6 ABOUT AUSLSA’S SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AusLSA Sustainability reporting is unique. It is the only industry sustainability reporting system in Australia that uses common reporting scope, boundaries and methodologies. This differs from traditional internal sustainability reporting, where firms will set their own scope and may use different assumptions and factors. The purpose of the annual AusLSA reporting process is two-fold: 1. To increase the understanding and transparency of the social and environmental impacts of the Australian legal sector; 2. To provide a framework for AusLSA members and their stakeholders to track the sustainability status of their operations and the effectiveness of their sustainability initiatives. Why do AusLSA members report? A 2017 ACCSR Survey of 1,215 professionals from across corporate and government sectors found that assessing and reporting their impact and performance was their highest sustainability priority. The survey also showed that 88% understood that sustainability reporting helped the reputation of their business and 78% said it contributed to brand positioning. Other top responses from organisations prioritised increased engagement from leadership, stakeholders and staff and identification of opportunities for improvement. AusLSA’s members believe that reporting is a key part of their commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. They understand that this reporting should align with and continually evolve to meet the best practice international models and approaches. Our members are also part of a growing corporate community who recognize how their citizenship and the values they demonstrate contribute to their business strength and competitiveness. Public reporting is one method that AusLSA members use to articulate the common elements of their sustainability approach and to demonstrate their commitment to improve performance in these areas. All AusLSA members are different and will choose to prioritise their efforts based on their individual challenges, opportunities and preferences. However, the discipline of standardised and regular public reporting allows firms to not only monitor their progress against their own expectations but also to compare themselves against the standards and leadership within their peer group. This information can be used to manage the allocation of effort and management focus to improve in chosen areas. By reporting together, AusLSA shows industry stakeholders that its members are committed in collaborating to not only improve their individual sustainability outcomes but also to assume the broader responsibility and make a contribution to the sustainability of the legal sector as a whole. What Does AusLSA report? The reporting framework developed by AusLSA is consistent with management and reporting frameworks commonly applied in Australian and international organisations. This consistency provides important benefits to both member firms and the audiences for this information. AusLSA’s framework is based around the four pillars of sustainability, being people (workforce), community, environment and governance. PEOPLE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT GOVERNANCE Gender Equality Pro Bono Greenhouse gas emissions from Electricity and Gas Sustainability Reporting Flexible Working Non Legal Volunteering Greenhouse gas emissions from Travel Sustainable Supply Chain Management Diversity Corporate Giving Renewable Electricity and Carbon Offsets Purchased Risk Management and Business Continuity LGBTI Inclusion Indigenous Reconciliation Paper Use and Selection Ethics and Conduct Physical Wellbeing Waste and Recycling Psychological Wellbeing Professional Development This framework has been being developed with reference to existing sustainability reporting methodologies including; • the Global Reporting Initiative G4 • the UN Sustainable Development Goals • the Global Compact and Guiding Principles • Australian GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 • AA1000 assurance principles