For a second year running, Linklaters global environmental programme and carbon reduction efforts have been rewarded with a ‘leadership’ score of A- for their response to the international Carbon Disclosure Project (CPD) Climate Change survey.

Leading position

CDP is an organisation which supports companies and cities to disclose the environmental impact of major corporations. It aims to make environmental reporting and risk management a business norm, and drive disclosure, insight and action towards a sustainable economy. The rating places the firm in a leading position for the professional services sector within Europe, who they were compared against. The average of their peer group is a D, with A & A- scores only awarded to companies who are implementing current best practice. As CDP supply chain responders since 2012, Linklaters say it is the only global firm to have consistently disclosed their firmwide greenhouse gas emissions, with the 2018 survey enhanced to include categories from Governance and risk management to disclosure and value chain engagement. The firm explained their clients KPMG UK, National Grid, National Grid PLC and Vodafone Group requested they respond to the survey and the CDP will inform them of the results in due course.

Strategic value

Suzanne Roberts, new global environment practitioner explains ‘this is a great result and recognition for Linklaters leading approach to environmental management, energy and carbon efficiency. To retain the A- score is impressive, especially in light of the enhanced survey in 2018.’ The firm says they recognise 'responsible business' as a core foundation to our strategy and the importance that businesses must play in the low-carbon transition. The firm has achieved ISO 14001 certification of their environmental management system comprehensively across global operations. In May 2018, the firm completed the global transition to the latest ISO 14001:2015 standard and was awarded a new Certificate of Registration, valid until May 2021.