“We’re mindful that our sustainability impact increases as the business grows, so we’re focusing on enabling the right data-led decisions to be made at a strategic level, scenario modelling how climate change could impact us in the short and long-term and really empowering our team to make the right choices for our future and the planet.”
Jessica Wilkes-Ball, Head of Sustainability and Net Zero
Highlights…
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved
near-term and long-term emissions reduction targets
Leading sustainability performance
Ranked in the top 15% of companies for sustainability by EcoVadis
Recognised sustainability leadership
Head of Sustainability and Net Zero recognised in The Lawyer Hot 100
Delivering measurable emissions reductions
44% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions through management of energy use in our offices
Responsible sourcing
Member of Social Enterprise UK to promote ethical and responsible purchasing
Caring about sustainability
80% of colleagues agreed that the firm is genuinely committed to sustainability and net zero.
Investing in local biodiversity
Invested in 3 long-term UK biodiversity partnerships
Mobilityways Award
Recognising efforts to reduce our travel impact
Designing sustainability into our new workplaces
efficiency upgrades and SKA-certified relocations in Leeds and Birmingham.
Our progress
As a law firm, our carbon footprint is overwhelmingly driven by Scope 3 emissions, as direct operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) are inherently low. In 2025, Scope 3 sources represented the vast majority of our total emissions, reflecting activities that sit largely outside our direct control but are essential to delivering our services. Our most significant Scope 3 categories are purchased goods and services, employee commuting and homeworking, and business travel.
Our responsible business team has a seat at the table around important decisions at the firm, such as deciding on new premises, IT solutions, and ways to improve our waste consumption and continue to ensure that our refuse is diverted from landfill. But each member of staff can also make small changes each day that make a significant cumulative difference. So, as a firm, we’ve introduced tools to help make these decisions as simple as possible, as well as introducing a range of both compulsory and additional environmental knowledge training. Looking ahead, we will be launching an app for staff to identify ways in which they can reduce their emissions through making small changes in their commuting habits.
We are focused not only reducing our environmental impact but also on playing our part in supporting nature and local habitats that contribute to a healthier environment for our people, our clients and our communities.
Further information
“At the heart of our strategy is a deep commitment to sustainable growth. We’re not just focused on short-term gains – we’re building for the long term by empowering our people, protecting the planet and driving impactful collaborations with local businesses and communities.”
Ruj Dev, Chief Financial Offier, Mills & Reeve
Looking ahead
Recognising the importance of decarbonisation – to our clients, our people, our communities and the planet – we have had our net zero targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring we’re aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Our goal is to be net zero by 2050 will be achieved by reducing emissions year-on-year by 4%.
By 2033, we aim for
reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions
reduction in absolute scope 3 GHG emissions
By 2050, we aim for
reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions
reduction in absolute scope 3 GHG emissions
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Through our work on net zero, sustainability and biodiversity we are proud to contribute to the following SDGs:
