Contributors
International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has been recognised for its commitment to operating sustainably in Bristol at a leading regional awards for the legal sector.
The firm won the Sustainable Business of the Year at the 2024 Bristol Law Society Awards and was spotlighted for its commitment to improving the environmental sustainability of its operations and activities across a number of fields, including measurable results and reductions in carbon footprint.
This past year has seen the firm's Bristol office in Temple Quay continue strong progress towards the achievement of its net zero goals, including a 55% reduction in emissions associated with energy usage compared with the baseline measurement year of 2019/20, and the development and launch of a new supplier code of conduct which sets out key expectations of their ESG commitments.
In addition, the firm has continued to work in partnership with the Landlord and Managing Agent to ensure electricity procured for use in the Bristol office is renewable or under the green tariff – with this making up 100% of electricity procured in the most recent reporting period.
Jon Bower, partner lead for net zero and head of WBD's Bristol office, said:
"We're honoured to be recognised by the Bristol Law Society for our commitment to operating sustainably with this accolade. Striving to make the communities and environment we live and work in better for all sits at the core of how we operate, and our offices and connections with the Bristol business community are key to delivering that.
"This is an area where progress should never stop. We're thrilled that our sustainable initiatives continue pushing the conversation forward, be it the further procurement of green energy or the implementation of data-driven programmes to positively reduce our environmental impact, and have been recognised as they are vital to ensuring we continue working towards a positive and sustainable future."
The firm also engages with the wider Bristolian community as part of its membership of the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership’s Climate Leaders Group, which brings together organisations ambitious to achieve carbon neutral by 2030. The Bristol office has also led an initiative in the firm to close off one of its wings on quieter days which has seen an increase in collaboration amongst colleagues, reduced lone working and also seen a reduction in energy consumption.
As a member, WBD shares its experiences of our journey to net zero by 2030 which was previously announced in 2021, to support, motivate and inspire others with the goal of accelerating Bristol’s progress towards
The firm had previously won the accolade in 2021 for continuous improvement to its environmental performance and for finding sustainable ways to enhance its environmental management.
The accolade is the latest for sustainable work undertaken by members of the Bristol office, with Jon Bower winning the 2024 Legal 500 ESG UK Environmental/Sustainability: Private Practice Champion award and senior responsible business manager Charlotte von Sicard winning the ESG Rising Star of the Year award at the same event.
