We treat the environment as one of the firm’s stakeholders, considering the impact upon it of decisions we make in running our business, and are committed to supporting the global ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°c. 

This Climate Action Plan is approved by the firm’s senior management team, who are responsible for delivering it.  It sets out our climate action targets and plans to achieve these, as well as actions taken to date. Progress is reviewed at least annually and the plan itself will be reviewed and updated at least every three years.

Background

The firm has measured its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually, and taken action to reduce them across our operations and value chain, since 2021/22.  Our GHG emissions audit is conducted by independent consultants Zevero: Carbon Management Software for Growing Businesses | Zevero

As a service provider with a limited operational footprint, we believe that the most significant GHG emissions associated with our business are likely to be those associated with the matters upon which we advise.  So in 2026 we also launched our Sustainable and Responsible Legal Advice Pledge Sustainable and Responsible Legal Advice Pledge – Bellevue Law, which focused on the environmental and social impact of the advice we provide to clients.

Our Targets

• Reduce GHG emissions per employee (FTE) by 50% by 2030 (from a 2022 baseline)
• 50% of suppliers (by spend) measuring their GHG emissions by 2027 (the vast majority of our emissions are ‘Scope 3’ emissions, relating to our value chain, as opposed to our own operations)
• 90% of employees working from home using renewable energy by 2030

Action Taken To Date

• Relocation to new offices, which use a 100% REGO certified renewable electricity tariff, resulting in market-based emissions relating to the office reducing to zero, in 2025
• Rollout of measurable.energy programmable smart sockets in office and for team members working from home in 2022
• Cash incentives to team members working from home to switch to green energy suppliers from 2025
• Roll out of ESG compliant pension options from 2025
• Signatory to Greener Litigation Pledge in 2026
• Encouraging the use of environmentally friendly commuting by foot, bicycle or public transport where possible, as well as virtual meetings in place of long-distance travel where possible, while recognising the necessity and desirability of both internal and external meetings in person, with long-distance travel taking place only where considered necessary
• Discussion of contribution to the Firm’s ESG goals during employee performance reviews
• Inclusion of questions on our ESG impact in annual client and team surveys
• Policy of prioritising environmentally friendly and sustainable choices in our supply chain where appropriate and possible
• Arranging safe disposal of e-waste and work-related hazardous materials from both our head office and home offices
• Analysis of proportion of suppliers (by spend) measuring their GHG emissions

Climate actions for FY 2026-27

• Advocacy about ‘advised emissions’ and ‘advised impact’ in the professional services sector (engaging with clients and wider professional services sector)
• Continue to measure and report on the firm’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and progress towards targets
• Continue use of 100% REGO certified renewable electricity tariff in head office
• Continue use of measurable.energy sockets in office and offering for home working
• Continue offering cash incentives to team members switching to green energy suppliers (engaging with team members)
• Continue offering ESG compliant pension options from 2025 (engaging with team members)
• Maintain current practices re travel, performance reviews, surveys, procurement and disposal (engaging with team members and client)
• Supplier engagement (engaging with suppliers)

Resources for implementation

• Engagement of external consultancy (Zevero) for GHG audit
• Involvement of senior management and associate lawyer in advocacy re advised emissions
• Involvement of senior management and finance manager in supplier analysis and engagement
• Budget for GHG audit, smart sockets, cash incentives for green energy switch