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 are measuring our carbon footprint across our global operations during the course of this year, and based upon those findings, we will undertake a strategic review to develop a plan of action on climate change. 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 all jurisdictions where we operate.

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.