Sustainability at Beveridge & Diamond

As one of the nation’s leading environmental law firms, it is natural that Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. ("B&D") would take a leadership role in the emerging field of sustainability for law office management.  In its offices across the country, B&D is translating its values into action, improving the Firm’s sustainability and reducing its environmental impacts. 

B&D’s commitment to the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge is one example of the Firm’s place at the forefront of these critical issues.  B&D became the first law firm in the country to commit to all three components of the EPA-ABA Law Office Climate Challenge, and the first to do so for all of its offices nationwide.  The Climate Challenge is an environmental sustainability program geared towards law offices, developed with the ABA and EPA.  Two B&D attorneys oversaw the design and implementation of the program via their leadership in the ABA Section on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources. 

Through its participation in the Climate Challenge, B&D has committed to reduce its paper usage, purchase renewable energy in an amount equivalent to 60% of the Firm’s electricity usage nationwide, and reduce its footprint by investing in energy-efficient lighting, appliances and office equipment.  The Firm’s participation in the Challenge entails specific commitments to three separate programs: 

• The Green Power Partnership ("GPP"), which promotes the use of renewable electricity (B&D participates at the "Leadership" level; see B&D's GPP Partner Profile at http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/partners/partners/beveridgediamondpc.htm);

• Best Practices for Office Paper Management and EPA's Work Wise, which promote waste minimization, recycling and the use of recycled paper; and

• Energy Star, which promotes energy efficiency and conservation. 

In addition to its specific commitments under the Challenge, B&D has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Firm’s sustainability policies.  To lead this effort, the Firm established the B&D Green Team Committee, which consists of at least one representative from each of the Firm’s seven offices, and includes attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff. 

This process has produced numerous opportunities for us to improve our environmental sustainability policies, from major firm-wide initiatives to the everyday actions of individual attorneys and staff members.  Below are some of the steps taken to date by B&D to improve the Firm’s environmental sustainability:

• The Firm has entered into an agreement to purchase 740,000 kWh of renewable energy certificates (RECs) for wind generated electricity.  This purchase of low-carbon RECs reflects 60 percent of the firm’s nationwide energy usage, helps to encourage the development of the renewable energy sector, and will result in reductions of greenhouse gas emissions generated through the Firm’s electricity use.  The Firm participates at the highest ("Leadership") level in this EPA program (see B&D's Partner Profile.)

• In all of its offices, the Firm is utilizing paper containing at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content for all standard in-house printing and copying.

• Firm personnel are regularly encouraged to properly separate recyclable products and make full use of available recycling, including not only paper but toner cartridges, cardboard, plastics and other materials where possible.

• The Baltimore office successfully initiated a recycling program that will be available for all tenants of its 27-floor office building by enlisting the support of building management, and researching and locating an appropriate vendor.  Prior to Beveridge & Diamond’s efforts, recycling services were not available in the building.  The Firm’s sustainability program has therefore been able to extend environmental improvements beyond its own offices.

• The Firm has instituted a policy of double-sided copying and printing for drafts and internal documents with a goal of achieving a minimum of 50 percent of each office’s printing and copying double-sided.

• The San Francisco office has achieved a 25% energy savings by replacing light fixtures and bulbs with more efficient alternatives.

• The Firm purchases computer equipment and appliances that are Energy Star compliant, meeting efficiency standards set by EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.

• Consistent with Energy Star guidelines, computer monitors and hard drives are programmed to go into sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, and printers and copiers go into sleep mode after one hour of inactivity.  Computer equipment is shut down each night.

• All Firm personnel are encouraged to minimize use of unnecessary lighting by shutting off lights in rooms not actively being used, and also to unplug telephone, PDA and other chargers.

ARTICLES

"Keen on Green", New York Law Journal, October 2007

"Ending the Paper Chase", ABA Journal, January 2008