Gowling WLG has published its new Sustainability Report, 'Stepping forward'. The 2024 report shares activities and progress across the firm's key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programmes, how it is embracing the challenges and opportunities, and sets out future plans.

The firm's ESG strategy guides its approach to sustainability and informs the way it reports. This year's report provides data and updates on activities across Governance, People, Environment and Responsible Business, responding to objectives set in 2023 and other activities. Achievements are celebrated across the firm's key ESG themes, including four core programmes: Inclusion for all, Wellbeing, Responsible Business and PLANET+.

Among some of the highlights from this year's report are:

  • taking an active role in Legal Charter 1.5 with like-minded ambitious law firms;
  • its ranking in the Legal 500 UK Green Guide;
  • recognition for 'Excellence in DE&I' at the People in Law Awards 2024; and
  • achieving a 35% increase in pro bono work and recording 1,090 volunteering hours.

Looking to the future, the report sets out new objectives including a refresh of the ESG strategy, publishing greenhouse gas emissions and diversity targets, taking supply chain action on human rights and growing the internal ESG Academy.

Fiona Nicholls, Head of Assurance, Environment and ESG Strategy at Gowling WLG said: "Alongside supporting clients on sustainability, we are stepping up to the ambition laid out in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). The 2024 Sustainability Report highlights how far we've come and there is plenty to be proud of'.

"It's so important to recognise successes, whilst also acknowledging there is more to do. The coming year will see us continue to collaborate with clients, colleagues, competitors and contractors to achieve and share even more."

The release of the report times with Gowling WLG recently being named finalist in two categories for this year's Legal 500 UK ESG Awards: 'Best Environmental/Sustainability Strategy' and 'DE&I Law Firm of the Year'. In addition, in January, Fiona Nicholls was named in 'The Lawyer Hot 100 list' for 2025, which recognises individuals for their excellence in the legal profession, celebrating the 'movers and shakers'.

Ben Stansfield, Sustainability Partner at Gowling WLG said: "As a business, our responsibilities include people and planet, as well as growing our business, and we work closely with our clients and others to do the same. We achieve this through the legal advice our lawyers provide, but also through the conveying of our own experience.

"It's so important for businesses to share when they're going above and beyond simple compliance: it grows knowledge, triggers innovation, creates community and, most importantly, catalyses positive change. I'm proud of what we're sharing and excited for what comes next."

Read the new report to find out more about our approach to Sustainability and visit our ESG web pages to see how we are working with clients in this area.