b'ABOUT AUSLSASSUSTAINABILITY REPORTING Since 2009 AusLSA members have reported their environmental sustainability performance based on a set of standardised reporting criteria and metrics created by AusLSA, its partners and members. Over the past five years the AusLSA Sustainability Framework has progressively expanded to include a broader group of material social sustainability issues. However each year a range of emerging sustainability issues will continue to be considered and updates made as necessary. This years annual report includes new information on modern slavery management.The key purposes of the annual AusLSA reporting process areTo guide members awareness of the range of sustainability issues and measures they should considerTo provide a framework for AusLSA members to track the sustainability status of their operations and the effectiveness of their sustainability initiatives To increase the understanding and transparency of the social and environmental impacts of the Australian legal sectorAusLSAs sustainability reporting is unique. It is the only industry sustainability reporting system in Australia that uses a common reporting scope, boundary and methodologies. This has many advantages over the usual approach of individual sustainability reporting where organisations may use varying standards, methodologies and assumptions, making comparability challenging. AusLSA reporting provides members with quality and comparable management and planning information based on consistent approaches, tools and long-term time series data. It also provides their staff, customers and other interested stakeholders with detailed information on both individual and industry progress.Why do AusLSA members report?Environmental and health crises such as droughts, bushfires, catastrophic weather events and now COVID are triggering increased awareness and interest in the different features and roles of governments and businesses. Law firms have been leaders in developing and communicating their broader value to the communities where they operate and as members of society.AusLSA members are part of a growing business community who recognize how their social impact and the values they demonstrate contribute to their communities as well as their business strength and competitiveness. They also recognise that their employees and customers are increasingly assessing the values they demonstrate and the purpose they pursue. AusLSA members believe that reporting is a key part of demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. They understand that this reporting should align with and continually evolve to meet the best practice international models and the approaches taken by their key customers and competitors.The tenth Annual Review of the State of CSR in Australia and New Zealand of 1,107 professionals from across corporate and government sectors found that assessing and reporting impact and performance was the highest sustainability priority. The survey also showed that eighty-nine percent understood that sustainability reporting helped the reputation of their business and eighty-four percent said that it reduced risk. All AusLSA members are different and will choose to prioritise their efforts based on their individual challenges, opportunities and preferences. However, the discipline of standardised and regular public reporting allows firms to not only monitor their progress against their own expectations but also to compare themselves against the standards and leadership within their peer group. This information can be used to manage the allocation of effort and management focus to improve in chosen areas.By reporting together, AusLSA shows industry stakeholders that its members are committed in collaborating to not only improve their individual sustainability outcomes but also make a contribution to the sustainability of the legal sector as a whole. 8'