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Within the past few years, the importance of ESG strategies and expertise has become key to law firm growth and success. In fact, last year a survey commissioned by  found that 92% of UK and US based law firms found that ESG concerns were more important then than they were just 12 months ago. Moreover, 94% of UK based law firms reported seeing overall increase in demand from corporate clients to advise them on the use of ESG metrics and scoring methods. Despite this, only a third of law firms who had reported an increase in demands for ESG related services have said to be able to service these demands, with a further 55% reporting that they need to enhance their capabilities within this area.

It is clear that ESG demands won’t be going away anytime soon, but how can law firms meet these demands? With the deluge of information available in this area, jargon, acronyms and inconsistent terminology, it can be hard to know where to go for quality guidance. To help law firms develop their ESG goals and enhance their understanding, ½Û×ÓÊÓƵ has developed toolkits and bespoke content on climate change, biodiversity and waste, as well as the myriad of additional issues found within social (the ‘S’) and governance (the ‘G’) concerns.

The Sustainable business toolkit has more than 100 Practice Notes from across ½Û×ÓÊÓƵ Practical Guidance, which draw together the many ESG issues into a hub, helping practitioners navigate this extensive area. The toolkit groups ESG content in the following topics/context, covering many of the angles that ESG issues might be approached from:

• Competition
• Digital transformation
• Employment
• Energy efficiency
• Environment
• Finance
• Finance products
• Governance
• Mobility
• Reporting and disclosure
• Sectors
• Social
• Supply chain management

Given how pervasive ESG matters are, content can be found across PSL and so browsing is another way to access content. Below are some examples of relevant subtopics found within PSL. It is not an exhaustive list; it is more a starting point, depending on what ESG issues are being considered.  

Environment

Subtopic: Climate change and targets

Subtopic: Environmental reporting

Subtopic: Responsible business and human rights

Subtopic: 

Subtopic: Sustainable finance

Subtopic: Sustainable procurement

Subtopic: Sustainable development

Employment

Subtopic: Sustainable business and responsible business: employment issues

Corporate

Subtopic: ESG issues

Subtopic: Relations with shareholders

Subtopic: The corporate governance regime

EU

Subtopic: 

Financial Services

Subtopic: Sustainable finance and ESG

Banking & Finance

Subtopic: Environmental issues

Subtopic: Types of green financing

Commercial

Subtopic: Supplier management

Risk & Compliance

Subtopic: 

Subtopic: Human rights and business 

Access the Sustainable Business Toolkit

Within each of the subtopics listed above, practitioners will find Practice Notes, news, precedents and checklist on relevant ESG issues. Some of the specific notes on the E, include:

Practice Note: Sustainable business – biodiversity

Practice Note: Sustainable business – decarbonisation and net zero

Practice Note: What is climate change litigation?

Practice Note: Climate change – emissions targets, carbon budgets and net zero

Practice Note: Mandatory environmental reporting

Practice Note: Voluntary ESG reporting

Practice Note: Voluntary greenhouse gas reporting

Practice Note:  Waste – the circular economy

Practice Note: Sustainable business and environmental, social, governance (ESG) – introduction for companies and advisors.

With the urgency for action on climate change and connected issues building, industries must act on these pressing issues. Law firms are in a unique position to drive this change, with ½Û×ÓÊÓƵ content available to support every step of the way.

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