2022 Communication on Progress

Allens

Published date

August 5, 2022

No. of questions

63

Supplemental files

CEO Statement

Signed

  • Governance

    Policies and Responsibilities

    1. Does the Board / highest governance body or most senior executive of the company:

    2. Does the company have a publicly stated commitment regarding the following sustainability topics?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we plan to have a commitment within 2 years

    Yes, and the commitment is focused on our own operations

    Yes, and the commitment includes our own operations and the value chain

    Yes, and the commitment includes our own operations and the value chain along with communities and society

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Links to support the above answers: Modern Slavery Statement: https://modernslaveryregister.gov.au/statements/file/f15af8b9-bd50-4527-be74-a3ea172a7a09/ Supplier Code of Conduct: https://www.allens.com.au/globalassets/pdfs/about/responsible-sourcing_allens-spplier-code-of-conduct.pdf Environmental Policy: https://www.allens.com.au/globalassets/pdfs/about/environmentalpolicy.pdf Inclusion and diversity: https://www.allens.com.au/about/inclusion-and-diversity/ In addition to the links provided, Allens is also a signatory to the UN Women's Empowerment Principles, the NSW Law Society’s Charter for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession, the Law Institute of Victoria's Charter for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession and the Law Council of Australia's Diversity and Equality Charter.

    3. Does the company have in place a code of conduct regarding each of the following sustainability topics?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we plan to have a code of conduct within two years

    Yes, focused on employee conduct

    Yes, focused on employees and suppliers

    Yes, focused on employees, suppliers, and other business relationships

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Allens has an Ethics Code that addresses our professional obligations, ethical standards and compliance responsibilities, including in relation to anti-corruption and labour rights. Allens also has a Supplier Code of Conduct that sets out the minimum standards we expect of our suppliers regarding ethical business practices, human rights and labour practices, and environmental management.

    4. Has the company appointed an individual or group responsible for each of the following sustainability topics?

    No one is specifically responsible for this topic

    Yes, with limited influence on outcomes (e.g., limited access to internal information, limited decision-making authority)

    Yes, with moderate influence on outcomes (e.g., has access to relevant information, reports to senior manager)

    Yes, with direct influence of some outcomes (e.g., has access to relevant information, includes one or more senior manager with decision making rights

    Yes, with direct influence at the highest levels of the organization (e.g., has access to relevant information, includes most senior members of organization)

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Allens has appointed managers and committees responsible for human rights, labour rights, environment and anti-corruption. Relevant groups and committees within the firm include our Community Engagement Board, Responsible Sourcing and Modern Slavery Working Group, Sustainability Secretariat, Risk Management Committee, Women at Allens Committee, Cultural Awareness Network, ALLin (LGBTIQ+) Network and Indigenous Reconciliation Committee.

    5. Does the company have a formal structure(s) (such as a cross-functional committee) to address each of the following sustainability topics?

    No formal structure

    Yes, and with limited influence on outcomes (e.g., limited access to internal information necessary to understand risks, poor representation from relevant departments or functions)

    Yes, with moderate influence on outcomes (e.g., it includes representatives of some functions, departments, or business units most relevant for addressing the risks concerned, has access to relevant information, reports to senior manager)

    Yes, with direct influence on some outcomes (e.g., it includes representatives of functions, departments, or business units most relevant for addressing the risks concerned, has access to relevant information, it involves one or more members of senior management)

    Yes, and with direct influence at the highest level of the organization (e.g., full access to relevant information, it involves members at highest level of organization)

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Please refer to our response to G4 for further information.

    Prevention

    6. Does the company have a process or processes to assess risk?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we are planning to develop one in the next two years

    Yes, related to our own operations

    Yes, related to our own operations and entire value chain and other business relationships

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    Optional comment
    Risk assessment processes are in connection with our operations and for some third party relationships. For example, our responsible sourcing program includes risk assessment processes in connection with our supply chain.

