Kennedys Law LLP
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019/2020, 2022-05 to 2023-04)
Reporting Period: 2019/2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3)
- Quality Education (SDG 4)
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)
Environmental Achievements
- Partnered with Carbon Intelligence to analyze Scope 3 emissions and develop net-zero roadmap.
- Hong Kong office launched Green Challenge, resulting in significant recycling and waste reduction.
- Reduced printing through digitization and monitoring.
Social Achievements
- Launched a new health and well-being program including Headspace app access, resilience coaching, and virtual classes.
- Established D&I Advisory Groups globally.
- Expanded schools/colleges and universities outreach program.
- Launched a Global Virtual Work Experience Programme accessed by 8,767 people.
Governance Achievements
- Developed pro bono governance with focus on projects aligned to priority SDGs.
- Signed a letter of commitment to align CSR objectives to the UN Global Compact’s 10 Principles.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Aspire to become net zero.
Medium-term Goals:
- Ensure 40% of partners are female by 2030.
- Design and deliver a learning program on sustainable development and global citizenship by end of 2022.
- 35% female partnership by 2025
Short-term Goals:
- Deliver well-being program to all employees by Q1 2022.
- Launch pilot global hybrid working policy by May 2021 with 60% positive feedback by May 2022.
- Embed Global Career Development Framework by end of 2021.
- Review and create more inclusive entry-level and lateral hiring processes by end of 2022.
- Create awareness and train employees on non-discrimination and diversity issues by end of 2022.
- Build and implement policies to support D&I Regional Advisory Group initiatives by March 2022.
- Report on Scopes 1, 2 & 3 emissions and set science-based targets by 2022.
- Develop business processes to track performance in line with science-based targets by December 2022.
- Embed sustainability in procurement processes by April 2022.
- Develop pro bono governance and embed it in the business by 2022.
Environmental Challenges
- Covid-19 pandemic and the need to adapt to protect and support people, clients, and suppliers.
- Measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions across global supply chain.
Mitigation Strategies
- Equipped employees and adapted processes to enable 95% to work from home.
- Established a Covid-19 advice bank.
- Partnered with Carbon Intelligence for carbon reporting and analysis of Scope 3 emissions.
- Developed carbon reduction roadmaps to achieve net zero.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Sustainable procurement policy
- Supplier code of conduct aligned with SDGs
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, UNGC
Certifications: Cyber Essentials Plus
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3
- 4
- 10
- 13
- 16
Kennedys has identified five priority SDGs that are most relevant to our business and we have set specific targets to shape our actions and drive progress.
Awards & Recognition
- Wastewi$e and Energywi$e Certificates (Hong Kong)
Reporting Period: 2022-05 to 2023-04
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:43,912 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:424.0 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:509.0 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:42,978.0 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:23.9%
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)
- Wellbeing
- Supply chain responsibility
- Pro bono
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 54% since 2020 baseline
- Near-term science-based targets approved by SBTi
- 23.9% of offices procuring renewable energy in FY23
Social Achievements
- 34% of global partners are now women (aiming for 40% by 2030)
- Rolled out new workplace wellbeing initiatives
- Paid the real Living Wage in the UK and to all UK-based contractors
- Launched Wellbeing Champions program
Governance Achievements
- Increased capacity to deliver strategic change by appointing Head of Responsible Business and Responsible Business sponsor
- Signed the Mansfield Rule
- Launched Responsible Business Learning Hub
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% by 2030
- Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 28% by 2030
- 40% female partnership by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- Launch Wellbeing Champions programme globally and train 100 Mental Health First Aiders by 2025
- 50% of people to engage with Responsible Business Learning Hub by 2025
- 100% of people to engage in minimum 25 hours of learning by 2025
- Provide career insight and skills development opportunities to 1,500 people by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Significant portion of carbon emissions (75%) associated with purchased goods and services
- Lack of ethnic diversity at all levels, particularly at partnership level
- Gender imbalance at senior levels
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed Sustainable Procurement Roadmap (aiming for completion in 2025)
- Developed UK Race Action Plan (three-year framework)
- Implemented 'Successful Returners' coaching program
- Set ambitious carbon reduction targets and net-zero ambition by 2050
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Sustainable Procurement Roadmap
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Sustainable Procurement Policy
- Supplier Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
Opportunities
- Development of new products and services related to climate change
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, UN Global Compact, SBTi, SDG
Certifications: ISO 14001 (62% of operational sites), EcoVadis Silver
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 3: Good health and well-being
- Goal 4: Quality education
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
- Goal 13: Climate action
- Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
The report details initiatives aligned with these SDGs.
Awards & Recognition
- Platinum rating in Hong Kong Green Performance Pledge Award