Our ESG Strategy
We are committed to driving continual improvement in the development of our ESG programme. We started our transition from CSR to ESG in 2022, when we engaged an external ESG and sustainability consultancy to help us to develop a new strategic approach to ESG.
The first step was to understand our operating environment and conduct a double materiality assessment involving our people and our clients, to help us identify our priority ESG areas. Based on sector guidance and ESG standards, 17 ESG topics were identified as potentially important for the firm to address. We tested those topics with more than 350 internal stakeholders and clients. In addition to the stakeholder insights, a business impact assessment was conducted to identify the risks and opportunities associated with the ESG topics. The resulting matrix revealed six ESG topics for the firm to address: carbon emissions and clean energy; climate change; equity, diversity and inclusion; health and wellness; sustainable supply chain; and social impact.
We grouped these six priority topics, which form the basis of our strategy, into a four-pillar strategic framework: Environmental; Social; Governance; and CSR.
Our ESG framework addresses concerns that our internal stakeholders and clients identified as being important to them; it also aligns with our commercial risks and opportunities and adheres to universally recognised standards, ensuring comprehensive disclosure in our future reporting. Each of our pillars is complemented by relevant KPIs and targets, enabling us to monitor the progress of the implementation of our ESG strategy over time.
A key component of our ESG strategic framework has been the development of our ESG vision:
“Through our actions today and ambitions for a just tomorrow, we are empowering change, leading with purposeful governance, and fostering a progressive culture.”- Grace Kerr, Chair, ESG committee
Related pages
Related policies and documents
Our ESG strategic framework
Environmental – minimising our environmental impact
Our objectives are to monitor and continuously improve our environmental performance to support the transition towards a net zero economy.
Key topics:
- Carbon emissions and clean energy
- Climate change.
Social – inspiring our people
Birketts is dedicated to building a supportive and inclusive work environment.
Key topics:
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Health and wellness.
Governance – influencing positive change
Engage with internal and external stakeholders to collaborate with and influence our valued partners to share best practice and be more sustainable.
Key topics:
- Sustainable supply chain.
CSR – enhancing our communities
Create and nurture relationships with community and charitable organisations, sharing our resources to support their endeavours and improve the lives of those who need it most.
Inspire and support our people to share their time and skills for positive change in the communities in which we work.
Key topics:
- Social impact.
For further information about our ESG activities please contact:
Our latest CSR activities
East Greenwich Legal Advice Centre (EGLAC) pro bono collaboration
We’ve teamed up with EGLAC to make legal assistance more accessible to those who cannot afford it. Our volunteers have given over 80 hours of their time for free, assisting 15 individuals with valuable advice and guidance.
1,210 pro-bono hours in 2023/24
In 2023/24, our colleagues donated a total of 1,210 pro-bono hours. Our regular pro bono commitments include Suffolk Law Centre, LandAid and Norfolk ProHelp.
£41,771.07 raised from CSR activities in 2023/24
In 2023/24, the total amount of money raised through CSR fundraising activities accross all offices was £44,771.07.
£73,963.22 donated to local communities in 2023/24
£73,963.22 was raised and distrubted to local communities through the Birketts Charitable Fund in 2023/24.
The Great Birketts Sleep Out
Firm-wide initiative to spend a night outside to help combat widespread youth homelessness across East and South East of England. 89 participants raised a combined sum in excess of £23,068 for The Benjamin Foundation, CHESS Homeless, LandAid, Porchlight and the Whitechapel Mission.
Read more here.
Cumbrian Challenge
In May 2024, ten teams of Birketts colleagues will be taking part in the Cumbrian Challenge, Walking with the Wounded’s annual flagship fundraising event.
