In 2016, the UK ratified the Paris Agreement, committing to limit global warming to “well below 2°C” and strive for a 1.5°C cap above pre-industrial levels. This ambition is embedded in the Climate Change Act 2008, which legally binds the UK government to:
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2025 (a 100% reduction from 1990 levels)
- Set legally binding carbon budgets as milestones toward that goal
- Cut emissions by 68% by 2030 and 78% by 2035
These targets are shaping how businesses (including law firms) operate, backed by increasingly robust legislation.
The legal sector’s response: progress and gaps
The Law Society’s 2023 climate change guidance marked a turning point for solicitors, particularly Part A, which focuses on understanding and managing emissions. But as 2025 draws to a close, how far have firms come?
Research by Saffery reveals that 48 of the UK’s top 50 law firms have publicly committed to climate-related targets, yet only nine have disclosed time-bound carbon reduction goals for 2030 or net zero by 2050. While many firms are “well underway on their sustainability journeys,” meeting these commitments will require strategic shifts, investment, and operational re-evaluation.
One notable gap? Sustainability materiality assessments, only seven firms have published one. These assessments are vital for prioritising challenges and aligning resources effectively.
Why are firms making the leap?
Several factors are driving law firms toward net zero:
- Client & market pressure
Corporate clients increasingly demand ESG alignment from their legal advisors. Carbon credentials now feature in RFPs and onboarding processes. Firms that demonstrate sustainability gain a competitive edge and attract eco-conscious clients.
- Regulatory drivers
Frameworks like Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and upcoming UK Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SDS) push transparency, even for firms not directly regulated, because clients expect compliance-ready advisors.
- Financial & operational benefits
Cutting emissions reduces energy costs, improves efficiency, and mitigates reputational risk. ESG performance also correlates with stronger valuations and investor confidence.
- Talent attraction & retention
Younger lawyers want purpose-driven employers. Firms embedding sustainability report higher engagement and morale.
- Strategic Positioning
Climate litigation and ESG advisory work are growing practice areas. Leading on sustainability positions firms as credible advisors in these emerging fields.
Small firms, big impact
Regional firms like Wollens and Cartridges Law prove that meaningful change doesn’t require vast resources. Both emphasise internal culture:
- Cartridges Law created a “green team” of staff from across the firm to tackle sustainability goals collaboratively.
- Wollens began with a staff survey, revealing environmental concerns as a top priority.
These grassroots efforts show that staff engagement is key. When sustainability becomes part of a firm’s DNA, small actions, switching off lights, choosing greener suppliers, become second nature.
Practical steps include LED lighting, heat pumps, digital workflows, and eco-friendly servers. Wollens consolidated offices and embraced remote work, dramatically reducing its carbon footprint. Cartridges Law focused on building upgrades and flexible working to maximise space and minimise energy use. Their journeys prove that even small firms can make a big difference.
Landmark Information: driving change through collaboration
At Landmark Information, we believe sustainability is a shared responsibility. That’s why this year we’ve partnered with regional law societies to launch the Green Badge Initiative, a program that helps firms progress through three tiers based on their net zero journey.
Membership includes in-person training sessions covering:
- What net zero means
- How to collect emissions data
- Setting realistic targets
- Steps toward carbon reduction
We’re excited to see Bristol Law Society (BLS) leading the way by launching the initiative this January, with other regions set to follow. As one of the UK’s oldest and most respected regional law societies, BLS has made sustainability a core priority in recent years, introducing its Sustainable Business Award in 2021 and actively supporting firms in transitioning to greener office practices.
Beyond training, Landmark actively supports sustainability recognition. We sponsor regional law society awards celebrating green initiatives and encourage knowledge-sharing across the sector.
Innovating for impact: carbon removal at events
In October, at the Law Society of Scotland Annual Conference, we introduced a new approach: allowing attendees to offset their business travel. The project we sponsored focused on biochar, a carbon-removal technology that locks carbon underground for hundreds to thousands of years while improving soil health and crop yields.
Biochar is cited in the UK’s carbon-budget pathways as a key engineered greenhouse-gas removal method, projected to remove around 3 MtCO₂ annually by 2050, about 8% of the UK’s engineered GGR requirement.
Looking ahead
As the legal sector accelerates its sustainability efforts, Landmark Information remains committed to supporting solicitors every step of the way, through education, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we can turn ambition into action and help firms meet their net zero goals
Ready to take the next step toward a greener future? Explore our full range of Sustainability Services and discover how we can help your firm achieve its net zero ambitions.
Written by Sally Redman, Customer Success Consultant at Landmark Information.