The firm says its reductions are part of the Firm’s wider sustainability strategy and support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Pressing issue

The Firm commits to reducing its emissions from energy consumption by 92 percent by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline), develop a strategy and target by 2021 to lower emissions from its business air travel, and to report its emissions with the Carbon Disclosure Project starting in 2020. “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity,” says global executive committee member Ai Ai Wong who is also chair of the firm’s Asia Pacific region and the global environmental committee. “Limiting warming requires everyone - including Baker McKenzie - to take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, without delay. We are setting targets to drive better environmental performance across our global operations, and to clearly demonstrate our commitment.” Christie Constantine, Baker McKenzie's global director of sustainability, added “These targets are part of the firm’s continuing effort to integrate sustainability meaningfully into our strategy and operations.” Ms Constantine, who has been with Baker McKenzie since 2013, was appointed to the newly created global director of sustainability role earlier this year, reflecting the firm’s commitment to sustainability.

Virtual over flights

Last year, the firm launched a refreshed global sustainability strategy, centered on the environmental, economic, social and governance issues most material to the firm as identified by more than 1400 stakeholders. Additionally, Baker McKenzie has prioritized a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals linked to these issues which it will focus on over the next ten years. This includes Goal 7 (clean and affordable energy); Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production); and Goal 13 (climate action). The Firm plans to lower its energy consumption through improvements in the energy efficiency of its offices (including a shift to green buildings over time), as well as via procurement of renewable energy credits. With respect to business air travel, which is the firm’s biggest emissions source, in addition to lessening non-essential travel, Baker McKenzie will assess investments in enhanced video conferencing technology and redesign key meetings and events to make virtual attendance viable.