We join United Nations 'Race to Zero' Campaign
We are marking Earth Day (Thursday 22 April) by becoming an official member of the United Nations' (UN) Race to Zero campaign.
We have also become a member of Business Declares – a not-for-profit collective comprising businesses committed to addressing the climate emergency. By becoming the first UK law firm outside of London to join Business Declares, we aim to build on our carbon-neutral status while officially declaring a climate emergency.
Business Declares, which is backed by organisations including The Body Shop, Unilever and The Eden Project, is an official partner of the UN’s global Race to Zero campaign being delivered ahead of COP26 – the UN’s annual climate change conference which will take place in Glasgow this November.
We became carbon neutral for the first time in 2020 and currently offset any emissions we generate in partnership with woodland creation and carbon capture specialist Forest Carbon. Led by our Sustainability Environmental Green Group (SEGG), we continue to make carbon reductions across our operations – including using 100% renewable energy and reviewing our travel and real estate strategies to improve environmental performance.
The commitments form part of our wider sustainability strategy, which closely aligns with international goals set out by the UN. These include reducing poverty through our charitable arm, the Brabners Foundation; ensuring all suppliers pay the real living wage; and supporting local communities through our volunteer scheme.
Robert White, CEO and SEGG member, said: “In joining Business Declares and the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, we formally recognise that urgent action is needed to address the global climate emergency. While the pandemic has given us an opportunity to reduce our environmental impact temporarily, we know we need to do more to bring about long-term positive change to protect the environment.
“Through SEGG, we intend to make Brabners a more sustainable business each and every day – not just in terms of climate change but in addressing all areas of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG). Our plan, which will be subject to regular review, will involve working with our clients, engaging with local initiatives and regional projects as well as empowering our colleagues to choose sustainable options both at work and at home to create a better future for all.”
Ben Tolhurst, director at Business Declares, said: “The climate and ecological breakdown is the defining moment of our time. It is, in the words of the UN’s secretary-general Antonio Guterres, an existential threat. Business Declares believes that businesses can be a force for good in making a difference to tackle this crisis, and we have created a network of businesses who are sharing ideas and practical actions for how to do just that. We are delighted to welcome Brabners to our network as a forward-thinking organisation committed to tackling the climate and ecological breakdown and we look forward to working together.”