Planet Mark certification

The Planet Mark is a globally recognised sustainability certification that helps organisations measure and reduce their carbon emissions while driving continuous improvement.

Since achieving our first certification in 2022, we have successfully recertified each year. This has been achieved through annual reductions in our emissions, increasing the scope of our reporting boundary and improving the quality of our data submissions. It demonstrates our commitment to understanding and improving our environmental performance year on year.

We measure emissions arising from key areas of our operations, including energy consumption, business travel and waste. This helps us track performance, identify opportunities for improvement and take practical action to reduce our environmental footprint.

We encourage you to get in touch if you would like further information about our approach.

Targets and net zero

Reducing our environmental impact requires both short and long-term action. Through our annual carbon footprint assessment and Planet Mark certification, we measure emissions across our operations and use this information to identify opportunities for improvement.

We have implemented a range of initiatives to reduce our environmental impact, including the procurement of 100% renewable electricity across our offices, improving the quality and coverage of our emissions data and incorporating sustainable design principles into office refurbishment projects.

We continue to review our emissions data, assess opportunities for further reductions and develop plans to support our long-term ambition of achieving net zero.

Governance and oversight

Environmental sustainability forms part of our wider Responsible Business programme and is overseen by our ESG Partner Board.

The board provides oversight of the firm’s environmental objectives and performance, helping to ensure environmental considerations are incorporated into business decisions and operational activities across the firm.

Our environmental initiatives are supported by colleagues across the business, helping to embed sustainable practices into our day-to-day operations.

Workspace refurbishment

We have undertaken significant refurbishment projects across our London and Leeds offices, with the aim of achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating for both and creating a healthier, more efficient workspace while reducing the environmental impact of our operations.

The refurbishment incorporates a range of measures designed to reduce environmental impact, including:

• the installation of energy-efficient technologies
• the use of sustainably sourced materials
• initiatives to minimise waste and reduce energy consumption.

Throughout the refurbishment programme, we also prioritised the reuse and recycling of materials, wherever possible. This included donating surplus furniture to community organisations and working with suppliers to maximise material recovery and minimise waste.

Greener Litigation Pledge

Stewarts is a signatory to the Greener Litigation Pledge, reflecting our commitment to pursuing litigation in an environmentally conscious way.

The pledge requires signatories to review ways of working and take practical action to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution. As part of this commitment, we measure and publish our carbon footprint annually.

Examples of action we have taken include:

• encouraging the use of lower-emission transport options, where appropriate
• reducing unnecessary travel through video conferencing, remote witness evidence and hybrid hearings
• promoting electronic correspondence, document management systems and hearing bundles to reduce paper consumption
• working with industry peers to support more sustainable litigation practices.

Through these actions, we are helping to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution while continuing to deliver the highest level of service to our clients.