This is the next step in a series of progressive actions the firm has taken including the pursuit of year-on-year energy reductions and efficiency gains, the adoption of carbon-free energy sources and investment in accredited carbon offsetting for residual emissions as a last resort.
As founding members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, Burges Salmon has been championing environmental improvements across the firm and in the legal sector for many years. This has included disclosure of its carbon footprint since 2007 of all direct emissions and business travel and ISO accreditation to the Environment Standard since 2013.
Earlier in the year, the firm announced a new investment in an offset for residual carbon emissions through its support of a rewilding and carbon-offsetting project in Scotland, with Trees for Life, accredited to the UK Woodland Carbon Code. In addition, to celebrate the firm being named UK Law Firm of the Year 2020, the firm has planted a tree for each one of its employees at the firm, to support the work of the Forest of Avon Trust in Bristol and further support Trees for Life in Scotland.
Suzanne Padmore, Partner and Chair of the firm’s Environment Committee says: “We have agreed 2026 for our target as this will allow us time to pursue Science Based Targets which will enable us to assess inclusion of all significant emissions, particularly further indirect emissions, and will mean our targeted reductions will support the UK’s transition to a net zero economy.
“We believe committing to Net Zero is an important decision for the environment, our people and our clients. We will continue to advocate for positive action and value collaboration. We are pleased to have joined the One Planet Pledge and become members of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership Climate Leaders Group. This is in addition to our on-going support of the Legal Sustainability Alliance and participation in the Chancery Lane Project.”
Burges Salmon is a well-respected leader for legal advice in environmental and low carbon projects and has established a Net Zero Services Team to assist its clients in driving decarbonisation in the key sectors of energy, transport, the built environment and land use and food production.
Ross Fairley, Partner and Chair of Net Zero Services, adds: “I’m delighted that we’re now making our own position on Net Zero public. It’s important in determining a pathway forward and to demonstrate to our Clients that we take our approach as seriously as theirs.”
Notes:
(1)
In 2019, Burges Salmon reduced its annual carbon footprint by 49%, mostly attributable to the switch to renewable electricity in its Bristol office.
(2)
The firm joined the Renewable Energy Initiative in 2019, committing to switching to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. It now uses 99% renewable electricity.
(3)
In its carbon footprint, the firm currently accounts for all direct emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 and business travel in Scope 3.