Friday 12 March 2021

Barristers raise the bar with new network to boost climate action

The Bar Council has launched a new initiative to lead the way in supporting the barristers' profession's efforts to tackle climate change.

The Bar Sustainability Network, in collaboration with sustainability consultancy Achill Management, will provide a range of services and support for chambers and other Bar organisations to help them move towards more sustainable ways of working, saving both carbon emissions and costs.

The Network, which aims to kick-start a shift towards more sustainable practices, comes with a range of benefits including membership of the Bar Renewables Pledge, free use of a carbon calculator as well as resources and events to help barristers and chambers operate in a more sustainable way.

The Bar Renewables Pledge asks all network members to commit to switching to 100% renewable electricity for all their UK premises by 2025.

Derek Sweeting QC, Chair of the Bar said: “It might seem that barristers can't make much of a difference to saving our planet but climate change affects us all. The Bar wants to do its part and take action on the global climate emergency.

“The Bar Council's Bar Sustainability Network is designed to provide the tools and resources for the Bar to achieve that ambition. We also envisage that by becoming members of the network, chambers and others may be able to save costs through exploring cheaper 'green' options – which, given the financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic, will be a game-changer for many.”

The Bar Council represents all 17,000 barristers in England and Wales.