Clifford Chance
Practical support for Net Zero ambition
As a founding member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance (NZLA), Clifford Chance has an active involvement with the collective participating in the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Thirty-five law firms, with a combined workforce of around 200,000, form part of the growing membership of the NZLA.
Clifford Chance lawyers helped to drive the development of the NZLA's Framework for Net Zero Alignment, a guide on the practical steps law firms can take to reduce emissions, manage climate risks, and support the global transition to net zero.
The Framework focuses on three key pillars:
- Ambition: Commit to science-based emissions reductions targets, enhance staff climate expertise, offer pro bono services to overcome legal challenges in transitioning to net zero, and create a net zero strategy.
- Action: Evaluate the environmental impact of legal services, identify measures to reduce emissions, and address climate-related opportunities and risks for the firm and its clients.
- Accountability: Ensure transparency in climate objectives and progress through detailed reporting and implement strong governance to maintain responsibility for climate commitments.
The Framework consolidates best practice advice from leading law firms and aims to encourage firms to design and implement net zero commitments and transition plans.
The NZLA is committed to capacity building among its members, providing tools and workshops that cover climate science, climate-related risks and opportunities.
The Net Zero Lawyers Alliance was established ahead of COP26 – comprising 35 member firms across more than 40 jurisdictions and a 200,000+ combined workforce.
