Sustainability
We share individual and collective responsibility for our environment and the time for action is now.
Philip Shepherd
Sustainability Partner
Responsible Business Board
Acting sustainably, together
Given the urgent nature of the climate crisis, we’ve been working harder than ever to do our part. We’re committed to becoming carbon neutral in our operations by the end of 2023, with work already begun to establish our next phase. We're working towards the adoption of science-based targets on our path to net zero and will share more as our plans develop.
We launched our sustainability strategy in 2021, with a two-stage approach. We embarked on phase one assessing the environmental impact of our emissions and establishing a baseline so we could set reduction targets. Phase two will involve us considering our wider impacts and how we continue our journey to net zero.
We’ve made strong progress this year, and this section of the report highlights some of the successes and key developments we’re proud of.
Our CO2e emissions are 17% lower than our 2019-20 baseline.
Our UK greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage
(1 May to 30 April)
Our total gross emissions for the year ending 30 April 2022 reflects an increase on our previous year; however, compared to our baseline year (the fixed point from where we measure) our emissions have reduced by 16.7%. Energy consumption in the period has been affected by the gradual removal of COVID-19 restrictions and reopening our offices.
In the coming year we’re working to overcome the effects of returning to the office by driving new initiatives across all areas of our firm.
2021-2022
Total gross CO2e based on above (tonnes of CO2e, Scope 1 & 2)
2020-2021
Total gross CO2e based on above (tonnes of CO2e, Scope 1 & 2)
2019-2020
Total gross CO2e based on above (tonnes of CO2e, Scope 1 & 2)
Making travel more sustainable
Air travel created 60-70% of our measured carbon emissions in our baseline year. Over the pandemic it became clear that a lot more can be accomplished virtually. With this in mind, and after engaging with stakeholders and experts, our Executive Board approved the introduction of new sustainable travel guidelines with the goal of reducing travel emissions from 2019/20 levels by 25% per annum. Looking ahead, we will continue to review this target in relation to changes in our headcount.
Our innovative approach presents five principles on which to base decisions and introduces a carbon budget, enabling travellers some autonomy over how and when they travel.
Introducing our sustainable travel principles
Our priority is to reduce air travel, and we're determined to avoid returning to pre-pandemic levels of travel. We can achieve this through applying these five principles to all travel decisions:
Reduction and balance
We must travel less in future, while continuing to support business-critical activities and meet clients' expectations.
Collective accountability
We are all accountable, individually and collectively, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through travel.
Think and act sustainably
When we do travel, decisions should be made in thoughtful and informed ways, supported by clear explanations of options and impacts.
Autonomy within clear guidelines
Some level of oversight and coordination will be necessary, but the emphasis should remain on decentralisation, flexibility and autonomy.
Measuring and monitoring
To meet our net zero goals we will track our carbon emissions reductions and monitor compliance.
Boosting and investing in our Sustainability network
Our Sustainability network was established over a decade ago. Formed of a group of volunteers who are passionate about tackling climate change, the network helps us focus and deliver our sustainability goals. Acting sustainably, together, we're all collectively responsible for tackling climate change and we're lucky to have so many willing individuals helping us chart our way forward.
In April 2022, we’d appointed an additional partner champion and increased membership to just over 75 members. Their unique perspectives help us assess where we can make a positive impact. To further develop ideas, we invested in a programme of one-to-one mentoring workshops held in partnership with Achill Management.
Network members discussed challenges we face in meeting our sustainability targets, with the results factored into our sustainability action plan. We'll continue our workshop approach this year and will engage with our network members on further hosting volunteer days and awareness sessions.
I'm delighted to have joined the Sustainability network, lending my support to our sustainability initiatives. For me, it's about what we stand for. In a world where success is increasingly measured by our impact, it's vital that we make long-term changes to secure a more equitable and sustainable future.
Gabriel Estevez
Partner and Co-chair of the Sustainability network
We're now ISO 50001 certified in London and Liverpool
In March 2022 we were granted ISO 50001 certification by the British Standards Institute (BSI) for efficient energy management in our Liverpool office. BSI carried out an audit, finding best practice in place and seeing a plan of how it'll lead to continual improvement.
ISO 50001 is designed to help organisations improve energy performance through making better use of their energy-intensive assets. We also maintain ISO 14001 to help us meet environmental regulation and reduce our environmental impact. Clients tell us they prefer to work with organisations that are socially responsible and have consideration for the environment.
These independent certifications demonstrate to a wider audience that we have rigorous procedures, which are being used to manage our environmental impact.
Our involvement with the Legal Sustainability Alliance and Net Zero Lawyers Alliance
We are founding members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, the leading sustainability network for law firms and the legal sector, enabling members to address the climate emergency and transition to net zero. We’re also a steering group member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, aligning to their commitments including, but not limited to, reducing our operational emissions. Both alliances have proved invaluable with the resources they have shared, the optimism they create, and the drive to change the legal industry.
Our people at COP26
The 26th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP26) was held in Glasgow between 31 October and 12 November 2021. There were some crucial topics on the agenda, and Sarah Franke, Emma Tait, and David Franklin from our Real Estate team attended in person to hear the latest.
You can read their reflections on the day here.
The effects of climate change on our planet are becoming increasing visible around us and the pressure is very much on our generation to urgently take action to try and reverse (or at the very least slow) the process.
Sarah Franke
Senior Associate
Balancing our carbon footprint
As part of our net zero journey, we embarked on a project to offset our carbon footprint. Guided by the Oxford Principles, we researched the current offset market and reviewed the credits available for purchase. We then selected nine reputable and transparent schemes that meet the gold standard criteria, and put these to a vote to decide on which two we'd invest in. The two chosen initiatives were:
Solar cooking for refugee families in Chad
Since the start of the programme in 2005, 40,000 families in the refugee camps and the surrounding villages in Chad have been equipped with solar cookers. Made of carton and aluminium foil, when folded they can be used to heat water and cook entire meals. Due to the climate, these can be used 330 days of the year, eliminating the need for firewood.
Clean water access for families in Laos
In Laos 86.3% of households were found to have e-coli in their drinking water. This project aims to improve access to safe drinking water, reducing child and adult morbidity and mortality rates.
Through my involvement in our sustainability initiatives, I've seen first-hand the significant progress that's been made to embed environmental sustainability in everything that we do. I'm particularly proud of our carbon neutral and net zero commitments – the climate crisis demands rapid and ambitious action and we're determined to play our part.
Emma Tait
Partner and member of the sustainability board