At & DE BANDT, we attach the utmost importance to environmental issues. For several years now, we have been working hard to limit our impact on the environment.
& DE BANDT was one of the first law firms to be awarded the “Eco-dynamic Enterprise” label by the Brussels Region.
As part of its sustainability strategy, & DE BANDT commissioned Climact, an environmental consultancy firm, to calculate the law firm's carbon footprint and develop an action plan to reduce (even further) its carbon emissions. Further to that plan, our firm has decided to launch a number of projects, including the insulation and renovation of our offices and the implementation of more responsible purchasing and mobility policies. More generally, & DE BANDT aims to promote environmentally-friendly behaviour in its services to clients and in contact with stakeholders.
The firm has therefore joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which supports and brings together companies that want to ensure that their environmental policy is consistent and aligned with current scientific climate targets and, more specifically, with the targets set out in the Paris Agreement.
By joining this initiative, & DE BANDT has committed itself to reduce its Scope 1* & 2** greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 30% by 2030 compared to the base year 2018, and to measure and reduce its indirect emissions (Scope 3***). These targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative and are consistent with a "well below 2°C" warming trajectory.
Current emissions trends are on track, with significant reductions in our direct emissions in recent years. As for indirect emissions (employee and customer travel to hearings and meetings, purchases of goods and services, etc.), we are aware of the challenge of reducing these emissions and are therefore constantly considering how we can reduce them.
We will continue to calculate and analyse our impact annually.
Feel free to follow our progress on LinkedIn!
Finally, the firm's garden has recently become home to a permaculture project, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity and sustainable, collaborative and healthy solutions.
*Scope 1: direct emissions controlled or owned by the organisation
**Scope 2: indirect emissions resulting from the production of electricity, heat, cooling or steam purchased by an organisation
***Scope 3: other indirect emissions that are a consequence of the company’s activities, but from sources owned or controlled by another company
For additional details, see the website of Climact.