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The Impact Lawyers interviews Stacey Collins to talk about the Net Zero Infrastructure Industry Coalition project and his fight against climate change

Pinsent Masons has shown an active commitment to caring for the environment and, in particular, has shown its concern about carbon emissions. The firm, in addition to advising and informing companies it works with about the negative effects of carbon emissions, has joined the Net Zero Infrastructure Industry Coalition project, which sets out guidelines with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint.

The Impact Lawyers was able to interview Stacey Collins, energy and infrastructure partner at Pinsent Masons, about the purpose of the Net Zero Infrastructure Industry Coalition project and the implications for the firm in its fight against climate change.

1. What are the main objectives of Net Zero Infrastructure Industry Coalition?

The Coalition aims to support the ambition of the UK to encourage a transformation in the way in which its infrastructure sector contributes to achieving Net Zero by 2050 (or earlier), and to help make the UK an international leader in Net Zero across the global infrastructure industries.

2. What are the implications of Pinsent Masons in fighting climate change?

Pinsent Masons' objective is to raise awareness of the climate change challenge, to help our clients to formulate their net zero strategies, and to help them deliver on those strategies. At the same time we are taking action to reduce our own contribution to climate change.

3. Do you think lawyers are concerning nowadays about climate change?

Yes certainly - climate change awareness has increased in the general population and it is a high-profile issue for our clients, as well as our own staff. As lawyers we want to enable the transition to a net zero economy, and not to become barriers to that transition. We can also raise awareness of alternative approaches to carbon, such as nature-based solutions.

4. What actions in the office do you think lawyers can improve to care for the Earth's well-being?

We were looking at ways to reduce our office-based emissions even before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the lock-downs has accelerated that thinking. Our main source of carbon emissions is business travel and we are taking steps to reduce that (eg via encouraging video-conferencing). All of Pinsent Masons' UK offices use 100% renewable energy, and we are looking to make that change on a global basis as well. We're also investing in better recycling and increased sustainability.

5. Are law firms becoming more sustainable?

Ultimately they will have to be, but not all law firms are changing at the same pace. At Pinsent Masons, we are pushing forward with the changes needed to become more sustainable. Next month we will be publishing our own Science Based Climate Targets, once validated, which will demonstrate our commitment to theclimate change agenda.