Embracing sustainability

Sustainability has become a pressing issue in various industries, including the legal sector. Law firms are increasingly recognising the importance of incorporating environmental responsibility into their operations and ESG policies have become a key aspect of bids across the profession.

The shift towards sustainability therefore presents an opportunity for firms to enhance their reputation and attract clients who prioritize sustainability. Embracing sustainability goes beyond reducing a firm's carbon footprint though. It also involves promoting a healthy work-life balance for employees and addressing social challenges such as diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What environmental challenges does the legal profession face?

In many way, the legal profession faces the same challenges that other professions face when it comes to considering the environment. It would take a great deal of time to try and trawl through all of the possible issues, so instead, it might be useful to break these down into two broader categories – consumption and emission or generation.

Consumption in this context covers all issues where a resource is being used up in the course of business. Energy consumption would be a key one because many offices rely heavily on fossil fuel energy to power lighting, air conditioning, and heating systems. However, water consumption is also a factor in some jurisdictions within warmer climates because large offices will add strain to the available water resources.

Emission and generation both focus on the by-products of usage issues. Travel presents a key challenge here for multi-jurisdictional firms because the interactions between clients and professionals can contribute to each party’s Scope 3 Emissions. In addition to this, waste generation is another significant aspect of this category. Traditionally, the legal profession has been very reliant on paper files and documents, and like other professional sectors, it has enjoyed the use of single-use plastics in various forms.

What social challenges does the legal profession face?

As mentioned above, sustainability encompasses more than just environmental factors. It also accounts for social aspects and these issues are just as important for firms to tackle in order to promote sustainability within their culture.

Diversity and inclusion is a key area of focus in relation to social challenges. According to the SRA, 18% of lawyers across all UK firms are from BAME backgrounds and 5% identify as having a disability (compared to a 14% workforce average). The focus doesn’t have to be on simply increasing percentages like these, rather it should be on providing opportunities to those who may not otherwise have been afforded them by virtue of their background.

Social challenges aren’t simply limited to removing barriers to entry for the legal profession. It is equally important for firms to look after their own staff: this means ensuring that staff can build a healthy work-life balance. This will mean different things to different people and developing policies that a fair for all parties is crucial to achieving this goal. Without a proper work-life balance, employee well-being will be negatively impacted which can lead to high levels of stress, burnout and mental health issues within the workplace.

Conclusion

Law firms have a unique opportunity to drive sustainability in the legal industry and contribute to a greener future. By adopting sustainable practices, integrating ESG considerations, and advocating for sustainable policies, law firms can enhance their reputation, attract green-conscious clients, and make a positive impact on the environment. Embracing sustainability is not only an ethical choice but also a strategic decision that can lead to long-term success in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.

The video at the top of this article is part one of a three-part mini-series that you can find on our LinkedIn. The following two parts will be released next week, so if you’re not following us, head over to our page to see the rest of our interview with Amelia as it gets released!