Farella is First Major San Francisco Law Firm to Achieve Climate Action Leader Status
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22, 2008 - Farella Braun + Martel LLP, a green business, has successfully verified its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory with the California Climate Action Registry (California Registry), earning the distinction of Climate Action LeaderTM. The firm is now publicly and voluntarily reporting its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data under the rigorous registry program.
The California Registry, created by the California legislature in 2000, is a non-profit public/private partnership that helps companies and organizations throughout the United States track, publicly report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The results are verified by independent third-parties to ensure compliance with California Registry protocols and standardization across participants and sectors. Organizations willing to meet the accounting standards and third-party verification requirements of the California Registry show their serious intent to address climate change. The California Registry has been widely recognized as a one of the highest standards for public reporting of greenhouse gases.
Farella is the first major San Francisco law firm to measure, verify and publicly report its GHG emissions to the California Registry, earning the status of Climate Action Leader. In both its San Francisco and St. Helena, Calif. offices, Farella conducted an intensive analysis of its carbon footprint for 2006 by quantifying and assessing its GHG emissions. This enabled the firm to set emissions goals for 2007 and for future years. Farella will report and verify its 2007 emissions data once assessed.
"As one of the first law firms in the country to be certified as a green business, we haven't hesitated in our environmental mission," said Steve Lowenthal, firm chairman. "Through important programs like this, we continue to challenge ourselves to do even more to minimize our environmental footprint. Further, having first-hand experience with the various certification and verification processes gives us a clear leg up in helping our clients to navigate their own sustainable business paths. With one of the most comprehensive environmental practices in the country, as well as ‘green' real estate, construction, hospitality and product stewardship practices, our ability to stay ahead of the curve in this important business arena is critical."
"We applaud Farella Braun + Martel's efforts in leading the legal sector in the area of climate change. They are walking the walk in their commitment to sustainability," said Gary Gero, interim president of the California Climate Action Registry. "The firm is gaining an important advantage by preparing for a future carbon-constrained world."
Since September 2006, Farella has incorporated a number of green initiatives, starting with its certification by the Bay Area/San Francisco Green Business Program and formal adoption of a firmwide Environmental Policy Statement committing to sustainability in business operations. To obtain certification, Farella instituted a comprehensive set of green policies and practices designed to increase resource conservation and recycling and reduce its operational impacts upon the environment. Farella's Green Program extends to composting and recycling; environmentally preferable purchasing; partnering with local non-profits and organizations for reuse of unneeded computers; supplies and furniture; energy and water conservation; and quantification of greenhouse gas emissions. The firm also joined the Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise program, which advocates for businesses to implement waste reduction programs.
For its efforts, Farella was the recipient of an Acterra 2007 Business Environmental Award for its pollution prevention and resource conservation program.
The California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions. Over 310 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. http://www.climateregistry.org/
Since its founding in 1962, Farella Braun + Martel has achieved a national reputation for the acumen of its business practice, the high profile cases of its complex commercial litigation practice and its prestigious client base. Based in San Francisco, the firm serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses. The firm also has an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry and related businesses. Farella Braun + Martel is a Green Business.
Contacts:
California Climate Action Registry
Katharine Fatton
213.891.1444
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
Cheryl Loof
415.954.4433