RDJ aims to be a net-zero emissions business by 2040, with a 50% reduction by 2028. Through key policies, we integrate environmentally friendly practices throughout our day-to-day business activities to ensure, where possible, our practice has a minimal impact on the environment.

A dedicated cross-functional sustainability team ensures we continually strive to reduce our energy, water and paper usage, as well as purchase materials thoughtfully from environmentally sound suppliers, and reuse and recycle wherever we can.

We are meeting our targets by focusing on:

Sustainable offices. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, RDJ’s Cork and Dublin offices are housed in next-generation, Gold LEED certified buildings with features that include rainwater harvesting, solar reflective energy efficient glazing, renewable heat pump technology and intelligent LED lighting systems, along with access to sustainable modes of transport. Open plan design allows for lower use of energy for air conditioning units. A dedicated cross-functional sustainability team ensures we continually strive to reduce our energy, water and paper usage, as well as purchase materials from environmentally sound suppliers, and reuse and recycle wherever we can.

Sustainable transport. All three of our offices are in city centre locations with access to sustainable modes of transport. Employees are encouraged to use public transport when commuting to the office with travel saver and bike-to-work schemes available to all employees. Initiatives like this are led from the top with senior members of the firm commuting to the office by foot, bike, or bus. Public transport is mandated for travel between offices through expense policies. Over the past number of years, RDJ has also heavily invested in security and related IT infrastructure to facilitate remote working, reducing our carbon footprint as more employees work from home and commute less.

Move to digital solutions. One of our big environmental impacts as a law firm is the production of paper documents. With the introduction of digital platforms such as High Q, Egress and Bundledocs, we are able to share large amounts of information securely with clients and third parties without the requirement for the hard copying of documents. We have a target to become 50% digital by 2025 and fully digital by 2030.

Waste reduction. Waste is segregated in all three of our offices between general, recyclable, and compostable, with additional battery and light bulb recycling stations available for employees. Instead of individual desk bins, waste collection is consolidated in common areas with labelled containers for general, recyclable, and compostable. Use of single-use cups has been replaced with the distribution of KeepCups to all employees.

Assisting clients on their ESG journey. As the risks of climate change increase, helping clients navigate the ever changing legal and regulatory landscape on their ESG journey is also a priority for RDJ. We advise clients on areas such as sustainable finance, sustainable real estate investment and development, renewable energy and green leases.