': Barack Obama joins chorus of criticism as Trump ditches key US climate ruling

'We'll be less safe': Barack Obama joins chorus of criticism as Trump ditches key US climate ruling

White House moves to reverse 'endangerment ruling' that provides bedrock for federal attempts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions

Michael Holder
clock 13 February 2026 • 4 min read