News & Views

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will address the General Assembly on January 28 about the priorities of the organization in 2021, noting that a central ambition will be to build a global coalition for carbon neutrality – committing to net zero emissions by 2050. 

"The world is at a crossroads. After a year of struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, we usher in a new year with a hope to recover better, rebuild resilience and reimagine a more equal world." Read more HERE

It's time to transform. The future does not just happen, our actions define what the future will look like. We know that the decisions we make in the next six to 18 months will make this determination for our society, our economy, and the planet.  Forum for the Future,  believe that the Transform trajectory needs to become the dominant version of our future if we are to deliver the systemic change needed to solve our inequality, climate, biodiversity and public health challenges. Their report 'The Future of Sustainability', should be a MUST READ, even if you just skip to the conclusions.

Congratulations to AusLSA member firm Gilbert+Tobin for sourcing all of their tenancy energy from renewable resources to achieve a net carbon zero result, as detailed in their 2020 AusLSA report. Danny Gilbert told Lawyers Weekly that the firm was proud to be leading the charge on sustainability. Achieving a 100 per cent renewable target, he said, is an “important step” in the firm’s journey to better protect the planet for future generations. See the article HERE.

A new survey adds cultural load and identity strain as issues that indigenous Australians face in the workplace. Sadly only a quarter of survey participants felt they worked in organisations that were authentically committed to change. The article in the Conversation explores the survey and provides 10 ways that organisations can improve workplace inclusion Read more HERE

Purpose and stakeholder-centred business remains the critical, go-forward strategy. 2020 has only accelerated this notion. Porter Novelli evaluated the past 365 days’ worth of Purpose-driven campaigns, initiatives and announcements to bring you the Top 10 Trends of 2020. and what’s on the horizon for 2021. Register HERE

Volunteering Australia CEO Mark Pearce considers the structural issues facing volunteering in light of the challenges we’ve seen this year and longer-term trends, in this article adapted from a presentation given in a recent Pro Bono Australia webinar. Read the article HERE

Many people will be wearing a red ribbon today to show support for those living with HIV and remember those who died from AIDS-related illness. (Australia) Learn More HERE

Workplace Giving Australia has announced this year’s winners the winners of the 2020 Workplace Giving Excellence Awards. AusLSA member King & Wood Mallesons received Highly Commended award under the Best Employer Response to a Crisis category The award details provide a wealth of information and ideas for your own approach to workplace giving More about the awards HERE

Thirty two AusLSA members have published their commitments and performance against the nineteen sustainability elements of the AusLSA sustainability framework. The report provides a window into the initial impacts of COVID and identifies factors that will influence the sustainability of law firms for years to come. Read the report HERE and Read the LinkedIn article HERE

The National Pro Bono Centre recently released its thirteen national target report, and despite the national challenges faced in the past two years, demonstrated that the dedication to pro bono work has not faltered. They state that Australian lawyers have reported a record 16.5% rise in pro bono hours compared to the year before. Target signatories reported undertaking an average of 36.4 hours of pro bono legal services per lawyer in FY2020, exceeding the Target of 35 hours which is the highest average number of pro bono hours per lawyer reported since 2011 and is higher than the 35.8 hour average reported in FY2019.

See their press release (with a link to the report) HERE