Muckle LLP slash carbon emissions by 26%

Commercial law firm, Muckle LLP, is steering the way to a more sustainable future after lowering carbon emissions year-on-year for the last four years.

The firm has reduced its total emissions by 26% over four years, cutting out 76 tons of CO2, despite the firm expanding from 117 to 154 people between 2010 and 2014.

The firm intends to accelerate this further so has replaced its petrol pool car with a new zero emissions, battery powered Nissan LEAF.

The battery-powered LEAF can be refuelled via a charging point at Muckle’s offices which the firm funded. Getting the LEAF is the latest of many changes in working practices that comprise Muckle’s environmental efforts to incorporate greener working practices.

The firm set up its Let’s Think Green Team (LTGT) from volunteers across Muckle in 2007 to encourage, challenge and enthuse staff to care more about the environment.

The role of the LTGT is to continually review the sustainability of Muckle’s business practices in order to identify areas for potential improvement. The team then encourages people at Muckle to actively participate in finding ways to live and work in a more sustainable manner.

Everyone within Muckle has helped the law firm to achieve the environmental management ISO14001 accreditation and Muckle remains one of only a handful of law firms across the UK to have achieved this award.

Andrew Davison, who leads LTGT, said: “Part of being a responsible business involves having an awareness of the impact that we have on the environment. To help make that happen, we all need to change our behaviour and habits to achieve a low carbon footprint.

“We have independently calculated our carbon footprint since 2009 using the Legal Sector Alliance’s recognised methodology and have recorded significant reductions each year. The improvements demonstrate our continuing efforts and that initiatives are really making a difference.”

Muckle LLP has also become the first organisation to be awarded the Go Smarter to Work Gold award for the firm’s ongoing commitment to encouraging sustainable travel. Initiatives so far have included introducing a corporate discount scheme for metro use, the Cycle to Work Scheme, a Drive Smart scheme to raise awareness of driving more sustainably, and a travel advice surgery.

Peter Andrew Henson, Go Smarter to Work delivery manager, Newcastle City Council, said: “To receive Gold Accreditation, Muckle LLP have been fully engaged in the Go Smarter to Work project, have implemented the full programme of toolkit measures and have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to encouraging sustainable travel through their workplace travel plan.