b'ENVIRONMENT| LEGAL SECTOR| 2022SUSTAINABILITY INSIGHTENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCEAusLSA has been reporting on the environmental commitment and performance of Australian Law firms since 2009. During this time, the level of awareness and accountability for environmental action has increased significantly, which is reflected in the number of law firms participating, the nature of the commitments, and the level of performance they are reporting. Each year AusLSA has also reviewed and increased the depth and analysis of the data collected. This year we have collected and reported new information on our law firm members developing climate change action.In last years report, which included a full twelve months of the effects of disruptions from COVID, we commented that the environmental report showed a year like no other with massive reductions in energy, travel and paper use continuing from the previous year. While in the first part of the reporting period, we had state border closures, which resulted in dramatic reductions to most measures, in the latter part of the year, many law firms had begun to welcome staff back to the office, and interstate and international air travel began to grow.This year AusLSA has observed a continued increase in AusLSA member efforts to embed their environmental commitments more formally, using systems such as AusLSAs Environmental Management System (AEMS). EMS help to guide the firms measurement, planning, monitoring and continuous improvement. Such plans more clearly demonstrate to clients, employees, and management that firms are proactively and effectively managing their environmental impacts in a time of increasing global focus.This years report continues to measure all the parameters counted in previous years, including consumption related to the following environmental impacts:greenhouse gas emissions from office-based consumption of electricity and gas; greenhouse gas emissions from air and car travel;greenhouse gas emissions from the use of refrigerants;damage to forests and other ecosystems from the harvesting and production of paper and land degradation and resource wastage through the management of waste and recycling. 2022 AusLSA Member PerformanceForty-two firms provided their data this year, up from the highest previous participation of 38 firms last year. The growing participation reflects the recruitment of 5 new AusLSA members since last year. The report covers 22,629 law firm employees, which is similar to last year. Thirty-three firms experienced growth in staff numbers during 2022, and nine firms recorded decreases. The return to the office and return to travel has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions this year following two years of COVID-based reductions in resource use. Air travel greenhouse gas emissions increased by 314 per cent this year, driving an increase in emissions from business travel and overall gross greenhouse gas emissions. GHG emissions from electricity in members offices shrunk by eight per cent despite the removal of various state government lockdowns and firm-based safety measures. This was due to a combination of continuing energy efficiency measures and increased renewable electricity purchased. Paper consumption also decreased by 27 per cent, which follows the continued uptake of digital systems and processes by firms, clients and courts, as well as continued remote working.Member firms increased their gross total greenhouse gas emissions by 23 per cent per employee from last year driven by the increased emissions from flights.The challenge for the future is to build on the progress that has been forced on us and, as lockdowns and travel restrictions relax, to reassess the full costs and benefits of different ways of operating.Total GHG Emissions per employee4.0 3.43.5 3.13.0 2.72.5 3.0 2.92.0 1.51.5 2.0 1.21.0 1.30.5 0.80.01 2 3 4 5Total GHG Emissions per employee Net GHG Emissions per Employee64'