Sustainability and Net Zero - Sharpe Pritchard

In 2020 we partnered with Planet Mark to measure our carbon footprint annually to ensure we are on course for our goal of net zero. In doing so we monitor operations which impact our carbon footprint ensuring sustainability extends to our staff, suppliers, travel, energy usage and waste.

Through our continued commitment to PlanetMark we are proud to have protected an area of endangered rainforest with Cool Earth and made a charitable donation to the Eden Project. To view the latest annual report from PlanetMark please click here.

View our Carbon Reduction Plan

Why it matters

Net Zero is a commitment by the UK government to ensure that by 2050 the amount of greenhouse gases the UK produces as a whole is less than the amount it takes out of the atmosphere.

Whilst the environmental impact of our firm is relatively small when compared to other firms and industries, we must all work together to embrace sustainability. Acting in a socially responsible manner is core to our values as a firm.

Sustainability and Net Zero practices are no longer a choice, they are essential.

In 2020 businesses were responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions

Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic there was a 5% decrease due to the fall in emissions from industrial and commercial combustion

In 2021, businesses were responsible for 14% of the total 414.1 million tons

According to Law.com in 2019, the total carbon footprint of the average law firm in the UK was 191.836 tCO2e, at Sharpe Pritchard our Carbon Footprint is 15.4 tCO2e.

View our Carbon Reduction Plan

Our Work

Reducing our environmental impact is central to our ambitions and embedded in our ethos. We are targeting net-zero carbon by 2040 and our current footprint is significantly below the national average – we are well on our way!

Our work is broadly two-fold. We not only look at how we can reduce our own carbon footprint but also how we can support our clients through our legal advice and expertise in environmental projects and infrastructure as well as weaving sustainability and environmental considerations into their business as usual.

Our work within our firm

A supplier audit to ensure that our supplier’s values align with ours and have updated our supply chain as a result
All office supplies are delivered by electric delivery vehicles
Wherever possible, we purchase Fairtrade products
We offer a cycle scheme to all staff with secure bicycle storage
An electric vehicle scheme for employees in conjunction with Octopus Energy
We are based in a fully electric building and use wholly renewable energy sources
We power down equipment to save on energy consumption
We held a young artist competition for children to design posters for the office with their reminders and top tips to stay environmentally friendly
Joined a peer network with our landlord as a platform for us and members to help identify where we can cut our energy consumption as a building and support each other in achieving net zero
Reduced landfill through donations of useable equipment
Recycling bins are placed throughout the building to encourage recycling
Where it’s necessary to print, a new tree is planted for every tree’s worth of printing through Printrelief

Our work for clients

Green Goals was setup to highlight the legal support we can offer to clients in incorporating green goals in business-as-usual work as well as green infrastructure projects. Part of this project is to demystify the net zero and environmental language alongside the government’s aims and expectations. We’re proud to help our clients have a positive impact, drawing on our deep expertise to assess potential opportunities.

Our teams have been involved in some of the UK’s largest sustainability-linked infrastructure projects including the Portsmouth Water on the Havant Thicket Reservoir. The environmentally led scheme, is the first new reservoir in the UK for over 40 years and will secure water supplies for the future, while protecting rare and renowned chalk streams.

As a result, the firm and partner Steve Gummer were recognised in the inaugural Legal 500 Green Guide.

Our ‘Green Steves’ series

As part of our commitment to helping local authorities innovate in the green space, our infrastructure and energy partner, Steve Gummer has teamed up with Steve Cirell to produce a series of thought pieces about what local authorities could be doing to further the green agenda.

Wherever possible, Sharpe Pritchard purchases Fairtrade products.

We like things to be fair. We are happy to pay the Fairtrade Premium because this benefits farmers and workers, as well as their wider communities and the planet.

These communities spend the Fairtrade Premium money on whatever they see fit, which could include water conservation, tree planting or solar energy projects.

Through Fairtrade, farmers and workers have the opportunity to invest in their future. Fairtrade also prohibits child labour and works to combat its root causes.

To find our how we can help you, please contact us today

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