The BPF Net Zero Pledge calls on BPF members to be net zero carbon across their businesses and assets by 2050 at the latest.

Burges Salmon has signed up to the British Property Federation’s (BPF) Net Zero pledge, in line with the firm’s respect for the environment and advocating for positive action to make Net Zero a reality.

In signing, the firm has committed to the following three core principles:

• Setting verifiable net zero targets and plans
• Sharing research, knowledge and insight on an open-source basis
• Supporting each other, and the wider industry, to accelerate the transition to net zero

The Pledge is intended to work alongside and support existing sector and industry net zero initiatives. The BPF will be encouraging members to work to existing industry standards and evidence progress through existing schemes such as the UN Race to Zero and the BBP Climate Commitment.

Respect for the environment is integral to Burges Salmon’s responsible business commitments and part of stakeholder expectations. The firm is passionate about a Net Zero future, advocating for positive action and collaboration to make this a reality, having pledged to make the business net zero by the end of 2026. The firm has partnered with conservation charity Trees for Life and is one of the founding members of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance and the Legal Sustainability Alliance.

Burges Salmon’s multi-sector teams deliver Net Zero legal solutions through market-leading expertise and experience in the key sectors that will need to come together to decarbonise including: transport, energy, land & food, and the built environment. With in-depth knowledge of the regulation across the four key sectors, the firm is able to facilitate cross-sector discussions and are uniquely positioned to advise on the policies, regulation, strategies and projects that will need to be developed and implemented by the private and public sector.

Philip Beer, a partner in Burges Salmon’s Real Estate team and member of the BPF’s Development Committee, says: “Our decision to sign up to the British Property Federation’s Net Zero pledge is about recognising and responding to the needs of our environment. This is in line with the firm’s belief that the scale of change required is huge, particularly for the built environment. We want to rise to the challenge and show genuine leadership by making real and meaningful commitments to drive the transition to net zero.

“Burges Salmon has already made great strides in reviewing its operations and impact on the environment and set stretching targets – we are committed to an approach of emissions reduction first, use of renewables second and use of offsets as the last resort. Signing up to the pledge is in line with the firm working to make a real difference to enable communities, economies and the environment to flourish.”