Spotlight on the Legal Industry’s Climate Change Allies: Squire Patton Boggs
More than 200 legal professionals participated in a Net Zero Toolkit launch party with The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) last week, demonstrating the strong interest in resources for lawyers drafting climate-aligned legal agreements. As organizations prepare to deliver their net zero targets ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November, TCLP’s vision that every legal contract is an opportunity to contribute positive solutions to climate change is gaining momentum.
As Thomson Reuters editors support the initiative by incorporating climate-conscious clauses into Practical Law online resources, Legal Current is highlighting the law firms leading by example in the fight against climate change. Today we talk with Anita Lloyd, director, Squire Patton Boggs, who specializes in environmental law and shares why her firm is participating in the project.
“Climate change is a fast moving and developing area of law and one we are passionate about,” Lloyd explained. “Working with others, The Chancery Lane Project gives us an opportunity to contribute our expertise for the greater good, and help our clients as they grapple with the challenges of working towards net zero. We are committed to ensuring corporate responsibility is embedded in our business and our work on the project is aligned with our environmental, social and governance goals and also our pro bono policy.”
Lloyd said her firm helps clients think about contractual issues relating to climate change and how they may adopt the principles and clauses, where appropriate.
“Clients are increasingly asking about market practice in this area and what they should be including in contracts,” she said. “The Net Zero Toolkit enables benchmarking and the development of market practice, important for clients keen to engage with their supply chains if they are to meet their own net zero commitments.”
She sees the value participating in TCLP brings to her firm and its clients.
“We are able to draw upon the collective knowledge of a large group of experts in an evolving area of law and use their insights as a good starting point for further discussion and development,” Lloyd explained.
Lloyd is optimistic about the impact TCLP can make.
“TCLP is important in raising awareness of the issues and, through the collaboration with like-minded professionals, the project enables us to ‘do our bit’ as lawyers to develop contractual solutions to climate change and contribute to future change,” Lloyd said. “Combatting climate change is a priority for all of us. As a global business, we understand that how we operate has a local, regional and global impact – for our people and our planet, and we want to play our part – now and in the future.”
Watch Legal Current for insights from more law firms fighting climate change. Also, register for a TCLP workshop or webinar, and access the Net Zero Toolkit. For more on how Thomson Reuters is partnering with TCLP, read the Practical Law case study.
