We continuously look for opportunities to reduce our environmental impact and emissions. We consider energy and resource efficiency, waste management and reduction, sustainable travel and engagement with our suppliers and key stakeholders including our landlord and fellow tenants.
We have robust processes and procedures in place to measure, monitor and continuously improve our environmental performance through our ISO 14001: 2015 certified Environmental Management System (EMS). Some of the progress we've made so far includes:
Energy and resource efficiency
- Our office is fitted with motion-sensitive lighting sensors and energy-efficient light fittings.
- Agile working practices help reduce our energy uptake.
Sustainable travel
- We have increased our video conference facilities to encourage remote meetings and reduce non-essential business travel.
- Our travel policy encourages use of public transport where possible, and car-sharing and/or using low carbon-emitting vehicles if necessary.
- We provide interest-free season ticket loans and a cycle-to-work scheme to encourage our people to commute more sustainably.
Waste management and reduction
- We have recycling hubs on every floor for mixed recycling, confidential waste, and food waste.
- We have removed all single-use plastic cutlery and cups from our tea points and plastic bottles from our vending machines.
- All of our computers are leased and, as the warranty expires, the equipment is refurbished and put back into circulation as part of the 2nd Life IT offering.
- Spare furniture is recycled by donating to an organisation which specialises in redistributing redundant furniture to worthy causes.
- We use secure, centralised multifunctional devices with double-sided printing set as default as well as electronic document signing which help to reduce paper use.
Supplier engagement
- We take environmental factors into consideration when sourcing new suppliers, and collaborate with existing suppliers to identify opportunities for greater efficiency. For example, we agreed with our stationery supplier to collate orders, reduce the number of deliveries and deliver in reusable tote boxes.
We also recognise the importance of extending our impact through external collaboration. We are members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, a network in which members share best practice and work together to ensure law firms play a part in tackling the climate crisis. We also support the Chancery Lane Project, a collaborative effort of legal professionals whose vision is a world where every contract enables solutions to climate change. Howard Kennedy volunteers are involved in helping develop a new legal clause "The Aatmay Clause" which provides for the inclusion of sustainable and circular economy principles in lease obligations relating to repair and alterations.