    6.1. During the assessment of risk, which business relationships are reviewed?

    A few suppliers or business relationships [approximately less than 25 %]

    Several suppliers / business relationships (i.e., first tier or other high priority) [approx. 25 - 50 %]

    Most suppliers / relevant business relationships [approx. 51 - 99 %]

    All suppliers / relevant business relationships outside the supply chain

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    7. Does the company have a due diligence process through which it identifies, prevents, mitigates, and accounts for actual and potential negative impacts on sustainability topics?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we are planning to develop one in the next two years

    Yes, related to our own operations

    Yes, related to our own operations and entire value chain and other business relationships

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    Optional comment
    Due diligence processes are in connection with our operations and for some third party relationships. For example, our responsible sourcing program includes due diligence processes in connection with our supply chain.

    7.1. During the due diligence process, which business relationships are reviewed?

    A few suppliers or business relationships [approximately less than 25 %]

    Several suppliers / business relationships (i.e., first tier or other high priority) [approx. 25 - 50 %]

    Most suppliers / relevant business relationships [approx. 51 - 99 %]

    All suppliers / relevant business relationships outside the supply chain

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    Concerns and grievance mechanisms

    8. Are there any processes through which members of the company’s workforce can raise concerns about the company’s conduct related to human rights, labour rights, environment, or anti-corruption?

    Optional comment
    Allens people can raise concerns about the firm's conduct related to human rights, labour rights, environment or anti-corruption through a fully independent external service offering complete anonymity for our people to raise grievances. Our Resolving Issues and Whistleblowing policies also provide the framework for raising concerns regarding conduct.

    8.1. Please provide additional detail regarding the process(es) the company has through which members of the company’s workforce can raise concerns about the company’s conduct.

    No

    Yes

    Is the process communicated to all employees/workers in local languages?

    Is the process available to non-employees (e.g., contractors, vendors, suppliers)?

    Is the process confidential (e.g., whistleblowing process)?

    Are there processes in place to avoid retaliation?

    Can concerns be raised about suppliers or other business relationships (e.g., clients, partners, etc.)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    9. Does the company provide or enable access to effective remedy to right holders / stakeholders where it has caused or contributed to the adverse impact?

    No process to enable remedy to stakeholders

    Remedy available to some stakeholders (i.e., some geographies, employees only)

    Remedy is available to all affected stakeholders

    Remedy is available to all stakeholders, and suppliers are expected to have similar policies

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Please refer to our responses to G8 and G8.1.

    Lessons

    10. How does the company capture lessons regarding each of the following sustainability topics?

    No lessons are regularly captured

    Conducts root cause analyses/investigation of major incidents

    Conducts root cause analyses/investigation and changes organizational policies, processes, and practices accordingly

    Systematically conducts root cause analyses/investigation and leverages learnings to influence both internal and external affairs

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Allens uses a variety of mechanisms and tools to capture lessons learnt regarding human rights, labour rights, environment and anti-corruption. These include employee surveys and internal and external reporting processes. Through the firm's groups and committees (as listed in G4) we also take action to monitor and assess the effectiveness of relevant programs and actions.

    Executive Pay

    11. Is executive pay linked to performance on one or more of the following sustainability topics?

    No, and we have no intention to change

    No, but we plan to within two years

    Yes

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Board Composition

    12. Percentage of individuals within the company’s Board / highest governance body by:

    Number/Percentage

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Total number of board members (#)

    12

    Male (%)

    58

    Female (%)

    42

    Non-binary (%)

    0

    Under 30 years old (%)

    0

    30-50 years old (%)

    33

    Above 50 years old (%)

    67

    From minority or vulnerable groups (%)

    We do not capture and track individual demographic data beyond diversity dimensions such as age and gender identity.

    Executive (%)

    83

    Independent (%)

    17

    13. Do you produce sustainability reporting according to:

    Allens maintains Climate Active carbon neutral certification for our Australian offices. We publish an annual public disclosure statement detailing our greenhouse gas emissions inventory and steps we've taken to achieve carbon neutrality. As a member of the Australian Legal Sector Alliance (AusLSA), we also publicly report on the firm's sustainability performance in the AusLSA annual Legal Sector Sustainability Insight member report.

    Data Assurance

    14. Is the information disclosed in this questionnaire assured by a third-party?

    Optional comment
    The firm's greenhouse gas emissions calculations are subject to an independent technical assessment at least once every three years (in compliance with the Australian Government's Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard). The most recent technical assessment was conducted for our FY20 greenhouse gas emissions inventory.

  • Human Rights

    Materiality / Saliency

    1. Which of the following has the company identified as material human rights issues connected with its operations and/or value chain, whether based on their salience (i.e., the most severe potential negative impacts on people) or another basis?

