Protecting the environment

Cleaner operations

We have a firmwide approach to minimizing harm to the environment and each office does its bit.

Freshfields has been carbon neutral since 2007. Since then improving further has been a priority – and our carbon emission has dropped by 15 per cent per capita over this period.

Recycling more, reducing waste and taking fewer flights have all made a big impact. We also invest in experts and technology to help make strategic cuts in our power usage. The firm has saved over a million kilowatt-hours so far (that's enough energy to make a cup of tea for everybody in Germany!) To help keep our minds on improvement, educational 'green teams' work across the firm. They are there to ensure Freshfields continues to lead the industry in sustainability.

Our work in climate change

New regulation stipulates that every business must now manage its power use with great care. Stringent targets being rolled out at domestic, EU and international levels are pressing users to monitor and moderate energy consumption, minimise environmental impact and put offsetting measures in place. This requires quite a shift in mindset for many companies, and lowering per-capita emissions can present a complex challenge, particularly when operations overlap multiple jurisdictions. Our paper "Beyond Copenhagen", published last year, highlighted the scale of the task ahead – and underlined our belief that industry is bracing itself for the work involved with compliance.

We've been through the emissions-cutting and trading process ourselves, and are conscious that this is new ground for many businesses.

Freshfields is working with clients to help them understand international and local laws governing energy use and ensure they are able to operate legally, effectively and efficiently under the new matrix of regulation.

Cutting per-capita emissions is right for the planet and for business. We aim to make the process a painless one for suppliers and users alike. 

Desertec

As pressure mounts to reduce global emissions, companies and governments are looking for answers. Huge investment is converging on renewables, and an area arousing much interest is 'concentrated solar power'. Last year saw the launch of Desertec, a new international energy initiative and proponent of solar technology.

Freshfields has been providing pro bono advice to the Desertec Foundation, helping to establish the joint venture company with a number of industrial players and further develop the concept.

Desertec proposes the construction of a giant array of solar power plants across desert Mediterranean shores. The project would be the largest of its kind ever imagined and induces proportionately sized legal challenges. If the financial, political, regulatory, economic and technical questions can be overcome – the prize would be renewable energy for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa by 2050.