b'BACK TO NAVIGATIONABOUT AUSLSASSUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AusLSA sustainability reporting is centred on a consistent suite of reporting criteria and metrics created by AusLSA in collaboration with its partners and members. AusLSA members have reported their environmental sustainability performance this way for the last 12 years; however, in the previous six reports, AusLSAs Sustainability Framework has progressively expanded to include a broader set of material social and environmental issues. The materiality of different sustainability issues will continue to be reviewed and upgrades made each year as necessary. For example, last years annual report included increased information on modern slavery management, while this years reporting members have begun to provide expanded information about how they approach climate action.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 tailored reporting scope, boundary and methodologies. This consistent approach has many advantages over independent sustainability reporting where different organisations will use differing standards, methodologies and assumptions, making comparability and quality assurance difficult. 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 floods, bushfires, famines, and most recently, COVID are triggering increased awareness of, and interest in, the 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 recognise that the social impact they generate and the values they demonstrate increases their business strength and competitiveness. They also recognise that both their employees and customers are increasingly interested in the purpose they pursue and the values they demonstrate.AusLSA members know 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 expected by their clients 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 per cent understood that sustainability reporting helped the reputation of their business and eighty-four per cent said that it reduced risk.All AusLSA members are different and will choose to prioritise their efforts based on their individual values, 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 focus the allocation of effort and management 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. 9'