We are committed to achieving net zero status by 2030, twenty years before the Government’s proposed 2050 deadline.
The environment is high on a lot of people’s agendas. However as we all well know, it is action, not words, which are required to make a difference. Our management team are keen to lead by example, and to reach beyond our obligations and so set a benchmark for others to follow. So:
To maintain paper usage at 50% of historic levels.
To achieve net zero status by 2030.
To keep travel at under 50% of historic levels, and reduce the following year by a further 10%.
In 2021, we cut CO2 emissions as a result of paper usage by 54% compared to 2019.
Travel in 2021 was 15% of historic levels.
As a result of recycling, in 2021 we saved 415 trees, 56 m3 of landfill, 102,585 kwH, 11,714kg CO2, and 781,600 litres of water.
In 2021, we doubled our contribution to the Cycle to Work Scheme to enable people to choose electric bikes
Due to the energy mix we have chosen, CO2 emissions as a result of our power usage is zero, against the UK average equivalent of 9,000 kg CO2.
In the summer of 2021, Ward Hadaway joined the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance.
The Alliance was set up to encourage organisations to take a more eco-friendly approach to early talent recruitment. With over half a million graduate vacancies and apprenticeships annually, the impact across the industry promises to be significant.
As an early signatory of the pledge and one of a handful of law firms, we committed to review, reduce and report on its trainee and apprentice recruitment processes and as a result identify more sustainable alternatives.
Like everyone else, we have for many years handed out post-it notes, highlighter pens, stress balls and chargers at careers fairs. Our teams have travelled the country to attract the best talent to our firm. Whilst our aspirations remain the same, the way we do it is changing.
As part of our pledge to the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance, we commit to reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint by not producing any ‘freebies’, and to cut our travel by taking advantage of the move to digital alternatives by many of the universities.
By doing so, we are leading by example in our sector, adding our voice to an impressive list of signatories including Clifford Chance, Aviva, Vodafone and Co-op who are encouraging businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their early talent recruitment.
As a result of which we were delighted to recognised with a national award. We walked away with the Sustainability in Early Talent Recruitment Award 2022, at the targetjobs Awards, judged by industry professionals, seeing off the likes of PwC, L’Oréal and Johnson Matthey Plc.
We look forward to seeing future applicants go through our new process, which we are confident strikes the right balance between sustainability and giving candidates a great experience and insight into Ward Hadaway and its culture. We will continue to ask candidates for feedback on our processes, to ensure that we are offering the best possible experience of the firm.
This is just one of many environmental initiatives that Ward Hadaway is undertaking. The next generation of lawyers strongly influence our responsible business strategy, so it is essential that our early talent recruitment efforts are conducted in the most environmentally friendly fashion possible.
Giving back to the communities in which we operate has always been, and will continue to be, a key priority for Ward Hadaway.
Our people are our most important asset. We have spent many years building a business and a team to be extremely proud of.