Preserving our natural environment is an issue of increasing concern both to our clients and our employees. In addition to meeting the spirit and letter of all relevant legislation, we are taking steps to further minimise our environmental impact.

Key points of interest include

• our Sustainability Group of partners and senior support managers meets regularly to agree actions to help us reduce our environmental impact
• our Sustainability Discussion Group comprised of both fee earners and practice support meets quarterly to ensure that environmental initiatives are functioning effectively and to bring us new ideas
• in January 2007 we completed an assessment of our UK office carbon footprint. This is being used as the starting point for recommendations to further reduce our environmental impact
• collaborative working with our Landlord and fellow tenants on the Broadgate Estate in the City of London to agree targets to reduce carbon emissions within our buildings, and pool waste management and recycling systems to further reduce our collective impact
• we have introduced 'carbon literacy' workshops for key target audiences, including our Sustainability Discussion Group and our business development team
• we take the opportunity to implement energy-saving lighting systems whenever possible. For instance, our Exchange Square office is fitted with motion sensitive lighting to increase energy efficiency
• our London offices recycle over 175 tonnes of paper per year. Staff are encouraged to reduce paper usage e.g. Duplex printing has been rolled out throughout our London offices to reduce paper consumption
• other recycling initiatives include cans, mobile phones, library books and toner cartridges. Redundant IT equipment is disposed by End-O-Line who ensure it is disposed of in an ethical manner
• FairTrade products are available in our kitchen areas and restaurants
• we have worked closely with our catering supplier to introduce more environmentally friendly food containers.

For more information on our approach to reducing our environmental impact email CR@herbertsmith.com