    As a legal services provider, we have identified fair and equal access to justice as one of our material human rights issues. We demonstrate our commitment to promoting fair and equal access to justice, and supporting and respecting human rights through our extensive human rights-focused pro bono practice. We work directly with disadvantaged individuals, and through long-term partnerships with non-government organisations with expertise in relevant areas of law, including asylum seeker rights, poverty law and Indigenous justice.
    Optional comment
    Allens has identified the selected human rights topics as the most important to our business. Our selection is based on both potential negative impacts to people and our capacity to protect and advance human rights.

    Response

    8. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the human rights principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    As a law firm, our core business is the provision of legal services. During the last year, approximately 3% of our legal work was provided, at no cost, to represent individuals and organisations in legal matters that advance human rights. This work included matters that focus on the right to asylum, the right to shelter, the right to live free from unlawful discrimination and the rights of Indigenous peoples. We work in long-term partnerships with a range of public interest organisations that work to advance the rights of refugees, those facing homelessness, LGBTIQ+ rights and Indigenous rights, providing support including legal assistance, financial support and other in-kind resourcing to build capacity and help their constituencies.

  • Labour

    Commitment

    1. Does the company have a policy commitment in relation to the following labour rights principles?

    No, and we have no plans to develop a policy

    No, but we plan to in the next two years

    Yes, included within a broader policy

    Yes, articulated as a stand-alone policy

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    2021

    Child labour

    2021

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    2021

    Occupational safety and health

    2021

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    2021
    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and collective bargaining is uncommon in our sector.

    1.1. For each labour rights policy, is it:

    Aligned with international labour standards?

    Publicly available?

    Approved at most senior level of the company?

    Applied to the company’s own operations?

    Applied to the company’s supply chain and/or other business relationships?

    Developed involving labour rights expertise from inside and outside the company?

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    Prevention

    2. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following labour rights issues?

    No engagement on this topic

    To better understand the risks/ impacts in question

    To discuss potential ways to prevent or mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To agree on a way to prevent/ mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To assess progress in preventing/ mitigating the risks /impacts in question

    To collaborate in the prevention/ mitigation of the risks/ impacts in question

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Allens is a provider of legal services and collective bargaining is uncommon in our sector. In the firm's Supplier Code of Conduct we include the following expectation of suppliers: Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining must be respected. Workers must be permitted to associate freely, bargain collectively and seek representation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Suppliers must also provide workers with a mechanism to confidentially report grievances without fear of penalty, reprisal or harassment.

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    3. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with this labour rights issue?

    Provided internal training/ capacity building for the direct workforce

    Building capacity among relevant business relationships (e.g., partners, suppliers, clients, etc.)

    Conducting an audit process and/or corrective action plan

    Collective Action with peers or other stakeholders, in particular workers' organizations, to address the issue

    Collaboration with governmental or regulatory bodies

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    No action within reporting period

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    4. Who receives training for the following labour rights issues?

    No training provided

    Select employees

    All employees

    Contractors

    Direct suppliers of the organization

    Indirect suppliers of the organization

    Other – such as partners, clients, etc.

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    5. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following labour rights issues?

    No monitoring of progress

    Review issues on ad-hoc basis

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal programs only)

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal and external programs)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Allens is a provider of legal services and collective bargaining is uncommon in our sector.

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    Performance

    6. What is the percentage of employees covered under collective bargaining agreements?

    Percent of employees (%)

    Unknown

    Employees covered under collective bargaining (%)

    0
    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and collective bargaining is uncommon in our sector.

    7. What is the percentage of employees in a trade union or other workers' organization?

    Percent of employees (%)

    Unknown

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Employees in a trade union or on a worker committee (%)

    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and involvement in a trade union is uncommon in our sector.

    8. In the course of the reporting period, what was the percentage of women in:

    Percent of women (%)

    Unknown

    Senior leadership level position

    45

    Non-executive board

    50

    9. What was the average ratio of the basic salary and remuneration of women to men (comparing jobs of equal value) during the reporting period?

