Going green: the easy wins

In the wake of extreme record-breaking temperatures across Europe, time is running out to tackle the climate crisis. Genuine moves towards sustainability are needed and the legal sector is in prime position to support this transformational change. By integrating sustainability into the workplace, lawyers can reduce their own impact on the planet and advise clients on the transition towards net zero. 

The sustainability journey is complex, requiring a thoughtful and ambitious set of commitments for which the business will be accountable. However, all pathways have a beginning, so starting with some simple policies across key areas will bring quick rewards and boost motivation. From this, firms can progress to more long-term and challenging measures. Here are some ideas to get going.

Energy

• Switch to an energy supplier operating with 100% renewables. Fuel mix disclosures can be obscure, so check online switching sites for the latest information on where a supplier’s renewable energy is coming from.
• Check that all office lightbulbs are energy-efficient LEDs. With up to 40% of an office’s electricity attributed to lighting, this change can reduce energy use significantly.
• Install motion sensors around the office to regulate lighting use, and turn off all lights when the office is closed.
• Encourage staff to shut down computers completely when not working. For example,
  a one-hour lunch break equates to a reduction of five hours a week for every member of staff. When the office is closed, all computing equipment should be switched off, rather than left on standby.
• Set office heating thermostats to between 18 and 20 degrees, depending on staff preference, making sure windows are closed when heating is on, and the system is off during nights and weekends.
• In warmer weather, rely on natural ventilation and creating shade, rather than using air conditioning units.
• Reduce energy-intensive data storage requirements by deleting duplicate files and regularly clearing out digital archives.

Waste

• Make recycling easy with clearly marked stations for paper, glass, plastic, aluminium, batteries and printer toner cartridges. Create a rota for green team members to dispose of recycled waste or arrange for local collection.
• Collect food waste for composting or special uplift.
• Provide staff with reusable water bottles, cotton carrier bags and keep-warm cups to cut down on single-use plastics and disposable coffee cups. This is a great opportunity for business branding, which can be applied to these products.
• Reduce printer usage by removing personal printers from desks, using smaller font size on documents and always choosing double-sided printing. This cuts down on paper consumption, which is the greatest source of office waste, as well as printer toner use.
• Install low-flush toilets to conserve water.

Transport

• Following the pandemic, hybrid working has become popular among staff and employers. This model reduces fuel emissions created by the daily commute, improving air pollution and reducing the carbon footprint of the business.
• Offer a cycle-to-work scheme to help staff purchase bikes, with secure cycle storage and staff showers installed on site. Public transport season ticket loans and car sharing opportunities can also reduce the number of people making single-person car journeys to commute.
• Avoid regular courier use by digital delivery of documents and swapping to cargo bike couriers for any remaining delivery needs.
• Reduce business travel by encouraging online meetings and CPD courses. When business travel is necessary, choose standard tickets to reduce the environmental impact. Flying business class emits three times as much carbon as economy, because the seats take up more room and the cabins are often poorly occupied. 

Procurement

• Choose Fairtrade and organic products for the office, for example when buying tea and coffee.
• Use eco-friendly cleaning products to improve staff health and produce less toxic waste.
• Switch to 100% FSC-certified paper, which is guaranteed to come from a responsible source.
• Use contractors who have good sustainability credentials. Make a point of asking to see their environmental policies and include an environmental clause in supply contracts. 

Social

• Engage in community projects to support local causes.
• Encourage volunteering opportunities for staff by offering volunteer days in addition to annual leave.
• Develop a wellbeing programme at work to promote positive mental and physical health amongst staff.
• Add plants to the office, like parlour palms and devil’s ivy, which improve air quality by removing toxins and create a more pleasant working environment.