In a move to raise awareness of the current climate crisis, Linklaters has announced its support for the Campagin for Greener Arbitrations platform by becoming a signatory partner of the "Green Pledge" initiative. 

In this way, Linklaters' Arbitration department, and the firm itself in general, is focusing attention on this issue and announcing, in advance, the actions it has been taking to protect the environment: it has increased the organisation of telematic meetings, with the aim of reducing its lawyers' travel time; offsetting the carbon emissions made on some journeys; and contracting suppliers who are committed to the environment. 

International arbitration has adapted perfectly to the challenges posed by the pandemic, as arbitral institutions and lawyers have adapted to new technologies, holding the vast majority of hearings telematically. 

In this respect, Linklaters has set up a dedicated hearing room for arbitration proceedings in its London office.

In addition, the international firm has set itself targets for reducing polluting emissions and regulating energy use, with a target date of 2030.

"We are committed to playing our part in reducing the environmental impact of the international arbitration community. Covid-19 has accelerated the pace of change in the arbitration arena, and we will continue to leverage technology to drive efficiencies for our clients and to reduce the carbon footprint of our industry.", said Ben Carroll, partner and global co-head of international arbitration at Linklaters.

Campaign for Greener Arbitrations

Through this platform, hundreds of lawyers and many firms are coming together to call for responsible energy use and the reduction of polluting emissions. On its website, the platform concisely indicates actions that lawyers could take in order to take care of environmental health: Reducing unnecessary energy and paper in offices; reducing written correspondence, and increasing the use of email; reducing travel for meetings, or even finding alternative, more environmentally friendly travel; hiring, as far as possible, environmentally conscious clients and suppliers, among others.

Several firms have signed up to the platform, including Eversheds Sutherland, Addlshaw Goodard, Fresfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Shearman & Sterling and Hogan Lovells.