Skip to content

  • Home
  • COVID-19 Guide
  • COVID-19 AV library
  • Client results
  • Expertise
  • News & Insights
  • People
  • Our DNA
  • Inclusion and Diversity
  • Join us
  • Contact Us
Home / NEWS & INSIGHTS / News / Inspiring a more sustainable future for Australia’s legal practice
News 1 December 2017

Inspiring a more sustainable future for Australia’s legal practice

As one of seven Executive Members of the Australian Legal Sector Alliance (AusLSA) we are proud to be a part of the 2017 Legal Sector Sustainability Insight.

As a leading Australian law firm we recognise we have a responsibility to contribute to the sustainability of our environment as part of our purpose.

The report is a key part of our commitment to transparent sustainability reporting and we congratulate our fellow AusLSA reporting members on their performance across the areas of people, community, environment and governance.

AusLSA co-chair Brendan Bateman said by being part of AusLSA, firms were demonstrating to their people, their clients, and their peers that they value and want to take meaningful action to improve the wellbeing of their people, the community and the environment.

Mr Bateman said the report highlighted some positive sustainability trends but also showed that firms have room for improvement.

Electricity and paper usage have both decreased in reporting firms since 2014, by 21 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

The report also showed an increasing commitment to pro bono programs, which are now present in 91 per cent of reporting firms, as well as non-legal volunteering programs, present in 85 per cent.

Firms generally did well across the ‘people’ category, with gender equality policies present in 91 per cent, flexible working programs in 82 per cent and LGBTI inclusion policies up 10 per cent to 68 per cent.

However, firms’ business travel greenhouse gas emissions increased by 4.6 per cent in the last year and 7.9 per cent in the last three years. Their use of renewables and carbon offsets increased by 152 per cent over the last three years but plateaued this year.

“In areas such as business travel, firms can improve,” Mr Bateman said.

“After impressive increases over the last three years, renewables and carbon offsets have also plateaued this year.

“The purchase of recycled paper and other sustainable product choices is another area where firms can easily do more to protect biodiversity and conserve energy and water, while addressing the wide range of social issues influenced by their procurement choices.”

Read the AusLSA 2017 Legal Sector Sustainability Insight

In other news

FIRB Reforms Article Series – Part 2: Family Arrangements

30 July 2020Insight

Are loan books next on the block for Australia?

29 July 2020Insight

Unlicensed parties beware – Head contractor exemption to be removed from QBCC Act

28 July 2020Insight

FIRB Reforms Article Series – Part 1: National Security Businesses

23 July 2020Insight

VIEW ALL NEWS & INSIGHTS

BRISBANE

Level 11, 66 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO Box 1855
Brisbane QLD 4001
Tel +61 7 3233 8888
Fax +61 7 3229 9949

 

GET IN TOUCH

    Contact form

    We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

    sydney

    Level 32, MLC Centre
    19 Martin Place
    Sydney NSW 2000
    GPO Box 462
    Sydney NSW 2001

    Tel +61 2 8241 5600
    Fax +61 2 8241 5699

     

    GET IN TOUCH

      Contact form


      We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

      melbourne

      Level 27, 101 Collins Street
      Melbourne VIC 3000
      GPO Box 2924
      Melbourne VIC 3001

      Tel +61 3 9067 3100
      Fax +61 3 9067 3199

       

      GET IN TOUCH

        Contact form

        We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

        follow us

        CLIENT LOGIN

        newcastle

        Level 2, 16 Telford Street
        Newcastle NSW 2300
        PO Box 394
        Newcastle NSW 2300

        Tel +61 2 4914 6900
        Fax +61 2 4914 6999

         

        GET IN TOUCH

          Contact form


          We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

          canberra

          Level 9, 2 Phillip Law Street
          Canberra ACT 2601

          Tel +61 2 6243 3699
          Fax +61 2 8241 5699

           

          GET IN TOUCH

            Contact form


            We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

            © 2017 McCullough Robertson. Site map Disclaimer Privacy Policy Credit Reporting Policy

            X