The global landscape grows more complex, the rollercoaster continues and the polycrisis deepens. Yet the imperative for responsible business remains, and even as barriers increase, the legal sector finds innovative and practical ways to respond. There are encouraging examples of this momentum. Below, you can read about the IBA’s new Nature-Intelligent Legal Services Toolkit, Osborne Clarke’s introduction of an integrated financial and carbon budget, and WCL’s Clean Water Now campaign. Work like this is both inspiring and a reminder that progress is more than possible; it is vital. For its part, the LSA is finalising its strategy for the next two years, moving towards a more active programme focused on impact, engagement, and climate action. Our aim is to build an LSA that is future-fit, whatever that future may hold, supporting a healthy planet fit for future generations. The strategy reflects feedback from the recent LSA survey, particularly the desire for stronger member-to-member engagement and greater support in embedding sustainability across firms. However, these ambitions can only be realised through collaboration. The strength of the LSA lies in the commitment and engagement of its members. As you will see below, the LSA survey is still open, so if you haven't had your say, please do so before the end of March. Please also continue to share your stories and challenges with me and the team – we always love to hear from you.
Best wishes, Amanda Carpenter
LSA Secretariat
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The LSA Survey – Results Are In |
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Thanks to all who completed the LSA Survey, which has offered valuable insights into the service we offer and how it is used in firms.
In particular, members find the 'Ask the Alliance' interaction helpful, but felt it could work better for them. We will be exploring this as part of the new LSA website, to be launched later in 2026.
Feedback on the issues that matter most to members has helped us shape this year’s priorities and will feed into our strategy for 2026-28, currently in development.
It is also clear that some colleagues don't receive the bulletin or know how to sign up to it. Please share the following link for sign up via LinkedIn, your intranet, or any other ways you have of communicating with colleagues.
https://legalsustainabilityalliance.com/#sign-up
If your firewall stops you from receiving the communication, please talk to your IT team, who may need to add us to your safe list. The survey is still live so please have your say below, if you haven't already. |
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Is Nature Governance the New Frontline for Climate? |
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We’ve heard a lot about AI – now let’s talk about nature intelligence. The launch of the 'International Bar Association’s ‘Nature-Intelligent Legal Services Toolkit' could not be better timed, coming hot on the heels of the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment. If the latter provided a stark warning to businesses who ignore our dependencies upon ‘ecosystem services’ at their peril, the IBA’s new Toolkit offers a business case and strategies for legal service providers (LSPs) to advise on nature-related risks. It helps law firms to evaluate client risk exposure (by sector) and suggests actionable steps for starting clients on their nature governance journey. More generally, it provides advice and templates for embedding nature across legal advice.
In recognition of the growing importance of nature impacts and risk, Achill Legal’s new Nature Lead, Imogen O’Rorke, reports on her progress since joining in January in the blog below. |
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Putting the Sustainable into Procurement
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Thank you to all who attended the launch of the LSA's new guide to sustainable procurement. The Sustainable Procurement Working Group have developed a resource exclusively for LSA member firms - The Sustainability Data Request Template. Please email Asia on manager@legalsustainabilityalliance.com for your copy. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further feedback, and view the guide here.A summary of questions and key takeaways from the launch: 1. How can we support SMEs without overwhelming them?- There was strong agreement that SMEs need proportionate, simplified requirements to make sustainability accessible and practical for smaller suppliers
- Templates could help, but must avoid rigid “one size fits all” standards
- Education and training are critical (e.g. supplier workshops)
- The LSA is seen as well-placed to coordinate sector-wide support
4. How can we work with suppliers on this? - Bring suppliers “on a journey” with clear expectations and timelines
- Offer training/support (e.g. via Heart of the City or UN Global Compact programmes)
- Some organisations (e.g. NHS) are already setting exclusion thresholds for non-aligned suppliers
- Over time, lack of alignment becomes a risk issue
- Support first, but alignment will increasingly be required
2. Where to start in the supply chain? - Segment suppliers: focus first on high-spend/high-impact vendors
- Don’t request data you won’t use
- Start with governance basics (environmental, human rights, DEI policies)
- Prioritise suppliers where you have leverage
- Be strategic and decision-led, not data-led
3. What are the data challenges? - Spend-based emissions don’t track real reductions and increase with growth
- Many firms are struggling to meet near-term Scope 3 targets already
- Supplier data is inconsistent and often unverifiable
- Collaboration across firms may be necessary to influence large suppliers
- Scope 3 is a shared, systemic challenge requiring collective solutions
5. Role of AI - AI may help scrape public sustainability data from annual reports
- Could reduce burden by pre-populating supplier information for validation
- Verification and consistency remain challenges
- AI can assist but won’t solve governance and quality issues alone
Key takeaways: - Don’t try and collect data you don’t need
- Collaboration is essential – no firm can solve this alone
- Cross-functional involvement (procurement, finance, risk) is vital
- Read the guide, implement it, and provide feedback for future iterations
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Stuck on Your Carbon Footprint? |
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Send your questions to be dealt with anonymously by our panel consisting of carbon experts and two members of law firms who have successfully navigated the twists and turns of carbon management.
