Sustainable practice

Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to operating sustainably and taking direct action to support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13: Action on Climate Change. Climate action sits alongside our other strategic priorities that advance sustainable development, including diversity, equity and inclusion and social impact. It is managed by a global Environmental Sustainability Committee, reporting directly to our Global Executive Committee and Chief Executive Officer.

We recognize that, as a global firm supporting our clients in multiple jurisdictions, the way in which we operate has an impact on the environment. We are committed to integrating sustainability best practice into our decision-making and business activities worldwide. We also recognize that our environmental performance is important to our people, our clients, our suppliers and other stakeholders.

We have established 2019 emissions data in each of our regions for our key environmental impacts: waste generation; resource consumption, including energy use in our buildings; and business travel. The first stage of our plan was overseen and delivered by our Environmental Sustainability subcommittee, which reports to our executive management committee. Emissions from our supply chain also form a material part of our footprint, something on which we are working closely with our suppliers to ensure our objectives align.

We are now developing clear, specific and quantitative emissions objectives, together with a governance framework to manage progress towards our sustainability goals.

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

Canada

In Canada, we are managing our paper consumption through a number of initiatives. Through secure print, users must enter a pin to release their print job. By doing so, we are able to reduce paper waste and only print what is needed. In addition, all the printers and copiers in the offices have been set to default to double-sided printing and we are moving to a 100 percent sustainable recycled paper. Canada is also participating in the Xerox Print Releaf program through which trees will be planted to 100 percent mitigate our copy/print paper usage.

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 the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region (K2C), as part of a social enterprise structure aimed at waste reclamation and recycling, as well as the Catchment Investment Programme (CIP), directed toward improving water security, protecting biodiversity and supporting resilient livelihoods in the K2C. We are also partnered with CleanCitySA NPC, a community-based environmental justice organization whose mission is to protect the environment from waste and fight hunger in our communities, by employing people to clean the inner-city streets. Furthermore, we represent the Kya Sands Burning Wasteland Forum in fighting for clean air and preventing the illegal dumping and burning of waste in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.

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.