Water statement

Norton Rose Fulbright will ensure that water consumed by the business is managed as efficiently as possible.

This policy details the scope, commitments, risks, responsibilities and requirements associated with Norton Rose Fulbright’s management of water.

In the cities which we operate in, the demands of growing population, domestic and industrial processes place huge demands on water systems. Effective water management reduces Norton Rose Fulbright’s environmental impact, and demonstrates our commitment to reducing water resource scarcity.

Our goal is to reduce the amount of water consumed by the business, and to manage this consumption as efficiently as possible.

We are committed to working with colleagues and our supply chain to eliminate wastage.

The business benefits of effective water management to Norton Rose Fulbright include:

• Cost savings: Reduced water supply and sewerage costs
• Enhanced corporate reputation: Improved environmental credentials for stakeholders
• Improved customer engagement: Increased ability to attract clients who value sustainability

This policy represents a minimum standard for Norton Rose Fulbright’s managed buildings around the world. For the purposes of this document, water considered includes the following types:

• Mains supply water: Water provided to site from a utility company
• Grey water: Waste water generated from wash hand basins, showers and baths
• Harvested water: Water collected on site using rainwater harvesting
• Sewerage: Water removed from site by a drainage system provided by a utility company

To implement this policy, Norton Rose Fulbright will:

• Comply with all applicable legal requirements relating to water
• Measure the water quantity consumed
• Ensure that water used by the business will be managed as efficiently as possible
• Include consideration of water management practices in our procurement activities
• Communicate our water policy and performance to employees and external stakeholders
• Work to achieve a continuous improvement in water management

Failure to implement this policy adequately may give rise to exposure to increased costs for water use and put the business at risk of losing contracts due to client procurement requirements. There is also the requirement to maintain minimum standards to ensure that water is supplied and managed in a way that protects that protects the health and safety of employees and contractors.

Water targets

Norton Rose Fulbright will develop a framework for setting water targets and measuring progress against them. Norton Rose Fulbright will aim to set targets by the end of 2018, and develop an action plan that will enable them to be met.

Water management

All staff responsible for water management shall be trained and competent in the management of water through staff induction and further training.

Water consumption shall be monitored on a monthly basis and checked against previous months to identify abnormal consumption.

Water quality shall be tested in accordance with legal requirements.

Water from suppliers

Norton Rose Fulbright shall consider the environmental impact when choosing suppliers of mains water and sewerage.

Communication

Norton Rose Fulbright ’s water policy and annual performance shall be made available to employees via the firm’s intranet, and to stakeholders via http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/corporate-responsibility/sustainability.

Continuous improvement

Water performance and ongoing improvement shall be reviewed on a periodic basis by the Environmental committee.

From Norton Rose Fulbright website – global sustainability policy

http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/corporate-responsibility/sustainability/

Sustainability policy

We are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment – to protect the planet, ensure resources are available for future generations, and create a better quality of life for all living beings. We recognize that the way in which we operate has an impact on the environment and are committed to integrating sustainability best practice into our decision-making and business activities worldwide.

Our key impacts arise from waste generation, energy use including travel, and resource consumption. We are seeking to minimize these impacts through continual improvement in our environmental performance.

In seeking to improve our environmental performance, we will focus on the following areas in particular:

Waste management: We will manage waste generated by our business as efficiently as possible, and will seek to reduce, reuse and recycle waste wherever possible.

Reduction of greenhouse gases: We will include environmental considerations such as energy efficiency into the acquisition, design and operation of all our buildings where practicable. We will promote the use of travel options or alternatives to travel that minimize our impact on the environment.

Water consumption: We will manage our water consumption by installing water efficient measures in all our buildings where possible and feasible.

Procurement: We will take into account the environmental credentials of suppliers when awarding contracts and will consider environmentally responsible alternatives to products and services which we procure.

Stakeholder engagement: We will encourage and promote environmental awareness amongst our staff through information, instruction and training.

Clients: We will share our sustainability policy and objectives with our clients and, where appropriate, encourage our clients to adopt environmental and sustainability strategies.

Communication: We will communicate our sustainability policy internally and externally.

Law and regulation: We will comply with all laws and regulation relating to the environment.

Review: We will periodically review and, if necessary, revise our environmental policy to ensure that it continues to meet the highest best practice standards.

Governance: Our Executive Committee is responsible for deciding the firm’s sustainability policy, objectives and targets and for ensuring that the necessary organization and resources exist to facilitate their achievement. It is also the responsibility of each and every employee to implement this policy within the practice and to live up to its commitments.