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Our vision
Minimising and where possible eliminating our carbon footprint is a business priority at Kennedys. We understand that we have a fundamental part to play in the fight against climate change. To address this, we have set ourselves ambitious emissions reduction targets and we are working hard to improve our environmental performance. Simultaneously we are educating and raising awareness around climate change within Kennedys and further afield.
We value the relationships with our people, suppliers and clients who have played and continue to play a vital role in our carbon reduction journey. Similarly we value the partnerships we’ve established, whose ambitions align with our own and whose work addresses the most pressing environmental concerns.
We commit to being a net zero firm by 2040, and to contribute positively to an environment which is healthy, safe and prosperous for our generation and those to come.
Our environmental commitments
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2020 we made a commitment to prioritise five of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of those five goals, SDG13 - climate action requires us to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDG 13 underpins our environmental work and priorities. Whether its building knowledge and capacity to meet climate change, or integrating climate change measures into our policies and planning, SDG 13 steers our environmental agenda.
Carbon reduction forms a pivotal part of our SDG 13 commitment. To meet this commitment we have set bold carbon reduction targets in line with The Paris Agreement.
Kennedys achieves SBTi validation for ambitious net zero target
Kennedys’ net zero target has been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We are committed to reducing global Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 90% by FY2040 (from a FY2020 baseline), with the remaining 10% offset through carbon removal projects.
Carbon reduction
Our environmental commitments drive forward our ambition to be a net zero firm.
In August 2022, we had our near-term carbon reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and in October 2024. we had our net zero target approved also. We have committed to reducing:
- Scope 1 and 2 emissions, such as those produced through heating our buildings and purchasing electricity, by 70% by FY2030 from a FY2020 baseline year.
- Scope 3 emissions, such as those produced through business travel and across our supply chain, by 28% by FY2030 from a FY2020 baseline year.
- Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% by FY2040 from a FY2020 baseline year, and offsetting the remaining 10% of residual emissions through carbon removal projects.
Our global carbon reduction journey
We are proud to publish the details of our global carbon reduction journey, which aligns with Science Based Targets (SBT). Through this journey we have evidenced our commitment to bold action to reduce our carbon footprint.
In 2024, we committed to being a net zero firm by 2040 through the SBTi. We have several key initiatives to achieve our near-term and net zero targets:
- Procuring electricity by renewable means across all its global offices by 2030;
- Revising the firm’s business travel policy to align with sustainability goals;
- Engaging with suppliers to understand their environmental ambitions, and to encourage suppliers to set their own emission reduction targets;
- Educating employees through initiatives including an annual Climate Action campaign, online e-learning and a workshop for senior leaders.
Kennedys’ annual Eco Awareness Week
For the past two years we have hosted an ‘Eco Awareness Week’ initiative for our people, centred around the themes of climate and environmental sustainability.
Throughout the week we provide an exciting and engaging series of talks, webinars and resources that demonstrate what the firm is doing to minimise our carbon footprint. The initiative also equips our people with the knowledge to navigate the environmental space responsibly and with confidence.
Our Eco Awareness Week in April 2023 coincided with Earth Day. We heard from Carbon Intelligence, our expert consultants, who talked us through the importance of setting science-based carbon reduction targets, as well as Dr Matt Winning, an environmental economist and comedian. We were also joined by Leonie Brabant of The Chancery Lane Project, a global non-profit that promotes the incorporation of climate-friendly clauses into everyday legal drafting.
We are already looking forward to Eco Awareness Week 2024!
Partnerships
Our partnerships align with and support the achievement of the UN SDGs relating to climate action and emissions reduction targets and our aspiration to reach net zero by 2050.
Carbon Intelligence are an environmental services consultancy firm, helping businesses to measure their carbon footprint and take action to reduce it. Kennedys formed a business alliance with Carbon Intelligence in February 2021 and have been collaborating with the team ever since.
Coffee sold in the London canteen is provided by Change Please. The coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified and is carbon neutral to the point of delivery. 100% of the profits made from Change Please coffee help provide those experiencing homelessness with a living wage, housing, training, and onward opportunities.
Ocean Bottle are turning the plastic problem into a force for good. The Ocean Bottle model supports the principles of recycling, waste-derived products, and circularity, and in turn provides a livelihood for those in regions where plastic pollution is worst.
We partner with food waste charity OLIO to ensure that surplus food is shared and not thrown away. Any leftover food from our London canteen is donated to OLIO and redistributed to the homelessness, food banks and those less fortunate.
The Canopy Project improves our shared environment by planting trees across the globe. Since 2010, EARTHDAY.ORG has planted tens of millions of trees with The Canopy Project, working worldwide to strengthen communities. Launched in April 2022, this partnership means our people have can make a difference through planting trees, and we have committed to donate £5 to plant a tree for every hour of volunteer time that is recorded.
Network groups
We are proud to play a part in our external network groups to address important environmental challenges.
Since its inception in 2007, the LSA have been at the forefront of sustainability for UK-based law firms. The LSA is the only not-for-profit sustainability network run by law firms for law firms.
Our partnership with The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) enables our lawyers to assist their clients to implement their own climate action objectives.
The Clean City Awards Scheme (CCAS) is run by the City of London Corporation to help drive sustainable business. They assist City of London businesses to improve in areas such as sustainability engagement, single-use plastic prevention and air quality.
The Greener Litigation Pledge is an industry-led commitment to take an action to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution in England and Wales, in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement's aim of limiting global warming to 1.5°C or below. The pledge sets out practical changes litigators can commit to in the journey towards net zero.
Reporting
In order to meet our carbon reduction commitments we have produced an Environmental Policy. This policy applies globally and is communicated to all employees, contractors and visitors.
Key contacts
Ben is Head of Kennedys’ Corporate and Commercial Division and a member of the firm’s Global Board. He is also the Global Board Sustainability sponsor.
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.
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.
