Welcome!

Thank you for taking part in this short survey which is aimed at getting the views and opinions of your firm or organisation - whether you are an existing or potential member of the LSA or a supporter in some other way of the LSA's work - about how sustainability issues impact you and how you are responding to these.  We will use this information to help shape the future work of the LSA and ensure we can provide the best possible support to our members in their sustainability journey and help the LSA and member firms make the best possible contribution to achieving a truly sustainable future for all.
 
Please answer all questions if possible - all responses will be treated as anonymous and in strict confidence.  If you would like us to get back to you to discuss any aspect of this survey, please provide your contact details where indicated.  Thanks again.
 
Amanda Carpenter and Jim Haywood
at Achill Management: Hosts of the LSA
 
Jan 2018
 
Contact:  info@legalsustainabilityalliance.com
 
NOTE:  In the context of this survey the following notes might be helpful when considering what "sustainability" and "being sustainable" may mean to you:

"In essence sustainable development is about five key principles: quality of life; fairness and equity; participation and partnership; care for our environment and respect for ecological constraints - recognising there are 'environmental limits'; and thought for the future and the precautionary principle".
(From Making London Work by Forum for the Future's Sustainable Wealth London project)

"Business sustainability ...... represents resiliency over time – businesses that can survive shocks because they are intimately connected to healthy economic, social and environmental systems. These businesses create economic value and contribute to healthy ecosystems and strong communities.
(Financial Times (ft.com/lexicon))

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* 1. Please tick the box below to confirm that you have the authority to submit this response on behalf of your firm or organisation and that you give permission for the LSA to hold this data and use it for the purposes of improving the service the LSA provides to its members (Nb.  contact data will not be shared outside the LSA).

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* 2. Please provide some details about yourself and your firm or organisation:

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* 3. Our firm or organisation is (please select):

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* 4. As far as you can say, how important currently does each of the following groups think sustainability is in relation to your firm or organisation?

  Not at all important A bit important Quite important Very important Don't know
Partners/fee-earners
Non fee-earning staff
Existing clients
Potential clients
Others (please specify who below)

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* 5. Thinking specifically about your clients, has your approach to sustainability been a factor in winning or losing business?  (Please provide any further information you are able to in the comment box below)

  Yes No Prefer not to say
Has helped to win new business
Has helped to retain existing business
Has caused us to lose business to other firms
Has had no noticeable impact on business

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* 6. How do you think these views are likely to change over the next 2-3 years?  (Please provide any reasons to support this)

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* 7. Thinking about the carbon emissions resulting from your firm or organisation's activities (such as energy use and business travel - i.e. your carbon footprint), please answer the following:

  Yes No No, but plan to do so
We measure our carbon footprint
We use the LSA Carbon Reporting Tool to measure our carbon footprint
We publish our carbon footprint
We are actively trying to reduce our carbon footprint
We offset our carbon footprint

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* 8. Apart from the impact on clients, please can you give any other examples of how being sustainable has benefited your firm or organisation (for example, recruiting/retaining staff; procuring goods and services; engaging with local community and stakeholders, etc):

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* 9. The following questions relate to specific external sustainability related programmes and activities.  Please indicate which of these you have heard of and what action, if any, you are taking or plan to take in response to each:

  Heard of Not heard of Taking action (please see comment box below) Planning to take action (please see comment box below) I would like to know more about this
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)
The UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development (UKSSD)
The Planet Mark certification programme
The LSA's carbon reporting tool
The Charter for Trees, Woods and People (aka the Tree Charter)

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* 10. Is anyone given specific responsibility for managing your firm or organisation's approach to sustainability?

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* 11. Listed below are some of the "global" or "macro" issues which many scientists believe will materially affect future generations.  In the context of how these might impact any aspect of you firm or organisation's operations and activities (e.g. your client base, employees, supply chain, premises or security) or how your firm or organisation could play a part in addressing these (e.g. through your practices, advocacy, staff engagement, pro bono work, donations etc), please say how important you think each one is to you:

  Not at all important A bit important Quite important Very important Don't know
Burning fossil fuels
Deforestation
Farming for meat consumption
Global over population
Loss of biodiversity
Ocean acidification and pollution
Others (please specify the issue below)

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* 12. In relation to any of the issues listed above in Q11, what do you think your firm or organisation (or the legal sector as a whole) could do to help tackle the issue?  If you are already taking action, or plan to do so, please outline what you are doing as far as you are able to say:

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* 13. Please tick the relevant boxes below if you or any of your colleagues would be interested in taking part in LSA workshops (either in London or at a location near you) or webinar:

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* 14. How can the LSA help your firm or organisation in its sustainability journey?  (Please give as many examples or requests for help as possible)

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* 15. If you would like us to get in touch to talk about this survey or to provide more information about the LSA and our work, please tick the relevant box below and ensure you have provided your email address in Q1 above.  Please feel free to provide any other comments in the box below.

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