Looking after the environment
Knights is deeply committed to minimising the environmental footprint of the Group’s operations and we are making positive changes across the business to deliver on that ambition.
Compared to other sectors, the Group’s environmental impact is relatively low, but we recognise that every business must play a part in reducing emissions and tackling climate change.
Consumption
- Paper usage 30% lower than the peer group
Waste
- Hazardous waste 0kg
- Recycled/energy recovery 100%
Traditionally, law firms are heavy paper users. Our investment in technology and commitment to a ‘paper-lite’ way of working across the Group supports our aim to be continually below the industry average in terms of our paper usage.
During FY23, our paper consumption was 30% lower than our peer group.
With our continued focus on investing in technology, we aim to reduce our paper consumption from its current level of 4,300 pages per employee per year.
Knights’ ‘one team’ culture and ability to provide a premium service to clients are reliant on building relationships with colleagues and clients. Therefore, the way in which we use our office space is important, and it represents our biggest use of energy and carbon emissions.
The Group has a twofold strategy to achieve a further reduction in the footprint of our office space:
- Maximise efficiency of space by consolidating operations into fewer, larger offices, making the best use of space via open-plan layouts, and minimising paper use to reduce the need for filing cabinets and printers, plus flexible working to increase occupancy. For example, in York we have consolidated from two offices into one, reducing energy consumption whilst providing a dramatically improved working environment.
- Maximise energy efficiency by relocating to Grade A space with more efficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems and superior insulation. This has resulted in an energy reduction of circa 9%.
We are rapidly modernising our businesses as we grow, investing in improving digital infrastructure and ensuring our offices are premium spaces.
In September 2023, we opened a new flagship office in Brighton, ahead of plans for further growth across the South East.
Our team in Brighton are now based in Grade A office space at the award-winning Edward Street Quarter – delivering on our real estate strategy to provide premium, energy-efficient spaces for work and collaboration with colleagues and clients.