Environmental Sustainability
We recognise our role in driving holistic environmental sustainability, both here at Stephenson Harwood, and through our work with our clients.
We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our business operations, supporting our clients to navigate the energy transition, and applying our legal skills to pro bono work that addresses climate change challenges and inequities in wider society.
Our operations
In FY2026, building on the progress made in our London office, we established our first global environmental strategy and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) aligned net zero targets. These provide a framework for action across our business and set out the direction of travel for reducing emissions across our operations and wider value chain.
Our Global Net Zero Targets
Emissions Scope | Near-term target (by 2035) | Long-term target (by 2050) |
|---|---|---|
Scope 1 and Scope 2 (Direct operations and purchased electricity) | Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63% from the FY2024-2025 baseline year | Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% from the FY2024-2025 baseline year |
Scope 3 (Wider value chain emissions, such as business travel, purchased goods and services) | Reduce Scope 3 emissions intensity by 66.4% per headcount from the FY2024-2025 baseline year | Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 90% from the FY2024-2025 baseline year |
An intensity target is a target that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2e = tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) relative to a specific business metric, such as revenue, employee numbers, or office size. For our near-term Scope 3 target, we have chosen headcount as the intensity metric, as we believe it provides the most representative measure of our planned business growth.
An absolute reduction target is a target that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (tCO₂e) from a defined baseline year. Progress is measured by the actual reduction in emissions achieved over time.
As we continue this journey, our immediate focus is on building the foundations needed to deliver long-term progress. This includes maintaining strong governance, improving the quality of our environmental data, strengthening reporting processes, and embedding the policies, systems and collaborations that will support delivery against our targets.
External engagement and collaboration are also important to how we strengthen our approach and keep pace with developments in sustainability practice.
We are collaborating with sector-wide initiatives and frameworks, including the Legal Sustainability Alliance. Through its sustainable procurement, business travel and engagement working groups, we share challenges and opportunities, learn from peers across the legal sector, exchange best practice and stay informed of emerging developments through industry events.
Transparency and continual improvement remain central to our approach. Further details on our global environmental strategy and targets are available in our Responsible Business Report and CDP disclosures, alongside our UK Carbon Reduction Plan. We also participate in EcoVadis, an independent sustainability assessment platform used by organisations worldwide, helping clients understand our progress and our commitment to becoming a more sustainable partner.
View all Stephenson Harwood's Environmental reports and data
Pro Bono Work
We dedicate significant pro bono resource to causes and organisations that protect the environment and support those who are impacted by climate change. Examples of our work include:
Plastic Odyssey
Targeting plastic pollution during a three-hear maritime expedition.
Legal Response International
Legal support to developing nations during UN climate framework meetings
Voluntary Carbon Market
Research into the legal effects of voluntary carbon markets in Northern Kenya in partnership with Haki na Sheria
Blue Carbon Policy Research
Research into Kenya’s policies around the protection of the blue carbon ecosystem
Eco Ventures Counsel
Partnering with climate tech startups to provide pro bono legal advice
Clients
The energy transition comes with both opportunities and challenges. Our cross-practice international team of lawyers at Stephenson Harwood can help you navigate these challenges and make the most of the opportunities no matter where you are on your journey.
We have aligned ourselves to three integral pillars of the energy transition that will help businesses chart a clear path to progress:
