Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• People
• Community
• Environment
• Governance and ethics

Environmental Achievements

• 61% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (seven years ahead of the 50% target by 2030)
• 15 of 27 offices in the International LLP utilize 100% renewable energy (87% of office square footage)
• Improved EcoVadis score from Bronze to Silver medal

Social Achievements

• Launched a five-year global partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), providing pro bono legal services and financial support
• Launched new employer brand to attract and retain talent
• Increased female spokespeople representation from 30% to 45%
• Exceeded initial ethnicity target for diverse spokespeople

Governance Achievements

• Launched a new global Ethical Code of Conduct
• Mandatory training provided to all employees on modern slavery
• Modern slavery risk assessment tool implemented for suppliers

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Achieving gender and ethnicity targets for partners
• Reducing Scope 3 emissions
• Addressing persistent challenges in diversity in the legal profession

Mitigation Strategies

• Implementing various programs to support the career development and progression of diverse talent (e.g., Career Sponsorship, European Female Leadership Community)
• Developing a new supply chain emissions strategy
• Continuous monitoring and improvement of D&I initiatives

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Modern slavery risk assessment tool
• Standard contractual clauses prohibiting modern slavery
• Supplier Code of Conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: CDP, EcoVadis, TCFD (first report in next Annual Financial Report), UN Global Compact, Good Business Charter, Business in the Community Responsible Business Tracker

Certifications: ISO 14064-3:2019 (for carbon footprint verification)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Pro bono legal support for individuals and organizations

Awards & Recognition

• International Law Firm of the Year for Pro Bono – TrustLaw Awards 2022
• LexisNexis Pro Bono Award 2023 for Ukraine Advice Project
• Pro Bono Initiative of the Year, Bar Pro Bono Awards 2022 for Ukraine Advice Project
• The Lawyer Pro Bono Awards 2023 awards for DARA and Afghan Pro Bono Initiative
• Wig and Pen Prize for Pro Bono 2022, for Ukraine Advice Project
• LawWorks Pro Bono Award 2022 awards
• FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2023
• Law.com British Legal Awards

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Air Quality
• Waste Management
• Biodiversity
• Noise Pollution
• Water Management
• Social Value
• Modal Shift

Environmental Achievements

• Completed almost 700 track miles of rail electrification in England and Wales (2017-2020)
• Contributed over £9 million to 26 FoaK projects to decarbonise the railway or reduce harmful emissions (since 2019)
• Network Rail achieved world's first railway company to sign up to the most ambitious targets in the United Nations’ Science Based Targets initiative
• Network Rail published an Environmental Sustainability Strategy and a Biodiversity Action Plan

Social Achievements

• £4.5 million investment to establish a network of air quality monitors in stations
• Work with Community Rail Network (CRN) to build understanding of local needs and enable more people to travel by rail

Governance Achievements

• Embedding environmental principles in all operations of Great British Railways
• Statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote rail freight
• National Rail Contracts include environmental reporting and targets for energy consumption and carbon emissions reduction

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Almost 3 megatonnes of CO2e emissions from trains in 2019-20
• Air pollution hotspots at enclosed stations due to diesel train emissions
• Significant amount of waste generated each year by the rail network
• Litter and fly-tipping on the network
• Graffiti on the rail estate
• Railway noise nuisance to lineside neighbours, passengers, and staff

Mitigation Strategies

• Net zero greenhouse gas emissions from trains by 2050; remove all diesel-only trains by 2040
• Electrification of the remaining diesel pockets of the third-rail network
• Exploring hydrogen and battery trains for less intensively used parts of the network
• Comprehensive review of air quality regulations, standards, and guidelines (completed in 2022)
• Setting targets for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 for public access areas of the network by 2022, aiming to meet them by 2030
• Funding research and development of emission-reducing technologies for retrofitting to existing diesel trains
• Reducing unnecessary idling of diesel trains
• Zero waste to landfill by 2025; challenging recycling targets across the railway
• Removing consumable single-use plastics from Network Rail office estate by 2025
• Regular litter clearance programmes; preventative measures such as upgraded fencing and CCTV
• Anti-graffiti measures; preventative measures such as anti-graffiti vinyl film and paints
• Track grinding programme to reduce rolling noise
• Stringent technical specifications for external noise on new trains
• Improvements to Public Address system design to reduce station noise

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• BREEAM rating of at least ‘excellent’ for all new major construction projects

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Increased severe weather events

Opportunities

• Renewable energy generation on the rail estate

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Science Based Targets initiative