b'MEMBER RESULTS 2023EnvironmentLaw firms stakeholders including clients, staff and regulators have a growing awareness and interest in businesses environmental performance and commitments. ENVIRONMENTALPERFORMANCE ELECTRICITYThis year we note that many law firms have begun toClimate Policy and Targetswelcome staff back to the office following high levelsFirms are developing formal commitments to reduce their of remote working and that most interstate, state andclimate impacts. Thirty-two percent of firms had a policy international air travel restrictions have been removed.in place and a further twenty-two percent were in theO BUSINESSprocess of developing one. Thirty-four percent of firmsU R TRAVELGreenhouse Gas Emissionshave committed to greenhouse gas emission targets, AusLSA member firms greenhouse gas emissions thiswhile a further twenty four percent were developingEyear are thirty-eight percent lower than the last full pre- them. Twenty-two percent of firms were developingNCovid 19 year in 2019. However, in the last 12 months,or already had net zero Science Based targets. return to the office and business travel has led to anFormal action plans with objectives, resourcing and increase in their gross total greenhouse gas of twenty- accountability are critical elements of climate actions.Vseven percent.This year only nineteen percent of firms had action plans Greenhouse gas emissions from business travel makein place, but twenty-four were developing them.I PAPER USEup just under two thirds of law firms emissions. ThesePaper Remissions increased by 109 percent over the lastPaper consumption was another casualty of the return 12 months driving an overall increase in membersto the office, which despite the continued uptake ofOgreenhouse gas emissions. However, the currentdigital systems and processes by firms, clients, and level remains at thirty-nine percent below the pre- courts increased by five percent in 2023. Since the last Covid 19 baseline. Law firms report that three yearspre-Covid 19 year in 2019, however paper use hasNof travel restrictions has led to a backlog of businessbeen reduced by a massive 1,394 percent.travel demand, leading to a spike in both client andDuring the year Opal, formally Australian Paper, chose professional-based travel. to close their production line for copy paper which Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity made upmanufactured the only recycled copy paper in Australia.M & OFFSE ELECTRIC RENEWABthirty-four percent of the AusLSA groups greenhouseThis decision has impacted adversely on many firms gas emissions in 2023. Despite higher office occupancy,capacity to source locally produced recycled copy paper, electricity emissions shrunk by a further 18 percent, afterhowever fortunately this also coincided with a decision to several years of similar reductions. The reduction wascease the use of native forest timber for their products.E TS IT Y LEdue to a combination of continuing energy efficiencyWaste measures and a growing total of renewable electricityLaw firms have extensive systems for recycling and purchases. Renewable electricity is now thirty-sevenreuse of materials with almost all the 173 reportingNpercent of total electricity purchased by the group whichoffices providing recycling systems. Ninety eight percent is an increase of 1,280 percent since 2019. of offices recycled their paper, ninety five percentRead the In 2023 AusLSA member purchases of voluntaryeighty one percent collected organic waste and ninetydetailed 2022 T EMEN AG N A M E T S& WA ING L YC ECCarbon Offsets separated and recycled their comingled packaging, Rcarbon offsets grew to 57,697 tonnes which reducedthree percent recycled or provided reuse options forEnvironment the groups net emissions by forty-nine percent.their computer and other ICT products.Spotlight Offsets and renewable electricity are increasingly inThe challenge for the future is to build on the progress demand as firms implement new action plans to meetthat has been forced on us and, as lockdowns andhere.Tgreenhouse gas reduction targets.travel restrictions relax, to reassess the full costs and benefits of different ways of operating.MANAGEMENTRISK& CODES'