As an international legal and professional services firm, our goal is for sustainability to be embedded in our culture and permeate our business at every level. Our focus is on continual improvement through setting challenging targets, allocating the right resources and approaching decisions and activities with a sustainability mindset.

As part of this approach, we have set ambitious carbon emissions reduction targets grounded in climate science in line with the global net-zero goal through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – we have committed to reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by 2030. We are also members of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance (NZLA), an organisation we are working with to develop industry best practices. We were the first law firm in our jurisdictions to make these commitments.

Our dedicated Sustainability team has developed a management system using ISO 14001, an internationally recognised standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. This will help to ensure the successful implementation of Ogier’s sustainability programme.

As part of this programme, we have launched projects and implemented initiatives specifically in relation to business travel, waste reduction, commuting and our workspaces, each aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing Ogier’s carbon footprint.

Where we have control and influence, we are working to minimise the negative impact of our business – beyond our legal obligations – and our personal activity on the environment, and as a business we embrace the challenge of inspiring our people, clients, and industry partners to do the same.

For example, we conducted a firm-wide survey to understand our commuting patterns and carbon emissions, our people took part in Alternative Transport Week in Jersey, with our people using alternative, more environmentally friendly ways to get to work. We provide appropriate facilities such as bike racks, as well as flexible working policy to accommodate it.

Our teams in Jersey have also contributed CSR days to a number of environmental projects, including beach cleans, volunteering with Jersey Biodiversity, as well as Jersey Trees for Life at the Val de la Mare Arboretum.

Key for Ogier is how we are held to account and the strong governance we put in place to achieve our sustainability goals. With the full support of Global Managing Partner Edward Mackereth, our long-term sustainability commitments are supported by our Legal Executive Board and Ogier’s Global Environmental Steering Committee.

We know that we can only achieve our goals through people power, which is why we invest in sustainability education. We provide learning and development opportunities and resources to raise our people’s awareness of what they can do to help across a wide range of issues including climate, waste, material use and sustainable procurement.

Winning the Sustainability at Heart award is recognition of our progress, and recognition of our people, who have embraced our vision for a sustainable future. We know that change takes time, but with the continued commitment and enthusiasm of our people, we’ll get there.