CITMA wins sustainability initiative award
Our net zero programme has been recognised as sector-leading example of sustainability innovation.
We are delighted to announce that CITMA has won the prestigious MemCom Best Sustainability Initiative Award, recognising our approach to leading environmental change across the IP legal profession.
The award was presented at the recent MemCom Awards, where we competed against other distinguished organisations including: the British Association of Dermatologists, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, National Office of Animal Health, and Royal College of Physicians.
MemCom described the competition as "tougher than ever, with a record number of entries and a rigorous two-stage judging process," making our win particularly significant.
Click here to visit our award-winning net zero hub
A victory for the entire IP profession
Richard Hayward, CITMA Head of PR & Communications, said: "This is an award for the whole IP profession. Everyone who has been involved – from the firms and individuals who have signed our pledge, to the members who have engaged with our knowledge hub, to our working group who have driven this initiative forward – should feel immensely proud.
“This recognition demonstrates that when we work together as a profession, we can create meaningful change that extends far beyond our immediate operations. We're not just talking about sustainability; we're actively leading the way and showing what's possible when a profession unites around a common goal.
“There is a lot of work still to do, but our goal is to make the IP profession a beacon of sustainability. We would encourage any firm who has not yet signed our pledge to consider adding their name to it.”
Our approach: leading by example and mobilising change
Our award-winning initiative combines two strategies: working towards our own net zero target whilst mobilising our entire profession as a force for environmental change.
We've already achieved carbon neutral status for the past few years, as certified by Climate Action for Associations (CAFA), and have set a clear pathway to net zero, set by our Council.
Our partnership with CAFA has provided us with expert support and resources to systematically measure and reduce our emissions across all our operations.
Creating systemic change through our members
Whilst we're proud of our internal achievements, we recognise that our greatest impact comes through engaging our members who have influence within firms and corporations throughout the UK and beyond.
Our net zero pledge, launched alongside our comprehensive knowledge hub, has already attracted 15 firm signatories and 50 individual pledges. These early adopters are creating a growing network of "green champions" across the legal sector, amplifying our impact far beyond our direct membership.
The pledge is designed to be inclusive and practical, recognising that our members are at different stages in their sustainability journeys.
Whether you're a solo practitioner working from home or part of a large attorney firm with 100+ staff, we've developed our initiative through extensive consultations to ensure it meets your needs with realistic, achievable goals.
Demonstrable impact
Our commitment to data-driven sustainability has delivered impressive results:
- Our conference emissions in 2024 were 49% lower than the UK average, mitigating 11 tonnes of CO₂e
- We've conducted validated emissions analyses of our key events to establish benchmarks and identify areas for improvement
- We've implemented sustainable best practices across our events programme, including using e-cargo bikes for London event deliveries, creating rail discount schemes to encourage sustainable transport, and eliminating single-use items
Our expert articles on the knowledge hub provide members with practical tools, best practices, and reliable information they can trust and act upon with confidence.
Join us on the journey
This award recognition is not the end of our sustainability journey – it's a milestone that inspires us to do even more. We're committed to deepening our engagement with members through our ongoing work, which includes quarterly newsletters, plans for roundtable sessions, educational webinars, and continuous expansion of our knowledge hub.
How you can get involved
Whether your firm has already signed our pledge or you're just beginning to explore sustainability, there's a place for you in our net zero community:
For firms: Sign our Net Zero Pledge and join the growing number of organisations publicly committing to climate action. Your firm's logo will be featured on our pledge signatories page, and you'll nominate up to three "green champions" to serve as key contacts for sustainability initiatives.
For individuals: Make your personal commitment to advancing net zero goals by signing our individual pledge. You'll receive regular updates on our progress and invitations to sustainability resources and events.
For everyone: Explore our knowledge hub for the latest insights, best practices, and practical tools to integrate sustainability into your professional life.
Setting the pace for climate action
As we stated in our award submission: "This is not just about keeping up with change; it's about setting the pace and leading by example." This win demonstrates that the IP legal profession is ready to be a beacon of sustainability, showing that our commitment to progress extends far beyond the realms of intellectual property.
Together, we can demonstrate the united commitment of our profession to sustainability and climate action. By joining forces, sharing knowledge, and taking decisive action, we're positioning the IP legal sector as a leader in sustainability, setting an example for other professions and industries to follow.
Visit our net zero hub today to explore our resources and sign the Net Zero Pledge. Let's build on this momentum and create a sustainable future for our profession.