We have already implemented several positive measures into our operations to ensure that we are playing our part to minimise our environmental impact.
Our Environmental, Social and Governance group was set up in early 2022 to focus on our commitment to responsible business. The group looks at how we actively contribute to societal and environmental wellbeing, and how we can integrate this into our everyday business operations.
Since then, our ESG group has pulled together all the environmental impact strategies across our businesses and reviewed our actions so far. Looking at our environmental footprint, the group continues to drive forward change by exploring eco-friendly practices and improvements to how we operate.
As a result, we’ve developed our environmental and social sustainability policy document. Supporting and promoting environmental responsibility, it outlines ways in which we can positively make our operations more sustainable to the planet, through the choices we make.
Our commitments and pledges have been shared with our people and, as a people-first business, we understand that bringing our colleagues on this journey with us is integral to our culture and achieving our aims.
Here are a few examples of how we’re making this happen.
In October 2022, our Bristol operations moved to a new generation sustainable office space at One Portwall Square, a highly efficient, sustainable property that was built to a BREEAM Excellent and EPC A rating. The building won the British Council for Offices (BCO) national award for the best commercial workplace in 2023.
In 2022, HLK made a donation to World Land Trust’s Plant a Tree programme, for over 300 trees to be planted to restore and expand tropical forest reserves in Borneo, Brazil and India. Our aim was to plant a tree for each colleague at the firm to demonstrate our long-term commitment to sustainability.
As well as switching to local or more eco-friendly, sustainable suppliers throughout our offices, we’ve stepped up our reduce, reuse and recycle programmes. Our two-fold approach, to re-educate our people and provide more receptacles for recyclables – glass, tins, paper, plastic, wrappers, cardboard and compostable waste – is proving effective.
Our employee portal also offers tips and advice to our people and encourages them to make conscious choices to reduce their own carbon footprint.
