New report grades law firms on involvement in fossil fuel work
updated on 23 April 2025
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Law Students for Climate Accountability (LSCA) has released its 2025 Climate Change Scorecard, a report that grades 100 prestigious law firms from A to F based on their involvement in fossil fuel-related activities over the past five years. This year's findings revealed a record number received an A score, which is given to law firms that are involved in renewable energy projects and have minimal engagement with fossil fuel-related work.
LSCA is a US-based group that aims to “amplify the roles and responsibilities of the legal industry in our current climate crisis”. The report includes input from UK universities, such as University of Southampton, Queen Mary University of London, University College London and University of Bristol. For the first time, the scorecard includes additional law firms in major markets in Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.
A total of 14 law firms were acknowledged in the A category, including Cooley (UK) LLP, Dechert LLP and Ropes & Gray International LLP. These law firms are described as a “legitimate choice” for the climate-conscious law student.
Meanwhile, 71% of law firms received a “failing” score and were graded between D and F. According to the LSCA, this “reflects the legal industry’s clear and substantial role in exacerbating the climate crisis”. The report acknowledged increased “mitigating work” for renewable energy companies across the board. However, the data highlighted that, while renewable energy work continues to increase, the pace must be drastically sped up to meet the world’s energy needs.
LSCA urged law firm clients to consider the findings of the scorecard, stating: “Clients should feel empowered to look at the interests that firms represent and whether those interests are directly opposed to their own. The climate crisis is threatening individual businesses, entire industries, and global security. Clients should consider how climate change impacts their work, and bring that lens into their discussions with firms.”
The report also stated: “As it becomes increasingly clear that institutions will not come to our rescue, it also becomes more and more evident that it is imperative for all lawyers to do all they can to build legal systems that are both just and compatible with a livable future.”
