CMS UK
We supported CMS UK to set an approved 1.5°C science-based target in-line with climate science.
CMS UK becomes the first major law firm to announce its net zero commitment supported by science based targets.
law firm to announce net zero commitment and science-based target
of CMS CMNO UK offices now run on renewable energy
The Company
As a future facing law firm, Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP (CMS CMNO) is committed to addressing its own impact on the environment, as well as providing their clients with specialist environment legal advice.
CMS UK's sustainability commitment
In 2019 CMS CMNO, started working with Carbon Intelligence to support its goal to achieve climate leadership in the legal sector. CMS CMNO’s aim was to set out a new and ambitious strategy to reduce its impact on the environment and empower their people to make positive environmental changes.
To aid their ambition of becoming market leaders for having a positive impact on the environment. CMS CMNO has unveiled a programme to reduce the carbon emissions of its entire portfolio to net zero by 2025.
The firm aims to reduce Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions by 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030 and will offset the remainder of emissions to net zero by the 2025 deadline.
Its pledge comes after a 12-month programme at the firm in conjunction with the consultants Carbon Intelligence to devise targets and is in line with the UN’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C as a result of climate change.
It includes measures to renegotiate its electricity contracts to maximise supply from renewable sources, phasing out fossil fuel vehicles, investing in energy efficiency, smarter business travel and working with suppliers on their carbon reduction commitments.
CMS UK reimagines climate action
To set a firm wide emissions reduction target and lead the legal sector CMS CMNO needed to place climate action at the heart of the firm and inspire employees to do the same. It set out to achieve this by using innovation and science to make and measure a real impact across their global offices, through the guidance from Carbon Intelligence.
As the first major law firm to announce its Science Based Target (SBT), CMS CMNO is not simply relying on carbon offsetting to reduce emissions but is incentivising behavioural and cultural changes across its global operations and its supply chain.
Process
Working together over the past year, Carbon Intelligence has helped measure and report on CMS UK’s greenhouse gas emissions whilst encouraging and helping the global legal firm to define their credible net zero carbon strategy, to allow them to fulfil their desire to become market sustainability leaders.
CMS UK has improved its carbon intelligence through projects aligned to our Six Dimensions (6D) framework.
Our 6D approach helps organisations like CMS CMNO to define and fulfil their sustainability ambitions through a multi-year programme. From strategy to delivery, we worked alongside CMS CMNO to help apply six principles to accelerate their journey to net zero and drive business value. This included:
- Direction: Defining their SBT and agreeing on ambition of 1.5 degrees
- Governance: Climate-related issues are managed through the firm’s Sustainability Committee
- Data: We have worked with CMS CMNO to measure and report on its global GHG Emissions footprint
- Performance: Through their ambitious SBT, we will identify new projects to improve CMS’ performance. We have worked with CMS during ESOS Phase 2 to help identify significant energy saving opportunities across their portfolio. CMS are now utilising IoT sensors, as a part of a Smart Insights trial, to help identify and resolve key opportunities over £130,000 worth of savings at CMS’ head office in London. Data gained from a Smart Insight trial has also allowed CMS to identify and resolve air quality and plant operational issues on site.at their head offices in London.
- Reporting: We have helped CMS to deliver CDP Reporting, SECR and ESOS during our time working together.
- Engagement: CMS has launched a mobile app to engage staff and help over 3,200 of its people assess their own carbon footprints