London, 5 December 2008 - Baker & McKenzie, London has advised Earth Capital Partners LLP (ECP) on the establishment of a new business with a specialist focus on environmental investment.

ECP intends to build a funds platform in this sector and will advise on investments in projects, companies and financial instruments which address sustainable development challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and energy security.

Rufus Warner, CEO of Earth Capital Partners said: ''James Burdett and his team at Baker & McKenzie have been invaluable in the launch of our business. We value greatly the expertise they have brought in the establishment of ECP and building the funds platform, as well as their preeminent position in climate change and environmental markets.''

Commenting on the transaction, James Burdett, Head of Baker & McKenzie's London Funds Group, said: "We are delighted to have helped bring ECP to this important stage in its development and look forward to working closely with the ECP team to launch their funds in the coming months."

Martijn Wilder, Head of Baker & McKenzie's Global Climate Change and Emissions Trading practice, added: "The establishment of ECP represents a growing recognition of the importance not only of carbon markets, but the broader environmental markets on a global scale - we look forward to developing further our relationship with ECP in Australia as well as in London. This is another example of our global Climate Change Team assisting our international clients on global transactions,'' he said.

The Baker & McKenzie team included funds Partner James Burdett and associate Chris Gardner, environmental markets Partner Graham Stuart (all in London), and Partner Martijn Wilder in Sydney.