Environment
MISSION STATEMENT
As a modern global law firm, we recognize our responsibility to carry out our business in a sustainable way. Our overall strategy is to minimize our environmental footprint.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Avoid Waste, Promote Recycling
We work to minimize consumption and thereby minimize waste. We promote recycling of as much of our waste as possible.
Business Buy-in
We regularly invite feedback from staff on which environment projects they feel need to be adopted. This is done through conference calls, presentations, and talks to groups and offices, as well as through the intranet site. Our Environment Committee considers all suggestions.
Think Globally, Act Locally
Our environment program is embedded in the fabric of the firm with full endorsement from our Board and International Management Committee. Each office is encouraged to develop and implement its own environment initiatives and to share best practices with other offices.
ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVES
Legal Sector Alliance on Climate Change and the Law Office Climate Change
Lovells was one of eighteen founder firms of the Legal Sector Alliance on Climate Change (LSA). Hogan Lovells continues to be an active member. The LSA provides firms with a practical guide to adopting environmentally sustainable practice. As part of our membership, the London office publishes its carbon footprint annually.
In the United States, we participate in the Law Office Climate Challenge, a joint program designed by the American Bar Association and the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages law offices to implement effective policies and measures to reduce their impact on the environment. By joining the program, we committed to take steps to reduce waste, use more renewable energy, reduce paper consumption by adopting best practices for office paper management, and to reduce energy consumption.
Waste and Energy Reduction
Energy Consumption
We strive to reduce our energy consumption by working with our buildings to ensure that lights, heating, and cooling systems are turned off when not in use. Staff are reminded to turn out office lights and computers when leaving in the evening (or even for significant periods of time during the day). In some offices, we have installed motion sensors that automatically turn off office lights when not in use.
Paper and Office Products
We promote the use of double-sided printing. In our London office alone, this saves an estimated 18 million sheets of paper per year.
We further minimize paper usage by using electronic methods to distribute office outputs such as bulletins, communications, and payroll, and by promoting the use of digital closing binders. A number of our offices have implemented the electronic routing of faxes.
In addition, many of our offices strive to minimize waste by using only non-disposable ware (glasses, china, and silverware) in conference rooms.
Recycling and Procurement
We promote the recycling of paper waste, cans, and glass and plastic bottles, as well as electronic waste. Some of our offices have hosted electronic waste or battery collection programs in which employees can bring in household waste for recycling.
In making procurement decisions, we also evaluate whether products are compostable or recyclable. In our U.S. offices, 25 percent of all office products purchased must meet a recycled-content minimum of 20 percent. In addition, in the London office, we consider the environmental credentials of each major supplier during the tender process.
Responsible Travel
We encourage staff to use public transport and bicycles to commute to work. We also encourage the use of video conferencing and public transport where possible, and have increased the use of trains between European offices.
For more information on our Environment Initiatives, please contact:
Dion Panambalana, London
Scott Reisch, Denver
, Washington, D.C.