Five tips for IP attorney firms on climate change

In the face of climate change, IP firms are presented with both challenges and opportunities. To adapt and thrive in this evolving landscape.

This article provides five essential tips to guide IP firms and the professionals working within them to being sustainable.

1. Measuring emissions & setting targets

Embark on your firm's climate journey by gathering your baseline emissions data.

For direct energy use, IP firms may use metered (or sub-metered) data. If this data is unavailable, utilise data from utility bills, purchase receipts and contracts.

Travel data can usually be found in an expense management system or via purchase records. Commuting and remote work emissions data can be obtained through surveys to employees and information regarding purchased goods and services may be obtained the data from your suppliers directly .

Record this data and establish a science-aligned emissions reduction target. Embed a robust emissions reduction plan with associated timeframes. Click here to go to our jargon busters article for more.

Communicate your position transparently, contextualising it with the areas your firm has been able to track. No one is expecting you to have every aspect of your business recorded, tracked, reported, and reduced from day one.

The journey to net zero is a multi-year one and on that evolves as your firm grows and diversifies. The key is to start the process to the best of your ability. The associated processes as well as your data gathering itself will evolve and improve over time as you continue to repeat your calculations.

Consider the impact your firm can have through the advice it gives to its clients on certain matters, otherwise known as 'advised emissions’, and in choosing which clients to work with. In practical terms, advised emissions could include the indirect consequences of your firm's recommendations, such as encouraging certain business practices that may have environmental implications. For example, advising a client on matters involving industries with high emissions or providing guidance that indirectly leads to increased resource consumption could contribute to these advised emissions.

As sustainability becomes a more significant factor in decision-making, businesses are under greater scrutiny for their overall impact, extending beyond direct operational practices.

2. Incorporate sustainability into operations

Show your firm is leading by example by adopting and implementing sustainable practices that showcase your commitment to sustainability.

Internal communications and encouragement of employee, client and suppler behaviour change is key to the successful implementation of these.

Some sustainable practices include:

A light switch-off policy
Travel to work policy
Introduction of plant-based food options
Reduce printing
Recycling
Ensure effective recycling/waste management is in place
Cycle-to-work scheme

These practices can reduce your emissions footprint, enhance your operational efficiency, and cut expenses, all of which can positively impact your business.

3. Appoint someone to ensure you stay informed on environmental regulations

The impact of climate change often leads to the introduction of new environmental regulations, making it crucial for your IP firm and the professionals within it to stay informed about these developments.

Appoint at least one climate champion in your business - whose role will be to stay up to date on changing regulations and assess how they may impact your firm and its services. This designated person can take the lead on all sustainability-related matters, with support from staff, and contribute to internal communications and updates whenever there are changes to report to the rest of the business.

Proactively understand changes to safeguard your firm’s business interests and establish reporting mechanisms that will position you as an ethical, transparent, and valuable partner to clients and suppliers.

4. The power of employee engagement

Actively involve employees in discussions about climate change as this is crucial for creating a trust-based, transparent, and sustainable culture. This can be achieved by including employees in the process of capturing emissions data, developing plans, and setting targets, as they will play a key role in enabling reductions and meeting targets.

Publish your emissions and targets to your employees, communicate new approaches and policies internally, and embed climate action plans and policies into your firm’s recruitment and company induction processes. Integrate sustainable practices into your daily operations, influencing your firm’s overall approach to climate change. Engaged employees are not only more likely to contribute to the conversation but also to identify opportunities for operational efficiency, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

5. External stakeholder relationships

Engage with your firm’s key external stakeholders regarding your climate action plans. This will enhance the sustainability of your operations and create a pathway to developing innovative ideas and valuable partnerships that help minimise your organisations impact.

Establish open lines of communication with clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders.  Gather feedback from these groups to glean valuable insights into areas where they perceive improvements can be made by your organisation. Initiate a conversation with your suppliers and clients to explore potential quick wins within your processes. See the Greening Your Suppliers article for more information.

Reassess relationships if clients and suppliers exhibit a reluctance to participate in the climate change conversation and collaborate with stakeholders who willingly engage in discussions about climate change. This will reinforce your firm’s alignment with environmental values and net zero goals. It also sets your firm up for long-term supplier and client engagement success.