Competition Outline

Clifford Chance Intelligent Aid is a competition with a difference. It addresses real issues and invites you to showcase some of the fundamental skills you’ll need to become a successful lawyer. The prizes are pretty exceptional too.

Launched in 2010, Intelligent Aid challenges you to engage with and address a particular topic. In 2010 it was Microfinance, an area in which Clifford Chance has been a pioneering force. In 2011, the Trade or Aid topic was inspired by the work of the firm’s market- leading Africa Group. The topic for 2012 is Renewable Energy, an area within which Clifford Chance is a market leader.

The Topic: Renewable Energy

The United Nations estimates that renewable energy could account for as much as 77% of the world's energy demand by 2050 – up from just 13% of the total primary energy supply in 2008.

Clifford Chance is a leading player in the climate change and wider renewable market. Named best Law Firm in Renewable Energy, Europe 2011 in Environmental Finance's 12th Annual Market Survey, Clifford Chance is also the only law firm in the UK that is listed by Chambers UK as a top-tier firm for climate change around the world. The Firm has an excellent reputation in the sector- which covers biofuels, biomass, carbon, solar, onshore and offshore wind and hydropower, and Clifford Chance has been advising clients for over 10 years in this sector at both a local and international level. For example, we provide the US government with guaranties for all the renewable projects that it undertakes across the US. As part of this work we advised the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office as 80% guarantor for a USD$1.3 billion loan to help finance the construction of what will be the world's largest wind farm.

The Competition Question

“What do you think are the most successful ways in which Governments can ensure emission reduction targets are achieved?"

You have 250 words in total with which to formulate your answer.

The competition is open to students in all years of study (including post graduate students) at universities in the UK.

You can submit your answer to this question between 15th November and 7th December 2012.

Deadline for entrants: 7th December 2012

The top 40 entries will be invited to the Intelligent Aid Final Day on 11th January 2013, where they will work as teams on a case study relating to Renewable Energy, which will be judged by a panel of partners and external experts.

Finalists will be notified by 21st December 2012.