    Salary ratio (%)

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Women / Men (%)

    1
    Optional comment
    This ratio has been calculated in relation to our Australian offices. We are committed to gender pay parity (ie men and women receiving comparable remuneration for roles and work of comparable levels, expectations and performance). Aligned with this commitment we have a fixed remuneration pay parity target of +/-1%. This target ensures that men and women in like-for-like roles have fixed remuneration with less than 1% variance by gender across the organisation (ie equal fixed pay and no gender bias).

    10. In the course of the reporting period, how frequently were workers injured (injuries per hour worked)?

    Frequency of injury

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Frequency of injury

    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and an office-based business, and the incidence of worker injuries is very low in our sector.

    11. In the course of the reporting period, what was the company’s incident rate?

    Incident rate

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Incident rate

    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and an office-based business, and the incidence of worker injuries is very low in our sector.

    Response and Reporting

    12. In the course of the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy where it has caused or contributed to the adverse impact associated with the following labour rights issues?

    Yes

    No

    Choose to not disclose

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    13. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the labour rights principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    At Allens, we are proud of the focus and strategies we have in place to drive diversity and inclusion, holistic wellbeing and flexibility. Through 2021 and 2022, a range of significant initiatives have taken place to execute on these strategies, including a staff inclusion and respect survey, enhancing our new parents package and continuing our commitment to flexible working to support our people in balancing their work roles and roles outside of Allens, joining Welcome Here and committing to their charter for LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and appointing an in-house Consulting Psychologist. We want everyone at Allens to have a fulfilling experience, characterised by respect, fairness and equal opportunity and, to support this aim, we formed a Culture and Conduct program in 2021. Through the program, we have implemented a wide range of initiatives including consultation, education, training and a review of support channels and grievance mechanisms. With 37% female partners (as of 1 July 2022) and more than 50% female legal professionals, we exceeded our goal of at least 35% female partners by 2022. We have now set a new target of at least 40% female partners by 2025 under our 40:40:20 goal: 40% women, 40% men and 20% any gender (women, men or non-binary persons). We were also recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (a citation we have held for the past 18 years).

  • Environment

    Commitment

    1. Does the company have a formal policy on the following environmental topics?

    No, and we have no plans to develop a policy

    No, but we plan to in the next two years

    Yes, included within a broader policy

    Yes, articulated as a stand-alone policy

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    2021

    Water

    Allens is a provider of legal services and, although we seek to minimise environmental impacts in relation to all of the listed topics, we have not identified water, oceans and air pollution as material issues for our business.

    Oceans

    Allens is a provider of legal services and, although we seek to minimise environmental impacts in relation to all of the listed topics, we have not identified water, oceans and air pollution as material issues for our business.

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    2021

    Air Pollution

    Allens is a provider of legal services and, although we seek to minimise environmental impacts in relation to all of the listed topics, we have not identified water, oceans and air pollution as material issues for our business.

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    2021

    Energy & Resource Use

    2021

    1.1. For each environmental policy, is it:

    Aligned with international environmental standards?

    Publicly available?

    Approved at most senior level of the company?

    Applied to the company’s own operations?

    Applied to the company’s supply chain and/or other business relationships?

    Developed involving environmental expertise from inside and outside the company?

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    Optional comment
    In addition to our Environmental Policy, Allens has a Supplier Code of Conduct which sets out the minimum standards we expect of our suppliers, including in relation to environmental management.

    Prevention

    2. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following environmental issues?

    No engagement on this topic

    To better understand the risks/ impacts in question

    To discuss potential ways to prevent or mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To agree on a way to prevent/ mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To assess progress in preventing/ mitigating the risks/ impacts in question

    To collaborate in the prevention/ mitigation of the risks/ impacts in question

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and, although we seek to minimise environmental impacts in relation to all of the listed topics, we have not identified water, oceans and air pollution as material issues for our business.

    3. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with these environmental topics?

    Provided internal training/ capacity building for the direct workforce

    Building capacity among relevant business relationships (e.g., partners, suppliers, clients, etc.)

    Conducting an audit process and/or corrective action plan

    Collective Action with peers or other stakeholders to address the issue

    Collaboration with governmental or regulatory bodies

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    No action within reporting period

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    During 2021 we transitioned to purchasing 100% GreenPower accredited energy for our Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne offices.
    Optional comment
    Allens is a founding member of Climate Active, a partnership between the Australian Government and businesses to drive voluntary climate action. We are also a member of the Australian Legal Sector Alliance, an association of law firms working collaboratively to promote sustainability in the legal sector. Our Australian offices are members of CitySwitch, a local network of office-based businesses seeking to improve energy and waste efficiency. Through the firm's Climate Change and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) legal practice teams, we regularly publish legal updates and provide training to our client's in-house legal teams on relevant topics including in relation to climate-related risk mitigation and renewable energy procurement.

