BSN Bulletin
Your news from the Bar Sustainability Network |
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Welcome to this new look bulletin from the Bar Sustainability Network. Achill Legal are delighted to be providing the full secretariat for the BSN. Having worked with the Bar Council to establish and support the network from its inception, and bringing over 10 years of experience delivering sustainability networks across the legal sector, we are well placed to build on the strong foundations established by the Bar Council and to grow the BSN in the future. There are significant challenges facing all parts of the legal sector: economic uncertainty, shifting political landscapes, ESG backlash and increased regulatory frameworks - but the largest challenge is the disruptive impact of climate change. Whether you are a commercial or criminal set, climate change will affect you. It may be directly through commercial client pressure to measure and reduce your carbon impact, or indirectly through economics in your supply chain. No individual or business is immune. However, at Achill Legal we recognise the complexities facing chambers when measuring emissions and engaging your colleagues with sustainability. Over the coming year the BSN will be here to support you with a range of events, working groups and materials.
We would welcome a conversation about how you can get more from your membership of the BSN – please email me if you want to chat or have any suggestions. On behalf of the whole Achill Legal team we really look forward to working with you. Amanda Carpenter
CEO, Achill Legal |
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Your membership - what to expect? |
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The BSN currently has 42 members across the commercial and criminal bar. The network is here to help you as you transition to net zero; measuring and managing emissions, and supporting colleagues to take positive action to reduce our collective impact on the planet. We offer events, resources, working groups and peer to peer support. There are lots of opportunities to get involved. - Regular bulletins (every 6-8 weeks) informing you about events, sector-wide news, resources and sustainability updates
- A schedule of events to support you on your sustainability journey, kicking off with the webinar - “Engagement: How to engage fellow barristers/senior management within your chambers” - more details to follow
- Resources to inform and equip you to decarbonise and engage colleagues with your efforts
Working Groups
We are looking for members to join our working groups: - Business Travel - Managing & Understanding Emissions
- Understanding & Measuring Carbon Emissions
These meet virtually & in person and are facilitated by a member of the Achill Legal team. Working groups offer opportunities to learn from each other and to develop ideas which can then be shared more widely with the network. If you would like to be involved please contact your BSN main point of contact, Camilla, on manager@barsustainabilitynetwork.com.
To find out more about Achill Legal and the team running the secretariat please visit our website. |
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We asked changemakers in the Bar Sustainability Network why it is important to tackle climate change and how the BSN aims to support them.
"There are so many reasons to focus time and effort on making chambers more sustainable, but I'll mention three of them: - We are part of our clients' supply chains, and our sustainability is increasingly relevant to them and who they instruct;
- Sustainable choices can lead to efficiencies and so cost savings, particularly if chambers collaborate;
- In the face of the nature and climate crises, we can no longer turn away or shrug our shoulders or leave the change to others. We all have to act and the Bar Sustainability Network gives the tools and peer support to do so."
Estelle Dehon KC, Co-chair of the Climate Crisis Working Group
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"The BSN, supported by Clyde & Co and DWF, offers strategic leadership and guidance to members, helping them transition to a net zero future including the provision of learning resources, hosting events, and facilitating networking opportunities which share best practices and drive collective actions." Patrick Linighan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Clyde & Co LLP, Supporters of the BSN
---------- "The DWF carbon footprint includes emissions attributed to barristers in our supply chain both externally and through services provided by our own in-house DWF chambers. Working with Achill, Clyde & Co and the Bar Sustainability Network, we will support and empower members to embark on ambitious climate action enabling them to better understand their environmental impacts and calculate the associated carbon emissions." Kirsty Rogers, Chief Sustainability Officer, DWF, Supporters of the BSN
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Hold the date!Tuesday 24 June,10am -12pm Details to follow about the Rights of Nature Symposium, supported by Achill Legal, Fleet Street Quarter and ELF, exploring how we can build on the growing Rights of Nature discussion and create a movement for change that includes the key stakeholders and decision makers. Part of London Climate Action Week. To book your place please email manager@barsustainabilitynetwork.com. Finally, a bit of admin. As your renewal date approaches, your office will receive an email from us with an invoice attached. The bank details will be different to where you have paid previously. If you need confirmation of those details, please contact Camilla, who will be happy to help. |
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Sustainability dates for your diary |
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This isn't a comprehensive list, but these are the dates that have caught our attention:
Walk To School Week - 19th - 23rd May
This year’s challenge will see pupils take on The Great Space Walk, encouraging them to travel actively to school every day of the week. Why not join the younger generation, show your firm is engaged and tweak this to Walk (even some of the way) to Work week?
International Day for Biological Diversity - 22nd May
Raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the planet’s biological diversity.
World Environment Day - 5th June
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. In 2025, World Environment Day aims to raise global awareness of plastic pollution as a problem that can be fixed and to showcase solutions. This year’s observance comes as negotiators work towards finalising a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
World Ocean Day - 8th June
Highlighting the importance of the oceans for sustaining life on Earth, as well as the threats facing the oceans and the need for action to protect them.
London Climate Action Week - 21st - 29th June
LCAW aims to mobilise London’s unparalleled ecosystem of climate and non-climate organisations to accelerate global climate action and support action in London to ensure it acts as a global climate leader. See website for schedule of events held all across the capital.
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