B&D Guides Copalli Rum on Launching Industry-Leading Carbon-Negative Spirit
B&D client Copalli Rum, an environmentally-focused rum producer based in southern Belize, recently launched a carbon-negative rum, marking a major milestone in environmentally responsible distilling.
Under the leadership of Boston Office Managing Principal Brook Detterman, B&D served as lead counsel on this multi-faceted project, providing legal and strategic guidance on sustainability efforts, environmental claims, and green marketing compliance.
B&D began advising Copalli in early 2023. While Copalli has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability since its inception, the company sought to establish and document its successful environmental outcomes, backed by sound science and legal due diligence.
Over the course of a three-year engagement, B&D provided comprehensive counsel, including support on:
- General ESG matters.
- A multi-year carbon lifecycle analysis.
- Vendor oversight and contracting.
- Third-party verification.
- Assessing and advising on certain key marketing materials and international regulatory frameworks governing green marketing claims.
Senior Associate Astrika Adams and Associates Deepti Gage and Ryan Andrée contributed to this matter, with Deepti playing a central role in managing key aspects of the project since 2023.
B&D’s Climate Change & Carbon Markets, Transactions, and ESG practices advise clients on cutting-edge climate change and emissions trading matters at the state, national, and international level. This work draws on our experience in domestic and international environmental regulatory compliance, as well as in commercial, financial, and land use projects and transactions. We advise on all aspects of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and removal projects, including: program design; registry evaluation; methodology development; alignment with US and international standards; project development; credit issuance; marketing, reporting, and sales compliance; and carbon credit transactions. We also have direct experience with both CCS project development and power purchase agreements (PPAs) and other offtake agreements.
