A report published today reveals that leading firms in the legal
sector have reduced their carbon emissions in the last 12 months by
almost 35,000 tonnes CO2e.
The figure is double the reduction amount achieved in a similar
survey in 2010 and equivalent to the annual emissions of two large
UK law firms.
The Legal Sector Alliance, 'Principles and Practices Survey',
shows that the carbon performance of the LSA Executive members over
the last three years is particularly strong, with an average
reduction in total carbon emissions of 18% over three years. This
is a significant increase from an average of 12% over the previous
three-year reporting period.
The Principles and Practices Survey focuses on the effectiveness
of seven key principles, which guide members of the Legal Sector
Alliance,an inclusive movement of law firms and organisations
committed to working collaboratively to take action on climate
change by reducing their carbon footprint and adopting
environmentally sustainable practices. The member firms strive to
achieve success in both their carbon reduction and adoption of
sustainable business practices. 74% of survey respondents measured
their carbon footprint for the current survey. Of the 37 members
that have previously reported their carbon footprint publically, 30
achieved a reduction in their absolute emissions.
For the first time since its launch in October 2007, the Legal
Sector Alliance, is presenting the results of its annual Principles
and Practices Survey alongside the results of our annual Carbon
Footprint Protocol Report. For the past 3 years the LSA has issued
two separate reports; the Principles report and the Carbon
emissions report. However, this year the Alliance is issuing both
in the same report.
The Carbon emissions report compiles the results for those
members that use the Legal Sector Alliance's own Carbon Footprint
Protocol tool. The firms publicly report their results in a
co-coordinated move, showing evidence of reductions in carbon
output. Reporting in this way offers significant accuracy benefits
when calculating the impact of the collective effort of LSA
members.
The 2012 Principles and Practices Survey continued a pattern of
asking respondents to evaluate the performance of their
organisation over a 12-month period against the six founding Legal
Sector Alliance principles, together with a new, seventh, principle
introduced in 2011.
The initial focus of the principles is on UK activities,
recognising that firms with operations elsewhere are likely to
apply these or similar principles to those operations in a phased
manner. Because of the different sizes and starting points of those
within the sector, each member applies the principles and takes
action in different ways.
The Alliance has grown considerably as a membership body since
the last report, which was published in 2010. It now boasts 241
members, which includes over a third of solicitors in private
practice in England and Wales.
Desmond Hudson, Law Society Chief Executive, said: 'The legal
sector plays an important role in influencing clients employees,
suppliers, clients and policy makers alike. The set of principles,
which cover members' own operations, as well as their wider
influence on third parties is crucial to this role. We are
delighted by the steady rise in the percentage of members
interacting with clients on climate change and sustainability over
the last three years. 61% advised clients on their opportunities
and obligations, 49% proactively communicated with clients on
environment and climate change issues, and 41% provided training to
clients.'
Sir Nigel Knowles, Chairman of the Legal Sector Alliance, said:
'In joining the Legal Sector Alliance, law firms make a commitment
to take action on climate change. Understanding the impact we are
having isn't just important, it is our purpose. Telling each other
what we are doing - the challenges we face and the ways in
which we are overcoming them - is how we deliver the success
we set out to achieve.'
Ends
Notes to Editors:
The 2012 survey results are derived from the responses of 63
members that completed the survey, which represents 27% of the
total Legal Sector Alliance membership.
Using online self-assessment, questions were grouped under the
seven Legal Sector Alliance principles, with a focus on asking
members to:
Report progress made in the 12 months to 1 January
2012.
Report target setting and planned initiatives for the
coming 12 months.
The 2012 survey benefits from three years of data to compare,
which has been included in the tables provided throughout this
section.
Contact: Catherine Reed, The Law Society
+44 (0)20 7320 5902
For more information about the Legal Sector Alliance go to: www.legalsectoralliance.com