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Our three-year responsible business plan, launched in 2023, sets out how we will adapt to our changing world and integrate responsible business throughout our firm: from how we make decisions, to how we build an inclusive culture, decarbonise our operations and support our people to thrive at work.
Our intention is always to do the right thing and proactively take responsibility for our impact on people and the planet.
In addressing our impacts on people and the planet, we work with and are members of a number of external organisations. Explore our extensive certifications and affiliations.
Responsible business report 2023 - 2024
This year’s Responsible Business report is a record of the actions we have taken against the demanding targets we have set for ourselves over the past few years. But it is also a statement of intent from our senior leadership to go further and do more to meet our goals.
2023 - 2024 global highlights
Our approach to responsible business
The world is facing unprecedented environmental and societal crises. Businesses need to change the way they operate to align with a sustainable future. That is why Kennedys is working towards ambitious sustainability goals and addressing its material social and environmental impacts throughout its value chain. We are integrating responsible business into our governance, operations and decision-making, and implementing our roadmap to transform the firm.
We are a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which involves making a commitment to ensuring the Ten Principles across a respect for human rights, labour rights, environment and anti-corruption are incorporated into our firm. To set our goals, we use the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, an internationally recognised plan that aims to address global issues of poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
To deliver the strategy, we have a Responsible Business Plan 2023-25, which has five strategic objectives.
Every three years we conduct a double materiality assessment to identify our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities, which we have translated into several commitments and goals that address five priority SDGs:
Commitment: Support the health and wellbeing of our people.
- By 2025, we will launch our Wellbeing Champions programme globally and will have trained 100 Mental Health First Aiders.
Commitment: Support Promote fulfilling employment, economic independence and better access to the legal profession.
- By 2030, we will help at least 2,000 under-resourced individuals to enter fulfilling employment through outreach activities.
- By 2026, 100% of our employees globally earn a living wage.
Commitment: Reduce inequality across our firm, creating equal opportunities for all.
- By 2030, we aim to have a 40% female partnership globally.
- Each year, we aim for 10% of those promoted to partnership in the UK to come from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Commitment: Reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across our value chain by FY2040.
- By FY2030, we will reduce our absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% from a FY2020 base year.
- By FY2030, we will reduce our absolute Scope 3 emissions by 28%, relative to a FY2020 base year.
- By FY2040, we will reduce our absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% relative to a FY2020 base year.
Commitment: Develop a co-ordinated, targeted and impactful pro bono programme.
- By 2030, we will provide impactful pro bono support to at least 600 individuals, charities or social enterprises globally.
- By 2030, we will increase employee participation in community impact and pro bono initiatives by 30% globally.
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Key contacts
Kate is Kennedys' global head of responsible business. She sets the responsible business strategy with the aim of integrating responsible business into the firm’s operations.
Ben is Head of Kennedys’ Corporate and Commercial Division and the partner sponsor for Responsible Business.
Marianne is our Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and oversees our DE&I programmes and initiatives around the world.
Michelle is Kennedys’ Senior Social Impact Manager, overseeing Thrive Together, our global social impact programme, which empowers our people to drive meaningful change through volunteering and community initiatives.
Jennifer is our global wellbeing manager, who oversees our work to support the health and wellbeing of our people.
Olivia is Kennedys' Sustainability & Environmental Manager. She overseas the measurement of Kennedys' annual carbon footprint and implements initiatives which aim to drive down the firms global emissions.