BDB Pitmans makes Greener Litigation Pledge

Top UK law firm BDB Pitmans has signed the Greener Litigation Pledge, a cross-departmental initiative which underscores the firm’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its Disputes team. Issued by Greener Litigation and established in June 2021, the Greener Litigation Pledge is a commitment to action made by over 75 signatories including law firms, barristers’ chambers and lawtech companies.

On 27 June 2019, the UK became the first country to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050 with the target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. Greener Litigation’s main objective is to support the courts and court users in becoming carbon neutral by encouraging disputes professionals to take active steps to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution.

BDB Pitmans has pledged to undertake the following steps to minimise the environmental impact of our litigation practice including:

• Corresponding electronically wherever possible, remaining mindful that even electronic documentation leaves a carbon footprint;
• limiting the printing of documents;
• avoid unnecessary travel or alternatively walking, cycling or using public transport for essential journeys to court;
• taking steps to implement the procedures necessary to give evidence by video-link or by telephone; and
• using suppliers also committed to reducing their carbon footprint.

BDB Pitmans has also committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a partnership led by CDP, the UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Committing to the SBTi means we plan to reduce our emissions by a minimum of 90% by 2050 (the final 10% can be offset via carbon removal schemes). The firm has enlisted an independent third-party environmental consultancy to assess our global environmental footprint as part of a broader climate change strategy. For more information on this read our Responsible Business Overview here.

Managing partner Andrew Smith commented:

‘Building on our support for the Science-Based Targets initiative, we are delighted to join other law firms and disputes professionals in signing the Greener Litigation pledge – something which aligns with the action already taken as part of our broader Climate Change Strategy (CCS). Holding ourselves accountable with smaller changes adds up to significant change in the long term and we are proud to continue to embed sustainable practices across the business.’