Greenarc New research reveals 66% of law firm employees believe their company has clear sustainability goals, though many of the staff responsible for delivering plans lack confidence in their ability to achieve them.
The study highlights 78% of firms have appointed individuals to lead their green initiatives. However, only 38% of these sustainability champions believe they have the complete knowledge they need to fulfil their roles effectively.
The research, commissioned by Greenarc, a service provider guiding businesses through every step of their carbon reduction journey, surveyed 100 employees working in the UK legal sector. While 54% of firms said focus towards sustainability initiatives has increased over the past 3 years, sadly it still falls short compared to other areas of business focus.
Sustainability initiatives were a priority for only 51% of UK law firms, significantly trailing behind other focus areas including digital transformation (68%), cybersecurity (92%), and cost management (81%). The growing demand for technology investments has pushed issues such as sustainability, employee wellbeing, EDI and hybrid working models lower on the priority list.
The top 5 priorities for UK law firms:
- Cybersecurity (92%)
- Cost Management (81%)
- Digital Transformation (68%)
- Employee Wellbeing (67%)
- Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (64%)
Chris Bingham, Chairman at Greenarc added:
“The UK legal sector clearly recognises the impact of sustainability on both its workforce and clients. Two-thirds of our respondents indicated that a firm’s sustainability credentials would be a deciding factor when choosing their next employer. Similarly, 73% of law firms recognise their sustainability efforts help engage new clients.
“But while the sector recognises the importance of strong sustainability credentials, when push comes to shove, other demands take precedence. This is why external specialist support can be crucial in helping determine which sustainable initiatives are worth progressing, in order to get the most value from any investment.”
For lawyers, the most significant GHG emissions associated with their organisation are likely to be emissions associated with the matters upon which they advise, also known as Scope 4 emissions. While 77% of respondents recognise the importance of Scope 4 emissions, only 18% see them as a key part of their strategy. 42% suggested they include Scope 4 in a limited way while a further 9% said they are not considering inclusion of Scope 4 emissions as part of any environmental planning and strategy. 10% admit they are not familiar with them at all.
Jonathan Simms, Partner at Clarion, said of the findings:
“While the data suggests a significant majority of law firms have clear sustainability goals, the lack of confidence among those implementing them is striking. For me this highlights a need for upskilling, clearer frameworks, and external guidance to bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
“We know that our ESG activities and Net-Zero plan are important both for our employees, those looking for a career in the law, as well as our clients. Businesses want to ensure their legal suppliers, and supply chain in general, have a Net-Zero strategy in place – it is certainly a factor that organisations want to know we are addressing and have on our management agenda.”
Chris Bingham, Chairman at Greenarc added:
“After a challenging few years and the October Budget’s 1.2% rise in National Insurance for UK businesses, it’s no surprise that 40% of respondents identified cost pressures as a significant barrier to achieving their sustainability goals. However, as this research highlights, many obstacles around sustainability stem from a lack of expertise. With the right guidance, law firms can start addressing their environmental objectives in a way that aligns with their financial constraints.”
Greenarc helps businesses facilitate their transition to clean energy and power progress with sustainable energy solutions. Please visit greenarc.com to find out more.
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