DLA PiperThe appointee isGovernment of the UKAs the provider of legal services to the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this November.
The firm will provide general support commercially to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, including sponsorship agreements.
The project will be managed byJean-Pierre Douglas-HenryInternational co-head of sustainability, ESG, and global cochair of litigation, regulation and partnershipsDr Sharon FitzgeraldAndSarah BellWith the full supportSimon LevineGlobal co-CEO and managing Partner, and the firm’s executive.
This is an additional environmental milestone achieved by the company and further highlights the firm’s commitment to the United Nations Race to Zero Campaign. DLA Piper, for example, has set science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions. Validation of this target is expected to take place in the next few months.
DLA Piper is also a founding Member of theLegal Sustainability AllianceThe newly establishedNet Zero Lawyers AllianceThe firm is committed to climate action, sustainability reporting, and sharing best practices in the legal sector. This firm is the first to be certified by ISO 14001 for environmental management. It also signed up to Business Ambition 1.5 degrees.
To better understand the firm’s most important sustainability risks and opportunities, a materiality analysis is being conducted. The firm has long been recognized as a leader in legal pro bono advice and has undergone a materiality review. The firm has provided more than 200,000 hours of legal assistance in 2020, which is equivalent to almost 150 full-time lawyers.
Douglas-Henry stated that COP26 will be starting in less than 100 day. All eyes now turn to Glasgow, and it is an absolute honor to be chosen as the Provider for Legal Services to COP26. Our team is thrilled to be able support such an important event that can make a positive change in the world’s climate crisis.
Mr Levine said: “Our mandate it to embed sustainability in the fabric of our firm and this appointment just another example of that.” The outcome of COP26 will affect all our lawyers and clients. It’s an honor to help our clients transition towards a sustainable future.