    4. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following environmental topics?

    No monitoring of progress

    Review issues on ad-hoc basis

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal programs only)

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal and external programs)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    We monitor and report on greenhouse gas emissions associated with water consumption in our Australian offices.

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    Optional comment
    Allens maintains an environmental management system in our Australian offices to ensure we systematically implement and monitor the progress of mitigation measures, including in relation to waste, energy use and resource use. Through the firm's Climate Active carbon neutral certification, we produce an annual public disclosure statement detailing our goals, and the greenhouse gas emissions reduction performance of our Australian offices.

    4.1. For each environmental topic in which the company sets timebound goals / targets, what kind of targets has the company set?

    Description of targets (e.g., what is the target, absolute vs. intensity, externally verified, on track, etc.)

    Climate Action

    Greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon neutrality.

    Energy & Resource Use

    Water

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Oceans

    Optional comment
    Allens sets greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon neutrality goals as part of the firm's Climate Active carbon neutral certification for our Australian offices. During the reporting period, Allens engaged consultants to advise in relation to the development of an emissions reduction target in line with climate science.

    4.2. For each environmental topic in which the company sets timebound goals / targets, how is progress against target / goal tracked?

    Progress is reviewed against goals annually or more frequently

    Progress is reported internally to the most senior level

    Progress is reported externally

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Please refer to our response to E4.

    Energy & Resource Use

    Water

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Oceans

    5. In the course of the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy for any actual impacts associated with the following environmental issue(s)?

    Yes

    No

    Choose to not disclose

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    Climate Action

    6. What were the company’s gross global greenhouse gas emissions for the reporting period?

    Scope 1 Emissions

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    14.5

    Scope 2 Emissions

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    707.3

    Scope 3 Emissions

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    4250.4
    Optional comment
    Allens calculates and reports greenhouse gas emissions for its Australian offices on a financial year basis. The data disclosed in our response relates to the firm's Australian offices for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

    7. What percentage of the company's revenue was invested in R&D of low-carbon products/services during this reporting period?

    Percent of revenue (%)

    Allens is a provider of legal services, and R&D for low carbon products/services is not applicable to our business.

    8. Has the organization acted to support climate change adaptation and resilience?

    Energy / Resource Use

    9. Please report the company's renewable energy consumption as a percentage of total energy consumption in the reporting period.

    % of total energy consumption

    34
    Optional comment
    Allens calculates and reports electricity consumption for our Australian offices on a financial year basis. The data disclosed in our response relates to the firm's Australian offices for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 and relates to our purchase of GreenPower-accredited electricity. We purchase 100% GreenPower-accredited electricity for our tenancy electricity in Sydney and Melbourne.

    Technology

    10. What percent of the company's revenue came from environmentally friendly products / services during this reporting period?

    Percent of total revenue (%)

    Allens is a provider of legal services, and revenue from environmentally friendly products/services is not applicable to our business.

    Sector-specific Questions

    11. Which sector(s) does the company operate in? If diversified, choose top 3 by revenue.

    Optional comment
    Legal services

    Sector-specific: Water

    12. Please provide details regarding the company's water withdrawal and consumption (own operations) during the reporting period.

    Water withdrawal (volume of water in megaliters):

    Mega-liters

    Unknown

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Total

    Allens is a provider of legal services and water withdrawal is not applicable to our business.

    Groundwater:

    Allens is a provider of legal services and water withdrawal is not applicable to our business.

    Surface water:

    Allens is a provider of legal services and water withdrawal is not applicable to our business.

    Rainwater:

    Allens is a provider of legal services and water withdrawal is not applicable to our business.

    Wastewater:

    Allens is a provider of legal services and water withdrawal is not applicable to our business.

    Percentage of water withdrawn in regions with high or extremely high water stress (%)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and water withdrawal is not applicable to our business.

