Best practice and innovation in proactive environmental strategy and performance were sought for this award. The judges looked for original ideas and significant outcomes from environmental initiatives such as carbon management, energy efficiency and sustainable procurement.
Olswang has developed a leading-edge and comprehensive, environmental and climate change strategy, and has achieved significant reductions in key impact areas such as energy use and travel as a result. Olswang's strategy engages the firm as a whole and also encompasses relationships with key stakeholders as well as valuable environmental pro bono work.
Lanyon Bowdler's environmental strategy is an excellent model for smaller firms, demonstrating significant impact without the resource of larger organisations. The firm focuses on key issues and drives change through robust oversight, performance management and employee engagement.
Simmons & Simmons leading involvement in a unique climate change advisory initiative leverages the firm’s legal expertise to significant effect. Simmons & Simmons demonstrates the value and importance of the law in forwarding a global response to climate change.
Clifford Chance recognises that carbon management and energy efficiency are important issues and resources were made available to tackle them. A defined governance and management framework, awareness and a stakeholders involvement strategy have enabled reductions to be achieved through implementation of specific projects.
In August 2008 Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer began a two-year project to reduce the carbon impact of its London offices by 10 per cent. Employing an energy manager and targeting lighting, IT and aircon, the firm reduced its carbon footprint by 1,436 tonnes of CO2e in two years, cutting electricity consumption by 2.6 million kilowatts.
Wragge & Co take an environmentally responsible approach at each stage of the supply chain – from engaging suppliers in its CR agenda and working collaboratively to maximise the benefits, through encouraging more eco-friendly working practices amongst staff, to following the paper trail to understand the impact of recycling efforts.