Bringing our people together

Although DLA Piper is based around the world, our people share a common purpose when it comes to tackling climate change. As a global business legal practice, we regularly run internal campaigns that unite and inspire our people wherever they are based. Overcoming tough logistical challenges, these campaigns have raised awareness and made a tangible impact on reducing our carbon emissions and operating our business in a more sustainable way.

Recent worldwide initiatives have included:

  • ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ – this included the removal of desk bins to raise awareness of waste production, a ‘green breakfast’ using goods with low environmental impact, and the creation of an interactive map that detailed waste management efforts in each DLA Piper office. Over 6,400 pledges were made to reduce environmental impact in areas ranging from printing double-sided to using ceramic mugs.
  • ‘TravelSMART’ – featuring a variety of activities including a UK ‘No Travel Week’, and guidance on how to drive greener, buy locally and make sustainable travel decisions.
  • ‘EnergySMART’ – encouraging the smarter use of electricity, including tips on reducing energy consumption in work and the home. Eco Ambassadors were appointed to check that computers and lights were not left on overnight.
  • ‘ProcureSMART’ – this campaign highlighted our sustainable procurement policy and our drive to create a dialogue with our supply chain to encourage sustainable practices.

The first campaign included a global waste sculpture competition where staff in all our offices were challenged to design and construct a sculpture entirely made of office supplies due for recycling. From Boston in the US to Birmingham in the UK to Beijing in Asia and throughout the Middle East, our staff let their creativity run riot. Everyone at our firm was able to vote for their favourite statues. These included everything from a seven foot high baseball player called the Manny Monster to an Amsterdam canal scene created from items such as coffee cups, envelopes and swizzle sticks.