    Water consumption (volume of water in megaliters):

    Mega-liters

    Unknown

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Total

    9.2

    Groundwater:

    Surface water:

    Rainwater:

    Wastewater:

    Percentage of water consumed in regions with high or extremely high water stress (%)

    0
    Optional comment
    In FY21, we consumed 9.2 ML of water in connection with the operation of our offices in Australia.

    13. Please provide details about the company’s water intensity of products in regions with high or extremely high water stress.

    Water intensity of products (cubic meter/$):

    Allens is a law firm, and we provide legal services.

    Sector-specific: Air pollution

    17. Where applicable, please report the company's emissions of the following pollutants during the reporting period.

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    Unknown

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    NOx

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    SOx

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    Hazardous air pollutants (HAP)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    Particulate matter (PM10)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    Persistent organic pollutants (POP)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    Other (please specify in text box)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and we take action to minimise our environmental impacts (including our greenhouse gas emissions). Air pollution has not be identified as a material impact area for our business.

    Sector-specific: Waste

    18. Please report the company's total weight of waste generated in metric tonnes during the reporting period.

    Waste Generated (t)

    30.5
    Optional comment
    In FY21, the total waste to landfill for our Australian offices was 30.5 tonnes.

    19. Please report the percentage of the company's waste that was hazardous waste (i.e., hazardous waste ratio) during the reporting period.

    Hazardous Waste Ratio (%)

    Optional comment
    Allens is a provider of legal services and hazardous waste is not a material waste stream for our business. We seek to responsibly manage and recycle e-waste in connection with the use of ICT and other electronic equipment in our offices.

    20. Please report the company's estimated metric tonnes of single-use plastic consumed wherever material along the value chain during the reporting period.

    Single-use plastics (tonnes)

    Allens is a provider of legal services and single-use plastic is not a material waste stream for our business. We take action to discourage the use of single-use plastic in our operations and supply chain.

    Overall Environment

    21. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the environment principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    Allens has a long-standing focus on environmental sustainability. We take action to assess and manage the firm's material environmental impacts and report on the firm's environmental performance. Additional actions taken during the reporting period included reporting on the firm's greenhouse gas emissions through the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) supply chain program for the first time, and joining the UN Global Compact's inaugural Australian Climate Ambition Accelerator program commencing May 2022.

  • Anti-corruption

    Commitment

    1. Does the company have an anti-corruption compliance programme?

    2021

    2. Does your company have policies and recommendations for employees on how to act in case of doubt and/or in situations that may represent a conflict of interest, e.g. with regard to gifts and hospitality, donations, sponsorship, or interactions with public officials?

    Optional comment
    Allens has a stand-alone Anti-Corruption Policy that is supported by other policies and guidance in relation to conflicts of interest, ethical conduct, securities trading and political donations.

    Prevention

    3. Who receives training on anti-corruption and integrity?

    Optional comment
    In addition to our internal training programs, we also provide ethics training sessions for clients as part of the firm's Corporate Counsel Seminar Series (our continuing professional development program for clients).

    3.1. How often is such training provided?

    One time only

    Every year

    Every two or more years

    We do not collect this data

    All employees

    Select employees

    Contractors

    Direct suppliers of the organization

    Other – such as partners, clients, etc.

    Indirect suppliers of the organization

    4. Does the company monitor its anti-corruption compliance programme?

    We use various controls including audits, training and reviews during the course of specific internal processes and partner reviews.

    Response and Reporting

    5. Please report the company's total number and nature of incidents of corruption during the reporting year.

    Number of incident(s)

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Confirmed during the current year, but related to previous years

    0
    0

    Confirmed during the current year, and related to this year

    0
    0

    6. Within the reporting period, what measures has the company taken to address suspected incidents of corruption independently or in response to a dispute or investigation by a government regulator?

    7. Does your company engage in Collective Action against corruption?

    Allens partner Rachel Nicolson chairs the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Workstream for the Global Compact Network Australia (GCNA). During the reporting period, Allens hosted the Australian Dialogue on Bribery and Corruption in partnership with the GCNA.

    8. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the anti-corruption principle, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    In addition to the firm's internal anti-corruption policies and controls, Allens also has a Risk and Compliance Advisory legal team with well-recognised expertise in providing robust compliance programs and due diligence tools in response to increased opportunities for investment in foreign and emerging markets and the rise of anti-corruption monitoring and enforcement.