Climate Change Data

Burges Salmon LLP

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022-05 to 2023-04, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2022-05 to 2023-04

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:7,302 tCO2e/year (Scope 1,2 & 3)
Scope 1 Emissions:221 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:519 tCO2e/year (location-based), 0 tCO2e/year (market-based)
Scope 3 Emissions:7,304 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:100% (office electricity)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Wellbeing and engagement
  • Inclusive workplace
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Fair employment
  • Collaboration and innovation

Environmental Achievements

  • Achieved 100% renewable energy tariffs at all offices (2020)
  • Science-Based Targets approved to support journey to Net Zero (2022)
  • Total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reduced by 13% since 2019 baseline

Social Achievements

  • Achieved Investors in People Platinum (2021)
  • Ranked in top 5% of businesses globally in EcoVadis ESG assessment (2020)
  • Recognised by The Times as a Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality for the third year running (2023)
  • Marked 10 years of Bright Sparks work experience programme (2023)
  • Launched Enabled Candidates Scheme employment programme (2023)
  • Voted RollonFriday ‘Best Law Firm to Work At 2023’ (2023)
  • Achieved Disability Confident Leader government accredited status (2023)

Governance Achievements

  • Became signatories to the UN Global Compact (2019)
  • First cohort of legal and business professional apprentices qualified (2023)
  • Recognised as Overall Leader 2023 in the Lamp House Strategy Responsible Business Annual Report (2023)

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve Net Zero by 2026 (Scope 1, 2 & 3 Business Travel)
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030
  • Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030
  • Achieve at least 33% female partners by 2026
Short-term Goals:
  • Roll out Wellbeing Action Plans to line managers (2024)
  • Increase recycling rates (2024)

Environmental Challenges

  • Reducing Scope 3 emissions (96% of overall carbon footprint)
  • Increasing waste reuse/recycling rate (target 80%, current 60%)
  • Achieving gender parity in partnership (current 24% female partners)
  • Meeting Science-Based Targets for emissions reduction
Mitigation Strategies
  • Collaboration with University of Bristol on supply chain risk assessment
  • Supplier engagement and training on sustainable procurement
  • Participation in CDP and TCFD scenario workshops
  • Developing environmental targets for 2026
  • Implementing recommendations from hybrid working survey
  • Developing leadership pipeline from a gender perspective
  • Launching Enabled Candidates Scheme

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Trialled on-site audits focusing on responsible procurement

Responsible Procurement
  • Responsible Procurement Policy
  • Supplier code of conduct
  • Supplier engagement events
  • Training on sustainability in procurement

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, EcoVadis, Science Based Targets initiative, TCFD

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 27001, Investors in People Platinum, Disability Confident Leader

Third-party Assurance: ERM CVS

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)

Initiatives contribute to these goals through renewable energy use, inclusive employment practices, social mobility programs, and climate action targets.

Awards & Recognition

  • Lamp House top responsible law firm
  • RollonFriday ‘Best Law Firm to Work At 2023’
  • The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality
  • Bristol Law Society’s Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing Champion of the Year 2023
  • Legal Process Improvement Project of the Year – International Institute of Legal Project Management 2023

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Renewable Energy Share:100%

ESG Focus Areas

  • Wellbeing
  • Mental Health
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Social Mobility
  • Environment & Sustainable Communities
  • Respect & Employment

Environmental Achievements

  • Science-Based Carbon Targets approved for 50% carbon reduction by 2030
  • 100% renewable electricity across all our sites
  • All our offices are BREEAM Excellent rated buildings

Social Achievements

  • 52 mental health first aiders trained at the firm
  • Firmwide and free roll-out of mental wellbeing app Headspace
  • Accreditation as a Disability Confident Leader
  • Employing 27 apprentices with the first cohort of solicitor apprentices qualifying in September 2023
  • Set up diversity mentoring schemes with both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England
  • Partnered with IntoUniversity to provide corporate mentoring opportunities for students based in the Edinburgh and Glasgow campuses
  • Partnered with music charity Bristol Beacon to organise a Burges Salmon talent show raising £23,000 to tackle food poverty in the community
  • Collaborated with Lawrence Weston Community Farm to establish a Burges Salmon beehive as part of a nature partnership

Governance Achievements

  • Signatory to the UN Global Compact
  • Member of Business in the Community
  • Integrated the UN Sustainable Development Goals into our responsible business strategy

Climate Goals & Targets

Medium-term Goals:
  • 50% carbon reduction by 2030

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals

Awards & Recognition

  • 86 Award wins, shortlists and accreditations