The Legal Charter 1.5 

Potential project: the implementation of executive led decision-making informed by board (or equivalent level) representatives tasked with achieving the Global Imperative

_________

¹Or others generally recognised as providing equivalent rigour

Advised emissions to deliver a 1.5°C transition: we shall support the development of a robust methodology to measure the impact of our advice upon the Global Imperative, and work to apply that methodology as soon as practically possible to:

understand the impact of each of our firm’s advice on emissions globally;

inform our approach to contribute to the Global Imperative, including via our firm’s advice; and

support our work with our clients to achieve the Global Imperative.

Potential project: participants collectively committing to (i) the principle of acknowledging the impact of matters we advise on; (ii) agreeing to contribute to the development of a robust methodology based on verifiable data to identify and monitor such matters; and (iii) using the methodology to inform the work we do with clients, consistent with the Global Imperative. Any such methodology should take into account any listing, or other regulatory requirements that a firm may be bound by.

Applying our commitment to achieving the Global Goal through the Integrated Approach to our matter opening: we recognise that the Global Imperative cannot be achieved without organisations and people transitioning away from high-emitting activities. We will increasingly engage with clients, where appropriate, to understand how they seek to address this challenge and how we may support them. We will endeavour to support credible transition activities (whilst taking into account negative social and environmental impacts of those activities). We shall, when deciding whether to act on a matter, consider the need to achieve the Global Imperative through the Integrated Approach.

Potential project: achieving consensus as to appropriate requirements in relation to incepting clients and matters in both contentious and non-contentious scenarios, in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations, but keeping the Global Imperative in mind. However, there is scope for collective action to set standards for ceasing to act in respect of matters where that outcome cannot be achieved (e.g. exploring the scope for agreeing upon common standards consistent with the Purpose).

Identifying and promoting constructive reforms and informing public policy: we shall identify legal and regulatory reforms best calibrated to achieving the Global Imperative through the Integrated Approach and will promote reforms related to the role of our profession in achieving the Global Imperative.

Potential projects: identifying potential legal, practical and systemic enablers and actual inhibitors of the Global Imperative; establishing a prioritised programme for developing constructive solutions and attracting the necessary investment and policy support to scale existing and innovative interventions and technologies required to achieve the Global Imperative.

Accountability and reporting: we commit to report annually on our progress towards achievement of the Global Imperative.

Potential projects: establishing a common approach to reporting on delivery against the Principles which illustrates participating firms’ efforts, encourages others to engage with the aspirations of this initiative and supports improvements in future practice

Education and upskilling: we commit to training our staff to support achievement of the Global Imperative.

Potential projects: training all staff on transition pathways, the impact of failing to achieve the Global Imperative, the ways in which individuals within our organisations can contribute to achieving – or failing to achieve – the Global Imperative, and the steps that should be taken to achieve a just transition to the Global Imperative. Solicitors’ Assemblies as a means to build understanding and ownership of the climate challenge across business and the ability of the profession to enable the Global Imperative. 

Focused pro bono: we shall participate in collaborative pro bono projects best suited to using our combined resources and influence to achieve the Global Imperative in line with the Integrated Approach, with a focus on activities aligned with principles of climate and social justice and access to justice.

Working in partnership with the One Million Hours project.

Meaningful offsetting: alongside reducing our own emissions in line with Principle 1 in a manner and timescale aligned with the Global Imperative, we shall seek to create best practice guidelines that enable the legal industry, where each respective law firm’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are unavoidable, to use robust and trusted offsetting mechanisms that are best suited to support the Global Imperative and avoid greenwashing.

Potential projects: exploring the feasibility of a collective approach to offsetting unavoidable emissions and the scope for developing best practice guidelines, common standards, and credible data-based decision-making processes, that prevent firms from greenwashing; e.g. an approach that uses consistent standards (including in respect of offsetting mechanisms) and has enough visibility/measurement of the detail of the practical steps that are being taken.