Leading international law firm Addleshaw Goddard has committed to taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of its dispute resolution practice by becoming a founding signatory of the Greener Litigation Pledge (GLP).

The Greener Litigation Pledge invites legal professionals across England and Wales to take active steps to reduce the environmental impact of their dispute resolution services, including through limiting the production of printed documents and engaging with courts to support changes to rules, procedures and practices.

The GLP is a key part of Addleshaw Goddard's wider sustainability drive and initiatives, which also includes membership of The Chancery Lane Project, a collaborative effort of lawyers from around the world to develop new contracts and model laws to help fight climate change.

The Pledge calls for members to recognise the importance of restricting global warming to 1.5°C, as identified by the 2015 Paris Agreement, and commit to taking active steps to reducing their carbon footprint in the context of 'promoting the highest standards of justice and client service'. Through adding their signature to the pledge, legal professionals agree to inform clients of their involvement in the pledge and encourage their participation.

So far eight solicitors' firms, barristers' chambers and other dispute resolution professionals have actively signed up to the commitments listed within the pledge, including Mishcon De Reya, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, HFW and Simmons & Simmons.

The launch of the Pledge coincides with the start of London Climate Action Week (26 June – 4 July). All organisations engaged in the conduct of litigation are invited to sign the Greener Litigation Pledge so that its goals can be achieved across the industry.

Mark Molyneux, Head of Disputes for Addleshaw Goddard, says:

"The legal profession has a major role to play in the critical work required to limit carbon emissions through the enforcement of laws in order to try to arrest the potentially catastrophic impact of global warming. We all need to make sure that we play our part in that work by looking at how we operate as a profession and committing to more sustainable business practices wherever possible.

"The Greener Litigation Pledge is a great initiative which we all hope will play a part in helping the legal sector to become more environmentally responsible over the coming years."