Legal profession sets unique carbon reduction targets

18 August 2011

A unique collection of law firms in the UK have publicly committed to slashing their Co2 emissions.

The law firms involved have agreed to adopt and pursue challenging emissions reduction targets to drive change in the legal sector.

The LSA carbon targets announcement is unique as it is the first time that any sector has publicly committed to collectively reduce carbon emissions.

LSA Executive members recognise the importance of driving continued improvement, particularly following the UK Government's announcement that the UK is now committed to even tougher national carbon reduction targets.

The implementation of targets has been agreed by the twenty executive members of the Legal Sector Alliance (LSA), an inclusive movement of law firms and organisations committed to working collaboratively to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt environmentally sustainable practices. All LSA members will now be encouraged to commit to carbon targets by signing up to a new LSA principle.

The targets set by the Legal Sector Alliance executive members are intended to deliver a meaningful and progressive reduction in firms' emissions.

LSA members have calculated their organisation's carbon footprint using the LSA Carbon Protocol, a bespoke carbon measurement tool to help law firms easily calculate their footprint. The tool improves transparency, consistency and comparability within the sector. The widespread use of the protocol demonstrates the value and impact of the tools and resources produced by the LSA.

The LSA believes it is essential for firms to measure their carbon footprint, before any efforts to reduce it can be made. The LSA carbon footprint protocol was developed collaboratively by LSA members to help firms reduce their individual footprint and contribute to reducing the collective footprint of the profession. The carbon targets project takes this one step further.

LSA Chairman Sir Nigel Knowles said:

"LSA members have consistently taken a leadership position on climate change and we recognise that by publicly committing to carbon reduction targets we are continuing to drive change and real carbon reduction across the profession. Meeting our climate change obligations will be increasingly challenging but our members recognise the increasing moral and business imperative for doing so."

Law Society President John Wotton said;

"Just a few years ago, the idea that law firms would regularly report on their carbon footprint seemed far-fetched. However, now that climate change is firmly on the business agenda, this kind of data is being demanded by an increasing number of clients as evidence that industry is taking this issue seriously. As an increasing number of our members publicly report their carbon emissions we are able to provide a valuable picture of climate change performance in the legal sector. By measuring and managing their carbon footprints on a regular basis firms can achieve ongoing carbon reduction in the long term. LSA members are making significant energy reductions through behavioural changes and investment in efficient technology - generating quick payback, particularly in relation to improved metering and measurement. Reducing costs from energy use and business travel is a key driver for strategy and behavioural change."

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