We follow the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol to measure, report and reduce our emissions. Our 2024 carbon emissions data demonstrates a consistent reduction across all scopes, in line with our commitments approved by SBTi:

Near term targets

Near term targets relate to our commitments over the next 5 – 10 years, and include:

• reducing absolute scope 1 GHG emissions 33.6% by 2028 (v. 2022)
• increasing active annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 0% in 2022 to 100% by 2028
• 80% of our suppliers to have Science Based Targets by 2028 (by emissions covering purchased goods and services, fuel and energy related activities, upstream transportation and distribution)
• reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 33.6% by 2028 (v. 2022) from capital goods, fuel and energy related activities, waste generated in operations, business travel, employee commuting and upstream leased assets

Net Zero targets

Our net zero plans support HF’s commitment to:

• reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emission across the value chain by 2050
• reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 (v. 2022)
• reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 (v. 2022)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is embedded in our culture, providing equitable opportunities for all. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible work environment that reflects and supports the diversity of our team and the communities we serve.

Through platforms including our Women @ HF, EDGE, Pride and Access networks, we empower our people to help shape our strategy, provide support and generate engagement through lived experiences. Our networks help foster inclusion and ensure every voice is heard and valued.

Our collaborative approach helps us develop policies that promote equity across the business, ensuring a consistent and fair experience for all our people.

Through our inclusive and supportive culture, we meet a range of criteria set by the Government and are certified as a Disability Confident Employer – Level 2.

In March 2024 the Women @ HF group hosted a successful International Women’s Day event, with guest speaker Chrissie Wolfe talking about her route into the legal profession and challenges she has faced. The Women at HF network regularly meet and communicate to offer ongoing support across the business.

In April 2024 we signed a pledge to demonstrate our commitment to becoming an accredited Menopause Friendly employer. The accreditation will give us external recognition for our work in raising awareness of the menopause and the impact it can have on individuals in the workplace. We have also introduced Menopause Awareness Training to everyone across HF, with a separate session tailored to line managers in order to help create a more inclusive workplace and retain experienced talent. We plan to achieve our accreditation before the end of 2025.

Our commitment to promoting equality and removing barriers for women to succeed is having a positive impact with our promotions statistics showing a positive trend:

• Partner – 50% female
• Associate Partner – 33% female
• Associates – 50% female
• Senior Associates – 56% female

Our successful legal apprenticeship scheme, started in 2015 and run in conjunction with BPP, is key to breaking down barriers and making careers in law more accessible. This focus on social mobility gives us the benefit of a larger, more varied pool of talent and we have a proven track record of producing great lawyers through the scheme. We currently have over 70 apprentices working across HF.

Positively enabling a good work/life balance is a priority – the majority of our people work on a hybrid basis, split between home and office and we offer a range of flexible working options including flexible start and finish times, compressed hours, weekend working and part-time arrangements during school holidays, to help our people better manage their work, home and caring responsibilities.

Our flexible benefits package includes comprehensive leave policies, eg enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and wellbeing offerings including helplines for confidential advice.

Giving back: We want to help make a difference in the communities in which we work. Every HF office has a nominated charity which we support through fundraising etc during the year. We also offer all employees one paid day off work each year to volunteer with a local charity. This is often with a charity partner or in collaboration with a client.

Ethical Practices and Transparency

Effective governance is integral to HF’s sustainability strategy. Current plans include several measures to enhance transparency and ethical practices, including:

• Anti-Corruption Training: mandatory annual training for all employees on anti-bribery and corruption standards.
• Governance Reporting: regular governance reporting highlighting compliance with global standards.
• Supplier Integrity: embedding ESG audit processes for our critical suppliers, ensuring alignment with our sustainability objectives.

Oversight and Accountability

• Sustainability Steering Committee
• External consultants engaged to verify our progress against ESG targets
• Biannual reviews ensuring continuous improvement in governance practices

Data Privacy

HF achieved ISO 27001 certification in 2021 and maintained accreditation, showcasing our robust data privacy framework, recertified in 2024 to ISO 27001:2022 and remain committed to protecting client data and maintaining the highest ethical standards in all digital operations. Winners of the Information Security Team of the Year at the British Legal Technology Awards 2024.

We’re also certified to ISO9001:2015 demonstrating our commitment to data quality.

Looking Ahead

Our focus on sustainability is based on continuous improvement and innovation. Over the next decade, we will:

1. Expand impact assessments to include social and environmental outcomes of legal services
2. Strengthen partnerships with clients and suppliers to accelerate collective progress toward ESG goals
3. Invest in cutting-edge technologies that enhance sustainability outcomes across the organisation
4. Continue our commitment to sustainability within our property portfolio, working with landlords to align our expectations including increased use of renewable energy