It’s safe to say that Penningtons Manches Cooper’s (PMC) has a well-established reputation.
As a law firm serving both commercial and private clients in the UK and worldwide, the company has decades of experience in areas such as dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, real estate and family matters. The firm’s extensive testimonials page speaks for itself.
Recognising the importance of client feedback and evolving market demands, Penningtons Manches Cooper noticed a recurring trend in conversations with current and potential clients in late 2019.
The first step on the journey
On an increasing number of calls, organisations were asking detailed questions about the firm’s environmental status. While credible efforts were being made to lower carbon emissions, it was clear that more needed to be done.
For many organisations, elevating and enhancing environmental credentials can be challenging when done alone. A professional guiding hand along the way is often crucial when analysing the past, assessing the present and preparing for the future. Meticulous data collection and analysis across the value chain are essential to generate realistic and ambitious goals.
Getting started with Planet Mark
That’s where Planet Mark comes in.
After listening to their clients and observing UK legislation that required an ESOS assessment, Penningtons Manches Cooper understood that they needed a new direction. They reached out to Planet Mark for professional assistance, marking the beginning of a transformative partnership.
Why us? Simple. Penningtons Manches Cooper was impressed by our comprehensive carbon reduction plan, our experience in the legal industry and our holistic data collection service. The firm also admired the close network that has been built between Planet Mark Members and the opportunity to connect with similarly innovative and ambitious organisations. After all, the biggest driver of innovation is diversity.
The key statistics
- A commitment to achieve net zero by 2040
- 77 million documents sent to energy efficient data centres
- 100% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030
Penningtons Manches Cooper’s tremendous achievements so far
Since 2019, Penningtons Manches Cooper’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable, thanks to their unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. Here are some key highlights from their journey.
Collecting data and establishing short and long-term goals
Without emissions data, the road to net zero immediately stops in its tracks. Penningtons Manches Cooper had collected data on carbon emissions tentatively, without fully uncovering all of Scopes 1, 2 and 3. With Planet Mark’s guidance, the firm could clearly see the impact that their supply chain (Scope 3) was having on their net zero credentials, taking up the majority of total emissions.
Near-term targets
With mountains of faultless data at their fingertips, Penningtons Manches Cooper and Planet Mark were able to set serious and ambitious targets in both the short and long term. All of these goals have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), providing them an additional layer of rigidity.
- Reduce absolute Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 100% by FY2030 from a FY2022 base year
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 50% by FY2030 from a FY2022 base year
- 75% of supplier spending will have science-based targets by FY2028
- Increase active annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 0% in FY2022 to 100% by FY2025 and continue active annual sourcing of 100% renewable electricity through to FY2030
Long-term targets
The longer-term targets have also been validated using the same process and data. The end goal? Net zero by 2040.
- Maintain 100% absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduction from FY2030 through to FY2040 from a FY2022 base year
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by FY2040 from a FY2022 base year
Hiring an Operational Sustainability Manager
In 2020, after kicking off the journey towards net zero, Penningtons Manches Cooper hired its very first Operational Sustainability Manager: the brilliant Aimee Burns. Not only was this a signal to employees and current and potential clients that the firm’s net zero ambitions were serious, but it also helped focus the firm’s targets and decisive actions. Since 2020, this position has played an essential role in fostering engagement across the business…
Engaging a global team
…which brings us to Penningtons Manches Cooper’s next achievement: engaging an international team.
Net zero is only ever reached through meaningful collective action. With that in mind, engagement is needed with all employees in an organisation, whether that’s nationally or globally. In Penningtons Manches Cooper’s case, the firm has 900 people across 11 locations in five separate countries. The challenge to enthuse an enormous number of employees across the globe is one that, with Planet Mark’s help, the firm has embraced wholeheartedly. Educational workshops, sustainability committees, office recycling projects and efficient commuting all play a part in encouraging and educating the firm’s workforce.
Changes to document storage
As a legal firm, documentation and storage understandably play a significant role in Penningtons Manches Cooper’s emissions data. 64% of the firm’s total carbon footprint is associated with purchased goods and services, with 14% of that from a data centre provider.
In 2021, the email system moved to a data software with an impressive record of accomplishment on net zero action. In January 2024, over 77 million Penningtons Manches Cooper documents were stored in new data centres, which offer significant emissions reduction thanks to more energy-efficient servers. While switching to new suppliers is crucial when reducing emissions, the firm also knows that bringing suppliers along for the ride is also important. The more collaboration, the more innovation. It’s as simple as that.
Future-proofing the business
The future is looking brilliantly bright for Penningtons Manches Cooper for a whole host of reasons; it’s remarkable net zero effort is one of them. Today, the organisation is witnessing a trend familiar to many in the legal and professional services sector: an increasing number of clients prioritise environmental standards in their decision-making process, with some even considering it a decisive factor.
Planet Mark certification has provided the firm with a competitive edge thanks to an early, incisive decision to take that first step on the net zero journey five years ago. With clear targets and a focused approach, Penningtons Manches Cooper is well-prepared to meet evolving client expectations and industry demands in the years to come.
“We are proud to announce that our targets for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Receiving SBTi verification is the culmination of steps we have taken over the past two years to understand and address the environmental impact of our business for the benefit of our people, our clients and, ultimately, the planet. We have seven science-based targets, which break down the different parts of our firm’s full value chain.”
Aimee Burns, Operational Sustainability Manager
What does the future hold?
Simply put, Penningtons Manches Cooper is a true trailblazer in the legal sector.
The future is looking bright, too. The firm has maintained a bronze EcoVadis award for the past three years, as well as achieving ISO 14001 certification. While challenges will inevitably arise, such as addressing the energy inefficiencies associated with AI, Penningtons Manches Cooper has become a glowing example of an organisation that listens to clients, takes the necessary actions and reaps the rewards.
Penningtons Manches Cooper is yet another encouraging example of the impact that authentic, decisive net zero action can have. When judging the firm’s net zero journey over the last five years, it’s an open-and-shut case.
