Garrigues is the only law firm listed among ‘Europe’s Climate Leaders’ by Financial Times
The ranking acknowledges the businesses which have made the greatest progress in curbing their emissions since 2014
Garrigues is the only law firm listed in the new Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021 ranking produced by Financial Times, which names the 300 European companies demonstrating the greatest reduction in emissions over the period 2014 to 2019.
This ranking, that lists a total of 23 Spanish companies, measures greenhouse gas emissions in relation to revenues. Over the period in question, Garrigues’ core GHG emissions were cut by 57.2%, whereas its revenues increased by 14.7%. In 2020, the firm intensified its efforts further still: since July of 2020, 100% of the electricity consumed by Garrigues’ offices in the EU has been from renewable sources with guarantee of origin.
“While the new FT listing signals impressive corporate progress in fighting climate change, it also underlines the scale of the challenges still confronting business leaders and politicians”, says the article that accompanies the ranking in FT.com
Sustainability is one of Garrigues’ strategic cornerstones, its ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) commitment being central to its activity. Since 2004, the firm has drawn up annual inventories of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology.
The Financial Times’ ranking is not the first to highlight Garrigues’ efforts: last December, public administrations, businesses and citizens forming part of the Comunidad #PorElClima platform included the firm and its Becoming net zero initiative among its 101 Examples of Actions by Businesses #ForTheClimate. Garrigues’ project was the only one representing the legal services sector.
The Eco-efficiency Plan: the road map
Garrigues’ Becoming Net Zero project aims to promote more responsible consumption habits, more sustainable spaces and a smaller carbon footprint, through the road map which is its Eco-efficiency Plan. This is applied throughout its value chain and is underpinned by improved energy efficiency; the contracting of electricity from renewable sources of guaranteed origin; use of an internal price for carbon; and reduced levels of environmental impact.
The progress made has been possible thanks to a lengthy process over which Garrigues has strengthened its commitment to the environment. In 2002, the firm signed up to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact; Garrigues’ commitment to the environment and to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are both enshrined in its Code of Ethics.