Sustainability

Our Commitment

Scotland’s landmark Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is one of the most ambitious legislative frameworks for emissions reduction in the world, requiring Scotland to reach net zero emissions by 2045 and meet interim emission reduction targets. The Scottish Government’s Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 sets out a clear ambition for Scotland to be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045.

At the Law Society of Scotland we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by looking at our business activity and working practices, and in leading by example, to inspire colleagues and members to do the same. In 2021 we completed our first carbon footprint assessment, for operating years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions as far as possible without impeding business activities and to becoming a carbon neutral organisation.

We will build upon the positive gains of our new ways of working to continually reduce our carbon footprint, whilst ensuring our culture remains attractive to existing and new talent.

We aim to:

• continuously improve our environmental performance
• integrate environmental considerations into all business decisions, including procurement; travel and into the design of the office where possible
• minimise energy use in the office without impeding business activities or welfare of colleagues
• encourage active and public transport whenever possible
• manage waste according to the waste hierarchy
• lead our members and colleagues in improving their impact on the environment
• annually review our carbon footprint, develop carbon management plans, and produce progress reports

Our Governance Manager is responsible for ensuring best practice by seeking guidance from specialists and is also responsible for monitoring and improving environmental performance.