Hogan Lovells signs ‘Green Pledge’ committing to greener arbitration practices

The CGA is a global initiative, founded by international arbitrator Lucy Greenwood in 2019, to reduce the environmental impact of international arbitrations through behavioural change. The CGA seeks to raise awareness of the significant carbon footprint of the arbitration community and promotes best practice in managing arbitrations in a sustainable way.

As a signatory of the ‘Green Pledge’, Hogan Lovells will endeavour to comply with eight guiding principles to minimise the firm’s carbon footprint and the environmental impact of its arbitration practice:

• Creating a workspace with a reduced environmental footprint by looking for opportunities to reduce energy consumption and waste
• Corresponding electronically, unless hard copy correspondence is expressly needed in the circumstances, while also being mindful that email has a carbon footprint
• Encouraging the use of videoconferencing facilities as an alternative to travel (including for the purposes of conducting fact finding or interviews with witnesses)
• Avoiding printing, requesting the use of electronic rather than hard copies of documents and promoting the use of electronic bundles at hearings
• Using, where possible, suppliers and service providers who are committed to reducing their environmental footprint (including for the purposes of arranging an arbitration hearing)
• Considering and/or suggesting, where appropriate, that witnesses or experts give evidence through videoconferencing facilities, rather than attend hearings in person
• Avoiding unnecessary travel and using videoconferencing facilities as an alternative
• Considering and questioning the need to fly at all times and offsetting carbon emissions for any arbitration-related travel.  

Susan Bright, Global Managing Partner for Diversity & Inclusion and Responsible Business at Hogan Lovells, commented: “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues are top of the agenda for businesses today. Given our global footprint, we acknowledge that how we deliver our services has a significant impact on the environment. Through initiatives such as the Green Pledge, we aim to work smarter to reduce carbon emissions and to play our part in responding to climate change.”

Oliver Armas, Global Head of the firm’s International Arbitration practice, added: “We are delighted to participate in this campaign, which aims to provide practical steps to reduce our impact on the environment. We look forward to working with colleagues and clients alike on this important initiative.”