www.clearygottlieb.com

Environmental Statement

Last Updated: November 2024

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (hereafter “Cleary Gottlieb” or “Firm”) is committed to the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility and ethical conduct. This environmental statement reflects a portion of the work Cleary Gottlieb has conducted to enhance its sustainability practices. Cleary Gottlieb recognizes the reality of our climate crisis and is committed to being an environmental advocate with this in mind.

I. Guidelines for Cleary Gottlieb’s Environmental Objectives and Practices

Cleary Gottlieb is committed to the following:

  • Net Zero Emissions: Achieving a Net-Zero GHG emissions goal by 2040, in alignment with the Firm’s approved net-zero science-based target. This involves monitoring our operational emissions and those of our vendors.
  • Emissions Inventory and Reduction: Tracking scope 1, 2, and 3[1]  greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis, beginning in 2019. The Firm will reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions 75% and scope 3 emissions 42% by 2030, from a 2022 base year, in alignment with the Firm’s approved near-term science-based target.
  • Staff Travel: Reducing emissions from business and staff travel from our 2019 baseline.
  • Renewable Energy: Expanding the percentage of electricity and/or energy sourced from renewable sources such as solar, hydropower, wind, and geo-thermal. The Firm will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to compensate when the use of non-renewable energy is required, as it has since 2023.
  • Waste Reduction: Reducing overall waste — including food, paper products, and more —through source reduction, recycling, re-use, education of our personnel, and empowering right decision and action through convenient and logical systems infrastructure.
  • Energy Efficiency: Increasing energy efficiency through partnerships with building owners that address equipment, lighting, occupancy monitoring, and other energy efficiency improvements.
  • Purchasing & Supplier Engagement: Strengthening sourcing practices with preferential purchasing of environmentally friendly suppliers and prioritizing relationships with vendors who demonstrate commitment to improving their environmental impacts. See our Sustainable Purchasing Policy for more.
  • Regulatory Adherence: Complying with, or exceeding the requirements of, all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the regions where we operate.
  • Governance: Overseeing environmental efforts through annual review of environmental policies, targets, and processes, and identification of continuous improvement opportunities.

Cleary Gottlieb is committed to carrying out the Guidelines listed above across all its global offices and submits annual disclosures to CDP and EcoVadis to monitor progress and compliance. The Firm values collaborative conversations on this topic with our clients, vendors, and other stakeholders and we welcome requests for further information.

[1] Scope 1: Generation of direct emissions from offices through onsite combustion and use of natural gas for heating and appliances, and through fugitive emissions (leaks) from refrigeration.

Scope 2: Emissions created elsewhere for office operations, including steam heat and electricity.

Scope 3: Indirect emissions sources from staff commuting and leased facilities (such as data centers and even work conducted at home), waste generation, business travel and transportation and the firm’s supply chain.