E-Ming Fong

With COP26 due to start in Glasgow on Sunday, Greener Actions aims to form the basis of a coordinated approach by the legal profession in Scotland to ensure it plays its part in achieving any new targets which will emerge from the climate summit.

The Greener Actions team at Harper Macleod are inviting all court users, including fellow law firms, and stakeholders involved in litigation in Scotland to join the Greener Actions Focus Group to create an action plan for the future of litigation in the country’s courts.

E-Ming Fong, a dispute resolution partner at Harper Macleod who is driving the project, said: “This initiative is about more than simply going paperless or reducing travel. It’s about making greener choices, where possible, throughout the litigation process, with the aim of meeting balanced and sustainable environmental, social and governance objectives.

“The Scottish Civil Justice Council is currently consulting on the future (and continued) use of virtual hearings which were legislated for during the pandemic. As court users, we cannot ignore the recent technological advances which have allowed the wheels of justice to continue to turn. However, just because the wheels are turning does not necessarily mean they are turning in the right direction. It is our responsibility to make carefully balanced and informed choices on our direction of travel.

“Greener Actions is firmly rooted in ESG principles. It is not only about environmental goals but aims to bring about effective and sustainable change while ensuring that the profession’s social responsibilities and governance standards are maintained.

“There is so much that we can do, but it can only be achieved collectively and in collaboration with the courts and all other court users and stakeholders. Scotland has become well known for setting ambitious targets in the battle against climate change, social equality and governance. We are setting no limits on the potential changes that members of the profession are capable of achieving as part of Greener Actions.”