Friday 17 April 2020

Australian law firm becomes ‘first’ to provide net zero carbon legal services

An Australian law firm has been certified as the first in the country to provide net zero carbon services.

Law firm Gilbert + Tobin, has been recognised in by the government's carbon-neutral certification programme, Climate Active, which certified that any emissions associated with legal services are measured and offset.

Measures include moving to sustainable premises and upgrading to energy-efficient office and IT equipment.

The company has also increased digital filing and signing, reviewed its travel policy and found ways to include more carbon-neutral products in its supply chain. In addition, it has reduced paper and electricity consumption per capita by 10% and 5% respectively.

In a statement, Gilbert + Tobin said: "We give considerable thought to our choice of carbon credits to offset our emissions and are supporting the growth of renewable energy in developing countries.

"This year we purchased the bulk of our carbon credits from wind projects in India. We also continued our support for local Aboriginal carbon abatement programs by purchasing a smaller number of credits from the Aboriginal carbon foundation – this year from a savannah burning project at Merepah Station in Cape York."