Stepping Stones To Sustainability – How to add a net zero contract clause in 5 steps
Introduction
Sustainability is increasingly high on people’s agenda and has become a buzz word in business circles. Measurable performance and tangible outcomes are becoming the standard across all sectors.
But what does this really mean in practice, and how do you make your business more sustainable in a meaningful way?
We break sustainability challenges down into manageable chunks to help our clients meet their ESG aspirations and to help them to take action on climate change and social injustice through the way that they operate.
Our Stepping stones to sustainability series will walk you through practical services that we can offer to help you make efficient and effective changes, and ultimately build more purpose and impact into your organisation.
How to add a net zero contract clause in 5 steps
We all know about the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. We also know that while you can put your own house in order, it is more difficult to push that down the line to your suppliers and partners.
Our lawyers have been working closely with The Chancery Lane Project and now routinely include the Project’s net zero clause to contracts and supply agreements. This commits both parties to operate in a way that is consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, thereby pushing the good work across a range of organisations.
How can this help you? Here are 5 steps to consider.
How to add a net zero contract clause in 5 steps
#1 Operations
The first consideration is to work out where you are on your journey, and see what you can do operationally to reduce your carbon footprint.
#2 Procurement
Look at your purchasing and procurement policies. Do they address the climate crisis? If not, can you do something about it?
#3 Suppliers
Think about whether you can start to incorporate this into your supplier agreements and if so, which of your suppliers are more likely to be open to this.
#4 Partnerships
Look at your partnerships and work out whether you can encourage your partners to take action, if they aren’t already.
#5 Code of Conduct
Contact us to find out how we can help you to update your supplier code of conduct/ supplier contract to include audit rights and partnership agreements.
Making a profit is core to all businesses but our goal is to combine this with a real social purpose. Our values are pivotal to us, they shape our decisions and the way we live and work. We focus on positive social impact as much as we focus on being a successful law firm. Our top tier legal advice is coupled with a real desire to drive change and we were the first UK law firm to achieve B Corp certification, awarded to businesses that balance purpose and profit. Today, our clients are diverse – from corporate household names, to public bodies, to start-ups. We’re also the firm of choice for thousands of charities and social enterprises. We continue to lead the market we helped to shape. Bates Wells challenges what is possible in legal expertise delivery.