Press Release

HRH The Prince of Wales launches climate change initiative for the legal sector

02 December 2008

The Prince of Wales will urge the legal profession to sign up to a set of bespoke principles to combat global warming in a speech at the launch of the Legal Sector Alliance [LSA] in London on December 10th.

The Legal Sector Alliance is an inclusive movement of law firms and organisations committed to working collaboratively to take action on climate change by reducing their carbon footprint and adopting environmentally sustainable practices.

The Prince of Wales will deliver the keynote address at the official launch of the Alliance at 15 Hatfields, a venue built to the highest environmental specifications from the ecologically produced goat hair carpets to the cushions made from recycled seatbelts. The Prince will promote a low carbon future for the legal profession and celebrate the sector's commitment to taking collective action on climate change by changing the way it does business.

The LSA principles have been developed through extensive consultation with environmental experts and law firms of all sizes across the country. They cover firms' own operations, as well as their influence on clients, suppliers, employees and policy makers. Many firms both large and small, have already signed up to the principles and HRH will urge the rest of the profession to follow suit.

Nigel Knowles, LSA Chairman, said, "The climate change debate is over - world leaders, our clients and our people all recognise that immediate action to reduce our impact on the planet is necessary and imperative. As businesses and individuals, we all recognise that this is a global problem requiring a collective solution. By joining the Legal Sector Alliance, the legal community can make a robust and swift response, taking action on the issues and challenges that the climate crisis presents."

Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future said; "I think these Principles are excellent, and I am impressed to see just how comprehensive the boundary conditions are - that's really important. I look forward to seeing how the legal profession takes these principles forward into action."

Rob Penrose, Managing Partner at Andrew Jackson, a firm which has recently signed up to the principles, said; "Andrew Jackson is proud to be part of this innovative collaboration and work with other law firms so we can address the important issue of climate change. The principles of the Alliance reflect our own objectives to look at the ways we can reduce our impact on the environment."

The LSA believes that acting on climate change is in the profession's collective interest and that greater impact can be achieved through collaborative action and the sharing of knowledge and experience than could be achieved individually. The greater the number of firms, chambers and in-house legal teams that get involved, the greater the chance of having a real influence on the way the sector does business.

The launch event, at which polar explorer Pen Hadow will also deliver a keynote speech, will include an exhibition of environmentally sustainable products and services from locally sourced food and beverages to innovative technology solutions.

To demonstrate their commitment to reducing their carbon emissions, the LSA's Founding Members have all measured their carbon footprint using the LSA Protocol and will be publicly reporting the results on the LSA website following the launch.

More information about the LSA