b'GOVERNANCE| LEGAL SECTOR| 2021SUSTAINABILITY INSIGHTSUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT2021 AusLSA Member PerformanceThe uptake of sustainable supply chain management programs or policies that address the sustainability impacts that occur as a result of the products and services procured by AusLSA members has grown significantly this year. Eighty-seven percent of firms had sustainable supply chain programs in place this year compared with forty-eight percent last year. Ninety-three percent of these firms have now applied these standards to their existing suppliers as well as when establishing new contracts. Of the firms with sustainable supply chain programs, environmental considerations were most popular with all firms considering them in their procurement decisions. The next most popular elements were human rights issues which featured in ninety-five percent of firms procurement choices. Inclusion of indigenous inclusion issues increased fifty percent with eighty-nine percent of firms seeking goods and services from indigenous suppliers.The largest change to sustainable procurement has been the preparation for compliance with the Australian and NSW governments reporting requirements under their modern slavery legislation and (which are now due on the 31 March 2022 for the majority of AusLSA members). Fifty-nine percent had commenced their programs to manage the risk of exposure to modern slavery however seventy seven percent reported that they would need to develop statements outlining progress on effective management outlined in the act suggesting rapid action will be required in many cases. Challenges and Opportunities For sustainable supply chain management practices to be workable in the business sector they need to be operationally practical and financially viable in addition to being ethically preferable. Making sustainable procurement a practical and low risk commitment for law firms requires an investment in better information about current products and suppliers as well as more sustainable alternatives. Law firms can begin by researching and adopting the most applicable and beneficial sustainability certifications for the most significant products they use.Sustainable supply chain management is still a relatively new practice in Australia and information about the sustainability impacts or products and the options for more sustainable alternatives is incomplete and often difficult to find and interpret. The Australian Governments recent Modern Slavery legislation and regulations will require most AusLSA members to develop new systems to research, understand manage their supply chain for modern slavery risks. AusLSA will work with members to share resources and information and look at the opportunities to develop tools to better manage this process. The development of these systems can ultimately be recalibrated to deal with different sustainability issues. Future climate change commitments will also provide a likely driver for firms to understand and internalise the greenhouse gas emissions from priority products in their supply chain, both their own purposes and for the needs of their customers.Like other areas of sustainability this process is a journey that requires commitment, leadership and innovation. Its a challenge made easier by customers like law firms working together and with suppliers to share information, systems and tools to collect and evaluate the sustainability of the products and services they use. This cooperation neednt be limited to the legal sector. Many of the products and services used by the legal sector are identical to those used more broadly in commerce and government. 80'