Sustainability

Sustainability is core to being a responsible business. How we choose to operate impacts future generations and we must play our part in protecting our people and our planet. We are committed to playing a leadership role in driving inclusive and sustainable growth and contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including in the way we run our own business.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are a signatory to UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero, which commit us to develop and implement Science Based Targets to reduce our carbon emissions and become net zero. The firm has set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets consistent with limiting global average temperature increase to 1.5°C, which include a 90% reduction near term target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market) of 2030 and a near term engagement target which commits 75% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transport, and distribution and business travel to set a science based target for emissions reduction. We have a 2050 Net Zero target for all three scopes.

Whilst we undertake the journey to Net Zero, we are offsetting all business travel emissions from January 2019 and all interim Scope 1 and 2 emissions from January 2022. Our commitments are backed by adherence to the robust CDP reporting framework, and the broader EcoVadis ratings. We are also founder members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance and the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.

We have launched the next stage of our global sustainability plan to drive continuous improvement. As well as developing our firm's net zero strategy, the key actions include:

Updating our travel, energy and real estate policies, focusing on reducing our carbon impact, achieving 100% renewable energy and achieving firmwide accreditation of the environmental management system ISO 14001.
Developing and implementing sustainable and resilient procurement policies.

Useful links:

PPN 06/21

Climate Transition Plan

Key Operational Strategies

Real Estate Principles

With our offices accounting for a significant proportion of our carbon footprint, we are committed to the highest levels of sustainability in our buildings, and have developed Sustainable Office Design Principles that positively impact our people and the environment. This framework has enabled us to obtain sustainability certification in 22 of our offices, equivalent to over 65% of our entire footprint. Our framework has been developed based on existing best-practice design frameworks and research, including:

BREEAM International RFO Standard (2015)

RICS: Implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2019)

UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition, (2019)

Renewable Energy

We are committed to 100% renewable energy in all of our main buildings and are already using 100% renewable energy in our London office, and our German offices. Where it is not possible to do this (usually where we are in multi-tenancy building), we will look to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to offset our energy consumption.

Travel Strategy

As a global organization, travel is part of our business and we recognize that our travel generates CO₂ emissions and impacts the environment. To address this, we are creating a series of new management processes to apply globally across our organization with our travel agencies and major travel vendors. The intention is to capture our impact and to provide options for each traveler in our firm with the ability to make smarter, environmentally conscious decisions to support the SDGs.

Procurement Strategy

We are in the process of creating a series of new procurement and supply chain processes and policies to apply consistently across our firm globally.

This includes developing a new and robust procurement organizational program to source and manage all the third parties that supply our firm globally. The policies align with the SDGs.

Sustainability Stewards

Each of our offices around the world has a dedicated Sustainability Steward who is a member of the operations team. The Sustainability Stewards are responsible for collecting data, both for reporting requirements and to inform the changes we need to make. They also ensure that our procurement processes prioritize environmentally-friendly products, services, and suppliers.

Real Estate Principles

With our offices accounting for a significant proportion of our carbon footprint, Hogan Lovells is committed to the highest levels of sustainability in our buildings, and has developed Sustainable Office Design Principles that positively impact our people and the environment. This framework has enabled us to obtain sustainability certification in 22 of our offices, equivalent to over 65% of our entire footprint. Our framework has been developed based on existing best-practice design frameworks and research, including:

WELL Building Standard

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Royal Institute of British Architects - Sustainable Outcomes

UK Green Building Council - Net Zero Carbon Buildings

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Real Estate Guiding Aims

The following guiding aims are being used to develop and inform the design principles for all of our offices. These aims are woven through the principles, and can be used as an overall reference point for teams to consider through the design process.

Use lifecycle carbon analysis to guide design decisions

Track and monitor decisions taken through the design to minimise lifecycle emissions

Promote transition to low carbon office through renewable energy and low carbon technologies

Lead in responsible business practices and sustainable procurement

Prioritise sustainability requirements in discussions with Office landlords

Engage employees and building managers into the design process

Develop approach to sustainability within the local communities of Hogan Lovells offices

Renewable Energy

We are committed to 100% renewable energy in all of our main buildings by 2025, and are already using 100% renewable energy in our London office. Where it is not possible to do this (usually where we are in multi-tenancy building), we will look to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to offset our energy consumption.

Procurement

We are in the process of creating a series of new procurement and supply chain processes and policies to apply consistently across our firm globally.

This includes developing a new and robust procurement organizational program to source and manage all the third parties that supply our firm globally. The policies align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainability Stewards

Each of our offices around the world has a dedicated Sustainability Steward who is a member of the operations team. The Sustainability Stewards are responsible for collecting data, both for reporting requirements and to inform the changes we need to make. They also ensure that our procurement processes prioritise environmentally-friendly products, services, and suppliers.

Sustainability Champions

Each office also has dedicated Sustainability Champions whose role is to encourage whole-office engagement, and to promote individual pro-environmental choices within the workplace. Our champions represent the broader Hogan Lovells community, and together form a global network of individuals committed to ensure that we operate with sustainable behaviours in mind.