Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  November 27, 2024

Kennedys' Targets Approved by SBTi

Global law firm Kennedys announced it reached a significant milestone with the official validation of its net zero target by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

With this validation, Kennedys is committed to reducing its global Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 90% by FY2040 from a FY2020 base year. The remaining 10% of emissions, also known as residual emissions, will be offset through carbon removal projects.

This commitment follows the company’s near-term emissions reduction commitment, which was validated by the SBTi in 2022. 

As published in its 2023-24 Responsible Business Report, Kennedys is committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% and Scope 3 emissions by 28% by FY2030 from a FY2020 baseline year. Between FY2020 and FY2024, the law firm achieved a 26% reduction in combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions (market-based), driven by over a third of offices globally procuring renewable energy.  

To achieve the near-term and net zero targets, Kennedys outlined several key initiatives:

• Procuring electricity by renewable means across all global offices by 2030
• Revising the firm’s business travel policy to align with sustainability goals
• Engaging with suppliers to understand their environmental ambitions, and to encourage suppliers to set their own emission reduction targets

“Choosing a net zero target year of FY2040 was ambitious, but we knew it was achievable,” said Kate Hursthouse, Head of Responsible Business at Kennedys, in a statement. “This is a significant milestone for the firm and has been more than two years in the making. As a firm, we wholeheartedly recognise that we have a responsibility to play our part in limiting climate change, and we are committed to taking meaningful action.”