Sustainable practice

We aim to minimize our impact on the environment – to protect the planet, ensure that resources are available for future generations and create a better quality of life for all living beings. We integrate sustainability best practice into all our decision-making and business activities. We recognize our responsibility to address environmental issues that jeopardize the earth’s ecosystems and the future of our communities and as a firm we work on reducing our environmental footprint and are active on many pro bono projects in the areas of sustainability.

Through our global charitable initiative for 2020, we are committed to promoting environmental sustainability in our local communities. For the purpose of this initiative, we have defined sustainability as climate change, protection of the environment on land and below water, responsible consumption and supply, and sustainable cities. We are keen that each region or jurisdiction interprets this theme in a way that resonates with their local environmental sustainability focus, and partners with or supports their preferred local charities in the area of environmental sustainability.

Our global goals are to:

• Raise awareness of the importance of improving our environmental sustainability – in our business, in our local communities and as individuals;
• Improve our own environmental best practice and focus on creating an enduring legacy in environmental sustainability,
• Encourage behavioural change on the basis that small changes can – collectively – make a big difference;
• Provide pro bono and volunteering opportunities for our people and join like-minded clients in community engagement and fundraising activities 

We reduce, reuse and recycle waste wherever possible	We use travel options that minimize our environmental impact	We install water efficient measures in our buildings where possible	We comply with environmental regulations	We review and revise our environmental policy
We share sustainability policy and objectives with clients	We communicate our sustainability policy internally/externally	We consider suppliers’ environmental credentials	We encourage and promote environmental awareness	Our Executive Committee decides our sustainability policy

Local sustainability initiatives

UK

In London, we are members of the Green Square Mile, an Ibex Earth initiative that engages businesses in and around the City of London, to protect biodiversity hotspots around the world. The Green Square Mile works directly with some of the world’s leading conservation charities, including Tusk and Flora and Fauna International.

France

In Paris we advise the Terrawatt Initiative, which aims to promote solar energy and accelerate the energy revolution.

Netherlands

In Amsterdam we provide legal assistance to Stichting Green City Buzz, which improves built-up areas and makes them more sustainable.

Kenya

We help to fund the Lewa Wildlife Conservation project in Kenya, alongside four other City of London clients. Despite the project’s success as a model of wildlife protection, poaching remains a constant threat.

The project will provide ranger patrols, wildlife monitoring, community outreach and education to ensure that the zero poaching rate of elephant and rhino is maintained, and that local communities continue to benefit.

South Africa

In South Africa, we provide pro bono advice to RHINO 911, a not-for-profit organization that rescues wounded rhinos. We also assist SANParks, the organization which manages South Africa’s national parks.

Australia

In Australia, we have for many years donated our surplus food to OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organization and Australia’s 2018/19 Global Charitable Initiative partner. Set up 14 years ago, OzHarvest has reclaimed food to produce more than 14 million meals for people in need.

US

In Austin, we partner with Imperfect Produce, a company that buys off-grade produce (short shelf life, different size/shape/color) directly from farmers and sells it on a subscription based service. By selling the imperfect produce, the company diverts food waste from landfills. The farmer is rewarded for a full harvest, the resources used to grow the produce are not wasted, and we have access to delicious, healthy, affordable fruits in the office.