International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has joined Hydrogen South West (HSW), a partnership of leading businesses and innovators driving the development of hydrogen infrastructure across the region.

Formed in 2022, HSW aims to decarbonise transport, commerce, and power, while driving sustainable growth, upskilling the region, and delivering new job opportunities.

Focusing on key sectors such as shipping, aviation and housing as well as industry, the consortium comprises leading companies easyJetAirbus and Hynamics (EDF); industrial heavyweights GKN Aerospace; consultants and engineers Costain and WSP; and regional leaders Bristol PortBristol Airport, and Wales and West Utilities.

The collaboration creates links between supply and demand centres in the region and enables cross-sector partnerships that will drive the development of hydrogen infrastructure and technology.

Jonathan Bower, WBD Partner Sponsor for Net Zero and Head of the firm's Planning and Infrastructure team, commented:

"Joining Hydrogen South West provides Womble Bond Dickinson with the opportunity to work alongside world-class organisations leading the research and development in the fast-growing hydrogen space.

As a firm leading the way on green change and advising a wide range of clients on the delivery of clean and innovative energy projects in the UK and across the globe, we look forward to contributing our experience and skills which will help deliver vital development of hydrogen infrastructure in the region, building on the huge progress already made.”

WBD has been advising in respect of both of the UK's Track 1 clusters (Hynet NW and the East Coast Cluster). The firm is also a member of the Scottish Cluster and the Solent Cluster and has been working with stakeholders on a range of hydrogen projects in the UK ranging from a major multi-million-pound hydrogen joint venture to UK-wide green hydrogen hubs.

Carbon reduction is a key pillar in WBD’s ESG strategy with firmwide endeavours to reduce emissions and lead action on a sustainable transition in the industry. The firm, which was amongst the first in the UK legal profession to announce its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2030, procures renewable energy in four of its eight UK offices, with nearly 80% of the electricity used coming from renewable sources.

A founding and executive member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, WBD received a gold rating from EcoVadis, the world’s largest provider of business sustainability ratings, and recently was included in the inaugural Legal 500 Green Guide as one of the top law firms leading the way on climate change.

Hydrogen South West