Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• Employee well-being
• Net-zero emissions
• Climate change
• Reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• Modern slavery
• Climate-related disclosures
• Cultural recognition of tangata whenua

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced emissions per person associated with energy use by 15% on average in Australia and New Zealand offices.
• Joined the GreenPower Buyers Group, sourcing a 50% blend of green energy for Brisbane and Perth offices.
• Contributed to the New Zealand Climate Clause Bank.

Social Achievements

• Refreshed parental leave, pregnancy loss, and compassionate leave policies to be inclusive of all parents.
• Introduced a Gender Affirmation Policy and Guidelines.
• Became a silver sponsor for Diverse Women in Law (DWL).
• Launched a fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
• Extended Head Start programme to Wellington, supporting four Pasifika female students.
• 92% of New Zealand firm actively involved in pro bono work, averaging 37 hours per lawyer per year.
• Launched the world’s first international online portal for the pro bono community (Global Pro Bono Hub).

Governance Achievements

• Redefined DEI Committees to increase impact.
• Implemented various initiatives to foster an inclusive workplace (LAW, Iris, Mosaic, Thrive).

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Climate change impact in Australia and New Zealand.
• Energy transition challenges in Australia.
• Climate-related litigation risk.
• Social issues including Reconciliation and workplace conduct.
• Greenwashing risks.
• Modern slavery in supply chains.
• Increasing business travel emissions.

Mitigation Strategies

• Supporting clients in their transition to net zero and establishing robust ESG mechanisms.
• Developing climate litigation mitigation strategies.
• Working on modern slavery reviews and compliance programmes.
• Conducting large-scale sustainable supply chain projects.
• Thoughtful travel approach, carbon credits for flights, and promoting public transport.
• Air purification unit trial in Melbourne.
• Implementing mandatory climate-related reporting.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Strategic procurement within RAP

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Severe weather events

Transition Risks

• Climate-related litigation
• Regulatory changes

Opportunities

• Green energy options (solar, wind, green hydrogen, battery storage)

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Net Zero
• Social Impact
• People
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Ethical Protection and Use of Data
• Professional Integrity
• Sustainable Supply Chain
• Human Rights
• Climate Action
• Societal Impact
• Operational Footprint

Environmental Achievements

• 43% reduction in carbon emissions since 2019
• 99% electricity from green tariffs in the UK (68% internationally)
• 75% of waste diverted from landfill in FY24
• GBP 152,714 of energy savings in FY24 in the UK and Europe

Social Achievements

• 250,000+ pro bono hours contributed globally
• 6,500+ pro bono hours for UNHCR
• 203 young people supported through flagship programmes
• 26% women in partnership (up from 21% in 2021)
• 33% partner promotions were from underrepresented groups
• 70% engagement index score
• Launched ‘Breaking Barriers’ podcast
• Introduced new targeted services and benefits including free access to support for menopause, fertility, pregnancy and early parenthood

Governance Achievements

• Updated Whistleblowing policy and procedure
• 90% of people completed Anti-Bribery and Corruption training
• 85% of people completed Anti-Money Laundering training
• 91% of people completed Privacy and Data Protection training
• Appointed first Chief Data and AI Officer

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Decarbonising supply chain (71% of total emissions in FY24)
• Sourcing renewable electricity in some locations
• Improving waste management practices in some regions
• Improving data collection and reporting on societal impact
• Managing human rights risks in the supply chain
• Improving adherence rates for mandatory training

Mitigation Strategies

• Engaging suppliers to decarbonise
• Developing climate criteria for new suppliers
• Improving data collection around waste, events and water
• Introducing new projects through pro bono strategy
• Refreshing supplier process to manage human rights risks
• Introducing new KPIs to understand socio-economic impact
• Improving training programs and adherence

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Sustainable Procurement Policy
• Supplier Code of Conduct
• Climate criteria for new suppliers
• Human rights criteria for new suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, World Economic Forum Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, SASB Standards, ESRS (partially aligned)

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001 (UK offices)

Third-party Assurance: Accenture (limited verification of GHG emissions), SLR Consulting (limited assurance of non-environmental data)

Awards & Recognition

• No. 1 rating in Impactvise rankings for ESG impact by law firms
• Terra Carta Seal from Sustainable Markets Initiative
• Top 10 private companies in UK for women board representation (FTSE Women Leaders Review)
• 12th in 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index
• Best Social Mobility Strategy Award at targetjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2024
• Joint Employer of the Year by the Australian Workplace Equality Index

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced overall emissions by 43% since 2019
• Reduced business travel emissions by 58% against the 2020 baseline
• Reduced procurement emissions by 42% since 2019
• Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 46% from the 2019 baseline
• 99% of electricity in UK offices sourced from green tariffs
• Achieved 75% waste diversion from landfill

Social Achievements

• Ranked in the top 10 of private companies in the UK for representation of women at board level
• Named joint Employer of the Year by the Australian Workplace Equality Index
• Maintained 12th ranking on the UK Social Mobility Employer Index

Governance Achievements

• Developed a TPT-aligned net zero transition plan
• Integrated sustainability and climate into risk management framework
• Strengthened Supplier Code of Conduct with explicit environmental performance requirements

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Complexities in determining and measuring advised emissions
• Varied waste management practices across different regions
• Limited control over water supply and conservation measures in rented offices
• Challenges in sourcing 100% renewable electricity internationally due to varying approaches and regulations

Mitigation Strategies

• Developing an advised emissions methodology
• Improving data collection and automation for waste management
• Introducing water conservation measures in many offices
• Taking a country-by-country approach to sourcing renewable electricity, working with landlords and suppliers

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 173 top suppliers surveyed (40% of spend), 72 responded (42% response rate)

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct with environmental performance requirements
• Supplier climate engagement plan
• Defined supplier intake climate criteria

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather
• Rising sea levels

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes
• Market shifts

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products and services

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, SASB Standards, WEF Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, TCFD framework, TPT Framework, ESRS (partially aligned)

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001 (UK offices)

Third-party Assurance: SLR Consulting (limited assurance of non-environmental data); Accenture (limited verification of GHG emissions)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Goal 13 (Climate Action)

Initiatives contribute to these goals through decarbonization efforts, renewable energy adoption, and climate advocacy.

Awards & Recognition

• CDP Climate Change Leadership band A-
• EcoVadis score of 70
• Top ranking for environmental category in Lamp House Annual Report 2023
• 5-star rating on Impactvise
• Silver medal on RSGI’s GreenPrint 2023
• Legal Charter 1.5 award for Best Environmental/Sustainability Strategy
• Sustainable Markets Initiative’s 2023 Terra Carta Seal