新闻
Freshfields announces new five-year global environment strategy
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has announced a new five-year global environment strategy to further its objective of building a sustainable future for the firm.
The new strategy builds on the strong progress the firm has already made in meeting the five-year environmental targets it set in 2016, and follows over a decade of industry-leading environmental initiatives. These include becoming carbon neutral in 2007; setting up the award-winning 10 year ‘Reforestation in East Africa Programme’ (REAP) carbon offsetting scheme; and most recently signing the ‘Green Pledge’, an initiative led by the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations that seeks to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of arbitrations.
The firm has set ambitious global environmental targets for 2021-2025. These are:
• Committing to purchasing 100% renewable electricity by 2030;
• Reducing carbon from business travel by 30%, building on a 13% reduction in carbon from travel already achieved since 2015/16;
• Reducing paper usage by 40%, meaning that by 2025 the firm will have reduced its overall usage by more than 60% over the previous 10 years;
• Phasing out single-use plastics in all Freshfields offices by the end of 2021.
Georgia Dawson, Freshfields Senior Partner, commented: “Our new environment strategy, with its bold targets and strong focus on the firm’s global carbon footprint, will ensure Freshfields remains a sector leader in integrating environmental objectives within our business. Building on our success in meeting the five-year targets we set in 2016, we are confident that through our new strategy we can achieve a successful and sustainable future for our firm.”
The firm’s commitment to minimising its environmental footprint is matched by its commitment to supporting its clients in their transition to a sustainable future through a successful and growing client sustainability advisory practice, led by Tim Wilkins, Global Partner for Client Sustainability.
The firm also plans to set UN-supported, science-based targets over the next 12 months that will give it a clearly defined pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and has also launched a Global Green Network for its people, to help bring together the successful initiatives already taking place across the firm at a local and individual level.
Oliver Dudok van Heel, Head of Client Sustainability and Environment, commented: “Freshfields has been at the forefront of working with clients in their efforts to transition to a sustainable future, and it is important that our own approach to environmental impact is aligned to our work with clients. Our new strategy shows we are committed to working alongside our clients in delivering a sustainable future for all.”
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About Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a global law firm with a long track record of successfully advising the world's leading national and multinational corporations and financial institutions on ground breaking and business-critical challenges. Our team of more than 2,800 lawyers and other legal professionals delivers global results from our 28 offices worldwide. Our commitment, local and multinational expertise and business know-how means our clients can rely on us when it matters most.