ESG & Corporate Sustainability

We share the scrutiny and transparency that regulators, and all stakeholders, expect from clients and have learned important lessons about implementing effective ESG policies.

This also means committing to consistent high performance around ESG is fundamental to our success as a global legal business, specifically in terms of delivering our group strategy, realising commercial advantage, and in retaining and attracting key talent.

There are two ways we achieve this with our business activities – as an enabler, supporting our clients with the ESG business challenges they face and as an exemplar, by communicating on our progress as a responsible business transparently and authentically.

Consistent with our commitment to responsible business, we are a signatory of the UN Global Compact and support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, respecting ILO (international Labour Organisation) labour standards, UK Prompt Payment Code and UK Living Wage.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's)

While we believe in and aim to contribute to all 17 UN SDGs, we have prioritised five goals, aligned to our ESG agenda, where we can make the most impact:

Climate Action
Gender Equality
Decent Work and Economic growth
Reduced Inequalities
Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

EcoVadis

Silver EcoVadis medal

EcoVadis provides the world leading solution for monitoring sustainability in global supply chains. It provides sustainability score cards for performance in four areas; Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. DWF are pleased our commitment to sustainability has been awarded a Silver EcoVadis medal, meaning we are in the top 25% of companies currently scored by EcoVadis.
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

SBTi approve our science-based targets

DWF is pleased to have our global 2030 net-zero target verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as we double down on efforts to reduce our impact on climate change. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets.
Carbon Literacy Organisation

Carbon Literacy Organisation

The Carbon Literacy Trust has awarded DWF as a 'Bronze' Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO). DWF are making headway in educating colleagues from across the business globally to become carbon literate. Training began in June 2021 where 16 of our colleagues from across the business were trained and a further cohort of 24 in June 2022, further training is planned for September 2022.
Business in the Community

Business in the Community (BITC) - Responsible Business Tracker

DWF was one of the forerunner businesses to first use the Tracker back in 2019 to evaluate and monitor our progress. In our 2022 re-assessment we scored 66% overall performance against a cohort average of 47%.
Mindful Business Charter

Mindful Business Charter

DWF signed up to the Mindful Business charter in 2019 as a commitment to reducing stress in the workplace. We have since launched a guide to embedding the Charter to help empower colleagues to voice their "non-negotiables" and help achieve their work-life balance.
FTSE4Good

FTSE4Good

FTSE4Good is a global sustainable investment index series, designed to identify companies that demonstrate strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices measured against international standards.

Following the FTSE4Good Index Review in June 2022, DWF is pleased to confirm we are a member of the FTSE4Good Index Series.
The Legal 500 Green Guide UK

The Legal 500 UK Green Guide

The Legal 500 Green Guide UK highlights the key firms engaging with sustainability. DWF have been recognised for our sustainability work across real estate, planning and environment as well as our accreditations from EcoVadis, SBTi and the Carbon Literacy Organisation.