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Working collaboratively to promote sustainable practice across the legal sector
Climate litigation has become an additional instrument used to enforce or enhance global climate commitments. This continues to grow in importance on a year on year basis as a way of either advancing or delaying effective action on climate change. The Grantham Research Institute in their latest report "Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation 2022" looks at the past 12 months and concludes that litigation continues to be used by diverse actors around the world as a tool to influence the outcomes of climate governance debates at all levels of government. Read the report HERE
The Australian Pro Bono Centre has developed and collected a number of resources to help lawyers feel equipped to address the climate crisis challenge. These tools, available on their website, include a global pro bono climate action portal; a pro bono guide to the climate crisis; a list of Australian civil society organisations who are currently tackling climate change and a compilation of other helpful resources. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SITE
The latest Workplace Gender Equality Agency report on discrimination states that while the gender pay gap did not further worsen with the COVID pandemic, progress on closing the gap has now stalled.
Factors affecting the gender pay gap include gender discrimination, family responsibilities, workforce participation and gender segregation. In the latest report entitled "She's Price(d)less", WEGA present key findings and drivers contributing to gender pay gaps, the impact of the pandemic and opportunities for how to close the gaps. See the full report here
In 1996, Gilbert + Tobin evolved their services to become the first law firm in Australia, and one of the first in the world, to establish a practice and employ a full-time pro bono lawyer at a time when the firm had only 14 partners. Last year alone, almost 30,000 volunteer hours were dedicated to pro bono work in over 500 matters. READ MORE HERE or a visual 25-year timeline of G+T’s pro bono work can be viewed HERE.
It is a good thing that brands want to champion their sustainability credentials. But most Australians don’t believe what they are seeing and hearing according to Who Do You Believe a new report by the Republic of Everyone
Australians don’t believe brands are doing enough when it comes to social and environmental issues and nearly three out of four Aussies can’t name a single business they believe is leading in sustainability. You can read more HERE or the full report HERE.
A specially convened Governance Institute of Australia working group has developed a new guide for boards and management on the path to net zero. Chief Executive Megan Motto said the guide is designed to be used by senior managers and directors as they build climate into their organisation’s strategy and provides a clear and practical framework to take the next steps on the path to net zero. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE
How can you make a quick reduction to emissions from your supply chain. A shared commitment to renewable electricity would go a long way. Read about how big brands engage suppliers on renewable energy. READ MORE
Effective communication is amongst the most important factors in determining effective action. In large busy organisations like law firms the importance of communication to different stakeholders can be extremely challenging. Read a guide that focuses on the communication issues and provides some direction on how to improve READ MORE
Recently the SBTi led a NetZeroActionDay to celebrate companies with approved science-based net-zero targets. The initiative passed the 1000th commitment to the Net-Zero Standard with 2,884 companies taking action and 1,328 with approved targets and called on more businesses across the world to play their part in the fight against climate change by submitting net-zero science-based targets. READ MORE
General Counsel’s position and responsibilities in law firms are strongly aligned with the identification and development of ESG principles and designing a framework into the organisational strategy. Read a Lawyers Weekly article with Corrs Chambers Westgarth head of business and ESG Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope HERE
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