Troubleshooting Carbon Counting – a Q&A session for small and medium-sized firms, packed full of practical advice.
Date: 17 March, 2-3pm. Register here.
Send questions to: manager@legalsustainabilityalliance.com
This event is part of the new LSA series for small- and medium-sized firms – The Carbon Foundations – Upskilling Legal Professionals on Carbon Management. |
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Struggling to Engage Colleagues with Sustainability? |
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The first session of our new Engagement Working Group took place on the 24th of February. Huge thanks to all who attended. We scoped out topics to explore, shared ideas around the challenge of engaging colleagues with climate in order to build stronger sustainability cultures, empower employees to take action, and communicate progress in authentic, engaging ways.
We plan to develop a new toolkit on how to run a successful green week, as well as exploring areas such as the different approaches to internal training, ways to launch employee sustainability champion networks, effective strategies for engaging and partnering with comms teams, ideas for internal campaigns and focus areas and creative ways to celebrate impact and maintain momentum.
To register your interest in joining the working group, please email manager@legalsustainabilityalliance.com. |
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Global Net Zero Needs You! |
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The Climate Policy Monitor, based at Oxford University, is currently looking for more law firms to take part in this year's climate policy survey. The groundbreaking analysis is expanding to cover three new topics this year: green buildings, trade measures and sustainable aviation. The team at the University of Oxford is also looking for a UK-based law firm to cover the topic of methane, to analyse the UK's national policies on methane abatement.
Participating in the survey is an impactful way to meet your pro bono commitments, and there are exclusive benefits for participating firms such as access to exclusive events and discounted executive education. If you are working on these topics and willing to take part in this year's annual survey, please do get in touch with the Net Zero Hub team at Oxford on: netzerohub@bsg.ox.ac.uk. |
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Wildlife and Countryside Link: 'Clean Water Now' Campaign |
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This year is make-or-break for England’s rivers, wetlands, and coastlines, with an upcoming water law providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally clean up our waters.
Supported by 40 leading conservation organisations, Wildlife and Countryside Link's Clean Water Now campaign was launched this month in the Houses of Parliament, calling for an ambitious Water Reform Bill that sets binding pollution limits at the regional level, establishes a regulator with the Environment Act and Climate Change Act targets as a core duty, and improves national targets.
The campaign also calls for a Bill that holds polluters to account, bans harmful chemicals, tightens permitting restrictions for intensive agriculture, and establishes a legal requirement for water companies to act in the public interest to achieve environmental improvement.
Where freshwater and marine wildlife has been allowed to dwindle, the Bill should improve access to wildlife corridors along England’s rivers, put nature-based solutions first wherever they can work, and strengthen powers to stop the destructive spread of non-native species.
The accompanying report offers analysis of the evolving legal and policy landscape surrounding water protection and governance, outlining the urgent action needed to:
- Stop the polluters − clamp down on sewage, restrict intensive agriculture, and ban toxic chemical pollution.
- Fix the system − stop water companies from putting profit before people and nature.
- Restore nature − create new natural habitats along rivers and coastlines.
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Ask the Alliance – Network Support |
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On behalf of the LSA, we would like to thank all those who have generously given their time to help colleagues since our last bulletin.
