Irwin Mitchell aims for net zero by 2040

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National law firm Irwin Mitchell LLP has revealed its plans to target 100% renewable energy use in offices over the next three years, and to reach carbon net zero by 2040.

Announced in response to this year’s World Environment Day on 5 June, the firm’s roadmap to reaching these ambitious climate targets include achieving 100% renewable electricity its 17 regional offices and reducing emissions from the firm’s facilities and vehicles by 60% by 2025.

Irwin Mitchell aims to have halved emissions on things such as purchased goods and services, business travel and employee commuting by 2030, with the overall target of being completely carbon neutral by 2040.

Louise Needham, environmental sustainability manager at Irwin Mitchell, said: “With environmental sustainability taking centre stage in society, it’s never been more crucial to avoid ‘greenwashing’ and ensure a credible and authentic approach.

“Our commitment to sustainability and the environmental approach are being ramped up to ensure we’ll be leading the way in the transition to net zero and a more sustainable future for all.

“The roadmap we have set out today is ambitious, but it is an opportunity to challenge ourselves to do better and to proactively continue to lead on what we know is a key issue for our clients, colleagues and the communities in which we operate.

“These objectives give everyone within the business something to aim at and we’re looking forward to taking the steps necessary to achieve success and we hope, inspire others to follow in our footsteps.”

The news comes as the legal profession moves towards a more sustainable future. Last year, several leading City law firms committed to the Greener Litigation Pledge, while US law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP offered a green ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme to enable lawyers to drive away with electric vehicles.

Stay tuned to LawCareers.Net as we continue to report on how law firms and the legal profession are tackling the environmental crisis.