Climate
Making a difference for our planet
Making a difference for our planet means committing to concrete change. That’s why we are working with Planet Mark to measure, verify and reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions supporting our journey towards net zero.
- Working with Planet Mark, we’re accelerating our journey towards net zero by 2040 at the latest, supported by science-based emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
- We’re a certified B Corp and have held the ISO14001 environmental management standard since 2015
- 12 of our 13 offices are now powered by renewable electricity tariffs, and we aim to extend this to all locations by the end of 2026
- We are one of only 27 UK law firms listed in the Legal 500 Green Guide 2024 and 2025
- We had three lawyers named as Green Ambassadors in The Legal 500 Green Guide 2024, and 2 in 2025
- We are a signatory to the Greener Litigation Pledge and are members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance. This allows us to learn and share best practice with other businesses and collaborate to bring about environmental change. The Greener Litigation Pledge is an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution by aspiring to reach the position where the most environmentally sustainable options in litigation become the default.
Net Zero Transition Plan
We are committed to achieving net zero GHG emissions across our value chain by 2040, from a FY2024 baseline. Our approach is set out in our Net Zero Transition Plan, which aligns with the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Disclosure Framework and is informed by climate science and recognised best practice.
As a certified B Corp, we recognise our responsibility to operate in a way that benefits people, communities and the planet. Our Net Zero Transition Plan supports these commitments by setting out how we will reduce our GHG emissions and embed sustainability across our business.
The plan outlines our science-based emissions reduction targets and the practical actions we will take across our operations and supply chain to deliver them. The Plan has been completed in accordance with UK Government Procurement Policy Note 006 and associated guidance.
Our latest Net Zero Transition Plan.
Carbon Reduction Plan
Our Carbon Reduction Plan complements our Net Zero Transition Plan and has been prepared in accordance with UK Government Procurement Policy Note 006 and associated guidance. It sets out our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and the actions we are taking to reduce them in line with our net zero ambitions.
Our latest Carbon Reduction Plan.
Net Zero Action Group
To support delivery of our Net Zero Transition Plan, we have established a Net Zero Action Group, bringing together representatives from key Business Services teams across the firm.
The group is responsible for translating our net zero strategy into practical action across the firm’s operations. This includes identifying and implementing initiatives to reduce emissions in areas such as procurement, travel, technology, waste and office operations, and monitoring progress against our targets.
The Net Zero Action Group works closely with the Climate and Sustainability Advisory Group to ensure operational activity aligns with the firm’s strategic direction, and reports regularly to the Responsible Business Committee on progress, challenges and opportunities.
Through this collaborative approach, the group plays a central role in embedding sustainability into our day-to-day operations and delivering our net zero commitments.
Sustainability champions
Our Sustainability champions are a network of colleagues across Freeths’ offices who help bring our environmental ambitions to life at a local level.
They support the implementation of practical sustainability initiatives within offices, raise awareness among colleagues and encourage behaviours that help reduce our environmental impact.
Champions collaborate regularly to share ideas, support local initiatives and contribute to the firm’s wider sustainability goals. This includes supporting delivery of the Freeths Pledge, which empowers colleagues to take action in support of our Freeths IMPACT objectives — from everyday actions that help reduce our environmental impact to longer‑term commitments such as leading staff networks or supporting charities through pro bono work.
Environmental Policy
Our Environmental Policy sets out the principles and commitments that guide how we manage our environmental impact across the firm.
It supports our wider Sustainability Strategy and sits alongside our Net Zero Transition Plan, providing the framework for responsible environmental management across our operations.
Our accreditations and achievements
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"As a responsible business, our B Corp certification is testament to the hard work of our people and it highlights these important issues and embra...
Chris Freeston, Managing Partner, Nottingham
Freeths' past and present sustainability initiatives
As a firm, we undertake a range of initiatives to help reduce our environmental impact and embed sustainable practices across the business.
- Improving energy efficiency across our offices, including managing heating temperatures, operating times and wider energy use
- Reducing waste and increasing recycling, including improved segregation of materials and responsible disposal of electronic equipment
- Continuing to reduce paper use and unnecessary materials, including greener approaches to meetings, events and internal communications
- Engaging with suppliers to better understand and reduce emissions across our supply chain, including collecting environmental data and encouraging sustainable practices
- Encouraging lower-carbon travel, including promoting public transport and offering green car and cycle to work schemes
- Promoting responsible procurement, with guidance on sustainable purchasing and supporting local suppliers where possible
- Investing in efficient technology and digital tools to support flexible working and reduce the need for unnecessary travel
- Supporting colleagues with information and resources on sustainable choices, including home energy efficiency and more sustainable purchasing
2024: Partnered with Planet Mark to develop our SBTi-aligned Net Zero Transition Plan
2024: Calculated Scope 1, 2 and 3 baseline carbon footprint
2024: Published first Carbon Reduction Plan
2025: SBTi targets approved
2026: First Net Zero Transition Plan published
B Corp in the legal industry
We were extremely proud to become a certified B Corp in 2024, being the largest UK law firm to achieve accreditation.
As a B Corp in the legal industry, we’re counted among law firms that are leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.
Influencing industry
Freeths is one of only 27 UK firms listed in the Legal 500 Green Guide, a recognition of our internal and external socially responsible and green commitments. We were pleased to again be listed in the 2025 Guide and to also have two of our lawyers named as Green Ambassadors.
We are a signatory to the Greener Litigation Pledge, which supports courts and court users to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution.
We are a pro bono contributor to the Chancery Lane Project, a global network that produces open-source clauses for businesses around the world to put their sustainability aspirations into contractual commitments. We regularly train clients for free on how to use the clauses in their business.
Catalyse Change
We sponsor candidates through Catalyse Change, a programme that supports women aged 18-24 with a passion for sustainability and ambitions to pursue careers in the field. We also offer mentoring to young candidates.
"Freeths has been supporting our sustainability empowerment and green career programmes for over five years. It makes a massive difference to what we can achieve as a small social enterprise. It provides inspiration and confidence to young women and non-binary changemakers from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them get the guidance and support they need to work in the climate and social space. We are very grateful to Freeths for its valued and continuing support."
Traci Lewis
Co-Founder & Director, Catalyse Change
Landmark environmental win
Freeths' Environmental team are known as some of the best in the business, and for good reason. In November 2022 Partner and Head of Natural Capital Law at Freeths Penny Simpson, won a landmark case confirming that European nature conservation laws remain enforceable in the UK, despite us having left the EU.
The victory meant the Environment Agency was ordered to take immediate action to protect England’s rare wetland habitats from water abstraction, as well as tackling damage already done to internationally important wetlands in the Norfolk Broads.
The court applied a little-known legal provision in Brexit legislation that says even though the UK has left the EU, rules in European directives – in this case, the habitats directive – remain enforceable against UK public authorities if those rules have been recognised by a court as being enforceable prior to Brexit.
As a result of this ground-breaking work, Penny was named in the 2023 ENDS Report as one of the top 100 UK environment professionals making the greatest impact in the past two years.
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