Please don't hesitate to send in your questions for the network to manager@legalsustainabilityalliance.com, and we will ask members of the network for their help. |
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The LSA’s strength lies in the collective knowledge of our network, and by working together and sharing best practice, we can achieve even greater impact. |
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Please get in touch via comms@legalsustainabilityalliance.com with your stories so that we can feature them here. |
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Business Travel – the Osborne Clarke Story
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We love hearing from member firms about the innovative ways they are tackling carbon emissions. This month, a colleague at Osborne Clarke emailed to highlight her firm's policy on business travel, which deploys an integrated carbon and financial budget – allocating a carbon price to reward good travel behaviour.
We spoke to Pranjal Mathur, ESG Data Analyst, who has been instrumental to the initiative, to find out more. |
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| | A huge welcome to Stephenson Harwood LLP and the Government Legal Department who have joined the LSA. We look forward to working with them. |
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| | Eversheds Sutherland funding is helping families discover the wonders of wetlands, tackling one of the biggest barriers to nature – access – by helping schools and youth groups cover transport costs to and from WWT wetland centres. |
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| | Linklaters has relocated its global HQ to 20 Ropemaker Street after 30 years at One Silk Street. The 360,000-square-foot building is designed to BREEAM 'Outstanding' and WELL 'Platinum' standards with over 500 cycle storage spaces, dedicated active commuter entrance, zero waste to landfill, and efficient energy/water use. |
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Troubleshooting Carbon Counting – Everything You Need to Know About How to Measure, Manage, and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint |
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Date: 17 March
Time: 2pm
Location: Online
Unsure about where to start with your carbon footprint? Where to find the data? How to engage colleagues? This event will be a Q&A session for small and medium-sized firms, packed full of practical advice from carbon experts and legal professionals who have already navigated carbon counting.
Please send questions in advance to manager@legalsustainabilityalliance.com, with the option of remaining anonymous.
This event is part of the new LSA series for small and medium-sized firms – The Carbon Foundations – Upskilling Legal Professionals on Carbon Management.
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The Future of Flying – Can Aviation Ever Be Sustainable?
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Date: 24 March
Time: 6pm
Location: Womble Bond Dickinson
This exclusive event will offer a focused overview of the aviation sector’s net zero roadmap, airline performance, current market conditions, and future outlook – exploring the pathways toward decarbonisation, including the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and evolving policy frameworks.
Speaker:
Chris Truss – Global Sustainability Director, Reed & Mackay
Limited spaces; if you are a member of the LSA and interested in attending, please email us on manager@legalsustainabilityalliance.com.
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Sustainability Dates for Your Diary |
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International Day of Forests – 21.03.26
A UN observance highlighting the importance of all types of forests for climate regulation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Global Recycling Day – 18.03.26
Focuses on the role of recycling in a circular economy, resource efficiency and carbon reduction. World Water Day – 22.03.26
Raises global awareness of freshwater resources, access to safe water and the sustainable management of water for people and planet. The Great British Spring Clean – 13.03.26 – 29.03.26
UK national campaign from Keep Britain Tidy encouraging litterpicks and community cleanup activity.
International Day of Zero Waste – 30.03.26
Highlights the importance of reducing waste and promoting sustainable waste management and circular economy initiatives.
Earth Day 2026 – 22.04.26
The world’s largest non-religious observance, Earth Day promotes environmental awareness and encourages immediate action.
Stop Food Waste Day – 29.04.26
A dedicated day to highlight the staggering economic, social, and environmental impacts of food waste. It encourages governments, businesses, and individuals to implement strategies to reduce waste from farm to fork.
No Mow May
Not mowing the lawn allows flowers to fully bloom, providing essential early-season nectar and pollen for vital pollinators like bees and butterflies.
International Day for Biological Diversity – 22.05.26
Serves as a global reminder to protect ecosystems that support human well-being and to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
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Sometimes we record our events, which you can watch via the resource library on our website.
- Understanding Ecocide Law – Why businesses and law firms should engage – A webinar taking a deep dive into Ecocide Law and what it means for law firms and their clients
- LSA’s Guide to Business Travel – A webinar launching the LSA’s new guide to business travel, with members of the working group who worked on the publication
- LSA’s Guide to TCFD – A webinar launching the LSA’s new guide to TCFD, with members of the working group who worked on the publication
- Introducing the LSA Academy – A webinar launching the LSA Academy – designed to meet the growing demand for sustainability skills across our membership organisations, while leveraging apprenticeship levy funding
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Please encourage everyone in your firm to sign up for this bulletin here. |
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