Sustainability

At Sidley, we are committed to doing our part to ensure a sustainable future by conducting business in a responsible and mindful way that creates long-term value for our various internal and external stakeholders. We aim to minimize our impact on the environment by setting ambitious climate commitments to reduce our carbon emissions, as well as by creating a more sustainable workplace and culture across our global firm. From routine but important acts — such as recycling paper and waste — to impactful legal work that empowers businesses and social enterprises alike, sustainability is integral to our operations.

Our Climate Commitments

In alignment with science-based targets, our ambition is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our operations and services by 2050, with a short-term goal to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions by 55% or more by 2030. Analysis of our 2024 data shows that we have made significant strides towards our 2030 goal, achieving a total reduction of 14,315 tCO2e since our 2019 baseline year.

Our Approach to Sustainability

Over the years, we have made meaningful strides to address our impact on the environment. We adopted a Sustainability Position Statement, which outlines our approach to this important cause and reinforces our commitment to being part of the transition to a net zero economy. In addition, the position statement defines the most salient environmental issues impacting our firm, organized under a three-pillar framework: Legal Services, Global Business Operations, and Stakeholder Engagement. This framework will allow us to focus on what matters most and to be able to communicate our progress in a structured way.

LEGAL SERVICES

Sidley is regarded as a leader in various aspects related to sustainability and environmental law. We consistently offer advocacy and thought leadership on issues related to climate change, green finance, and renewable energy — and have extensive experience covering a wide range of industries, including energy, transportation, aviation and airlines, and automotive and mobility.

Our lawyers also recognize the importance of leveraging their skills and experience to assist underserved communities, individuals, and organizations that cannot afford legal representation. Through our pro bono initiatives, our lawyers contribute to sustainable and economic growth in the developing world by providing high-quality international legal services to socially and environmentally focused businesses.

For more information on these services and others, click the links below:

GLOBAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Sidley seeks out leased spaces that prioritize lower natural resources consumption, energy and emission reductions, and sustainable waste management. Our firm has 21 offices in nine countries around the world, 13 of which are located in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certified green buildings. At each location, office managers coordinate environmental efforts, including engagement with landlords and property managers and communication with our lawyers and business professionals about “green office” practices.

• Energy and Climate: A key element of Sidley’s sustainability strategy has been to identify ways to reduce energy in our offices. Some of the energy-saving practices already underway include ENERGYSTAR and EPEAT certified computers, IT peripherals, and kitchen appliances; upgraded LED lighting and occupancy sensors; and EV charging stations across a number of office locations.
• Paper Reduction: Much of the work that was paper-based in the business world has gone digital. For the work that still requires paper, Sidley has taken significant measures to recycle and reduce the volume of paper we consume, and to procure printing goods and services responsibly.
• Business Travelers: We work closely with American Express GBT Lawyers Travel (Lawyers Travel™) to better understand the environmental impact of our travel choices. In 2024, Lawyers Travel™ launched a new booking feature that allows users to filter and sort by lowest emissions, making it easier for travelers to choose more sustainable travel options.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

To enhance the way we operate as a sustainable business, we frequently collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders worldwide. These collaborations allow us to share best practices and experiences, inspire participation, and work in tandem to solve complex environmental problems. Such collaborations help us with evaluating our policies and processes to operate more sustainably and better serve our clients and communities.