Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• People/Workplace
• Community
• Environment
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from office electricity by 14% in the last year and 40% since the start of COVID.
• Reduced paper consumption by 27% in the last year.

Social Achievements

• 90% of firms have a gender equity policy.
• 71% of firms published their gender equality policies.
• 59% of senior promotions were women.
• 93% of firms have a formally endorsed pro bono strategy.
• 83% of firms are signatories to the National Pro Bono Target.
• 83% of firms have programs in place for non-legal volunteering.
• 88% of firms have formal charitable giving programs.
• 88% of firms have a reconciliation strategy or one in preparation.

Governance Achievements

• 93% of firms have a code of conduct addressing ethics, bribery, corruption, fraud, workplace bullying, and sexual harassment.
• 95% of firms have a documented complaints and grievance mechanism.
• 90% of firms have a formal risk management plan.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Increase in greenhouse gas emissions from business travel due to the resumption of travel after COVID restrictions.
• Maintaining momentum on gender equality, particularly in partner positions.
• Addressing the impact of remote work on employee wellbeing.
• Maintaining high levels of pro bono work despite disruptions.
• Ensuring the sustainability of charitable giving programs.
• Maintaining momentum on reconciliation initiatives.

Mitigation Strategies

• Expanding the information collected to include firms' climate action commitments, targets, and action plans.
• Providing additional support and collaboration to help members achieve progress on climate and environmental objectives.
• Developing new resources and tools to support increased commitments and accelerate climate action.
• Promoting the benefits of the AusLSA EMS program to members and their clients.
• Expanding AusLSA’s member reporting and benchmarking tool to record and benchmark more information about climate action.
• Addressing the challenges of remote working through flexible working arrangements, additional carers leave, and support programs.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Sustainable procurement practices are encouraged.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Global Reporting Initiative G4, UN Sustainable Development Goals, Global Compact and Guiding Principles, Australian GHG Protocol and ISO 14064, AA1000 assurance principles