Gabrielle Plews, Head of our Corporate and Commercial team, has written for Sustainable Views. She explains how consumers, clients and investors want to see ESG compliance in practice. Sustainable Views is a service for financial services professionals from the Financial Times Group.
Gabrielle explores how legal advice plays a pivotal role in helping businesses report transparently using evidence-based metrics like the 10% Bindmans’ Social Justice Fund that raises clients’ ESG supply chain credentials, and responds to rising expectations around sustainability, without additional spending from our clients.
Gabrielle says:
Claiming to be ethical and sustainable without proof no longer appeals to clients. It is unacceptable to put profit over people and planet at every turn.
She also highlights how proactive ESG measures are no longer considered optional but are now a key consideration for stakeholders when deciding whether to engage with a company.
Clients may, understandably, be unwilling to take ESG advice from a company that is failing to comply with ESG metrics itself.
Gabrielle goes on to point out the growing crisis in access to justice, with reduced legal aid leaving many without support. She suggests law firms could play a role by dedicating a portion of revenue to social justice funds, offering both real community benefit and improved ESG credentials for business clients.
You can read the full article on Sustainable Views by clicking here (subscription required).
More information on the Bindmans Social Justice Fund can be found here.