ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
As a firm, we are committed to closely monitoring our environmental impact and performance, addressing key areas of impact and working collaboratively with our suppliers and key stakeholders. We strive to continuously improve our overall environmental performance as we work towards achieving our goal of becoming net zero.
Our reduction achievements
Net zero progress
Accreditations and recognition
Membership
Teams contributing
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Stories
Our reduction achievements
Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduced by 59.09% since baseline year 2019/20 (based on FY 2023/24)
Water consumption reduced by 42.33% since baseline year 2019/20 (based on FY 2023/24)
Paper procurement associated emissions reduced by 81.08% since baseline year 2019/20 (based on FY 2023/24)
Net zero progress
This year we have invested in a new carbon reporting platform which will help us to both calculate our carbon emissions more extensively and report more frequently on our progress. The platform allows us to see our emissions in real time and map them against key projects. This will enable us to work closely with our suppliers and focus on reducing our Scope 3 emissions, both vital steps in our journey to Net zero.
By improving our environmental reporting and performance, the carbon reporting platform will further add to our robust framework that sits at the forefront of our ISO 14001 certification. We have maintained our ISO 14001 certification since 2017, recognising the strength of our environmental management System (EMS).
We have an annual internal EnviroNovember campaign to raise awareness of environmental issues and provide valuable insight into what individuals can do to adapt to more sustainable lifestyles. In this year's EnviroNovember campaign, we focussed on sharing knowledge and gathering feedback around how we can improve our internal environmental activity and what information our staff are looking for. Alongside a staff survey, we donated £1,250 to the National Trust, planting 250 trees.
We recruited a new Environment, Health & Safety Administrator, Nell Wheeler, to support the development, implementation and monitoring of policy and procedures to ensure a safe and environmentally responsible workplace. Her days vary – from ensuring compliance with EHS regulations, to tracking and reporting our carbon emissions, to engaging with local networks to collaborate on sustainability initiatives. Nell is enjoying getting stuck into her new role, and shared her thoughts, "helping to create a safer, more sustainable future is something I'm truly passionate about. The work at WBD allows me to contribute to lasting change, making a real difference for both people and planet".
We signed a lease for new five-year MFD devices in all sites but The Spark in Newcastle. This is more efficient kit, eco-friendly and we have also reduced our fleet size (as you can see below).
Our focus on sustainable travel to our 2025 Partner Conference resulted in us achieving a 25% reduction in the number of flights taken compared with 2023. More sustainable business travel is key to reducing our Scope 3 emissions and is an area that we will continue to work on.
We launched a new environmental based staff benefit: Tree Planting by Furthr. This optional benefit allows colleagues to sponsor protected reforestation and world-leading renewable energy projects across the globe. In signing up for the benefit, colleagues can calculate their carbon footprint, receive personal tips on how to reduce this, and also track their impact.
In addition to our London office refurbishment, (spotlighted here) we completed a monitor upgrade across the firm giving everyone access to more energy efficient dual 24" TFT monitors.
Accreditations, awards and recognition
ISO 14001 re-accredited, recognising that we have an effective Environmental Management System, providing a framework for continuous improvement in our environmental performance.
Ranked in the Legal Green Guide 2025 as a firm providing holistic solutions across the green transition, with a particular focus on green hydrogen, offshore wind, and electric mobility.
Recognised by Team London Bridge in their 'A Great Place to Work' Awards as one of 13 businesses in the London BID area demonstrating leadership and achievement in Sustainability. Team London Bridge said: "Enhancing energy efficiency and integrating cutting-edge technology, Womble Bond Dickinson is leading the way in creating a greener, more sustainable workplace."
Recognised as Sustainable Business of the Year at the 2024 Bristol Law Society Awards, celebrating our commitment to improving the environmental sustainability of our operations and activities across several fields, including measurable results and reductions in carbon footprint.
Jon Bower, Partner, Net Zero Lead, and Bristol Office Head, 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.”
Membership
- Founding and active executive member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance
- Sustainability Recruitment Alliance
- Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership (and also the Climate Leaders sub-group)
- Team London Bridge and signatories to the London Bridge Decarbonisation Charter
- Redcliffe and Temple BID
- Hydrogen South West
- Planet Mark.
Teams contributing
Environmental Reps
Environment Management Review Team and Net Zero Working Group, both involving key stakeholders from across the business including Facilities, IT, Risk and Responsible Business.
UN Sustainable Development Goals we are working towards
STORY 1
Our commitment to creating sustainable offices
STORY 2
Volunteering to clean our beaches
