We are committed to running our business in a responsible way and we value difference so we’re working together to create a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can achieve their potential.
Responsibility is intertwined with our character, our values and our ethos. We value diversity and meaningful connections to our many local communities. We also want to change wider society for the better, including through pro bono work and collaboration with clients.
Environment and sustainability
The relationship between business and society is under pressure over issues like climate change, human rights and corporate governance. As well as managing our own environmental impact, we are helping the transition towards a more sustainable future through our sustainability practice.
Freshfields has been carbon-neutral since 2007. Since 2015 we’ve offset emissions through a 10-year investment in the Freshfields Reforestation in East Africa Programme (REAP), an innovative community forestry project in Kenya and Uganda. “REAP helps diversify incomes, improve food security, provide opportunities for children and enhance gender diversity, while simultaneously improving the local environment,” explains Freshfields Head of Client Sustainability and Environment Oliver Dudok van Heel.
Our people can choose to offset their non-work carbon footprint with carbon credits from REAP.
We calculate and make publicly available our annual carbon footprint and report annually to CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project).
We also advise our clients on their own carbon reduction and environmental management initiatives, as well as on corporate governance, human rights and sustainable finance.