Law Society sets 2030 net zero target

The Law Society of England and Wales has committed to being net zero by 2030.

The commitment follows the launch of our Climate Change Resolution in October 2021 and milestone guidance on the impact of climate change on solicitors in April this year.

As well as urging solicitors to take the lead in developing a climate-conscious approach to their daily practice, the resolution also committed the Law Society to develop plans and take rapid action to reduce global warming by adopting science-based targets for its operations.

Law Society president Nick Emmerson, who spoke about the guidance at the annual conference of the International Bar Association this week, said: “It is important that as well as providing guidance for the profession, the Law Society demonstrates what we are doing to reduce carbon emissions in our own operations.

“We are setting this ambitious net zero target despite Chancery Lane being a listed building.

“We are committed to becoming net zero by 2030, and plans to reduce our direct and indirect emissions are already underway.

“We have already begun to drive down energy usage across the business and the net-zero target will be at the heart of all our decision-making.

“We get all our electricity directly from verified renewable sources via a power purchase agreement and are exploring further innovative options to retrofit the building to reduce carbon emissions.”