Funds restoration project
Womble Bond Dickinson has introduced a £300 charge on business class flights taken by its lawyers and staff, with the funds raised going towards restoring native oyster populations along the south coast.
The firm’s latest responsible business report reveals that the “Carbon Fee” was added to its travel policy as part of a wider effort to cut down on business travel emissions. The policy also prioritises lower-emission options such as rail travel and discourages journeys deemed unnecessary altogether.
The money raised through the fee has gone towards the Solent Oyster Restoration Project, delivered in partnership with GreenTheUK. The scheme is one of several native oyster reintroduction projects around the UK aiming to rebuild reef habitats that filter seawater and support marine biodiversity.
Womble Bond Dickinson is not the first firm to put a levy on air travel.
Shoosmiths introduced a £200 levy on staff choosing to fly back in 2022, while Simmons & Simmons committed to cutting air travel more broadly as part of its own green push in 2023. Law firms have increasingly looked to travel policy as a lever for hitting sustainability targets, with flights — and business class seats in particular — carrying a disproportionately high carbon footprint compared with standard fares.
Wow, Womble actually treats staff to business class flights? That’s a surprise. I didn’t know Ryanair offers business class.
Flights are not a big deal in terms of carbon emissions. The data are distorted if one allocates the carbon output to an individual’s footprint rather than emissions output generally. Flight emissions will drop as technology moves forward too. The demonisation of air travel is inane and those pontificating about flying less are the worst sort of perfomative PR bots.
Any figures to back this up? A cross-Atlantic business class flight creates massive emissions. What is emissions output generally if not the sum of our individual footprints? Consumption drives offer.
Pardon my ignorance, what is an emission thank you
who pays this, anyone know?
Business Class flights are bad for the environment, you know!
Just like dropping litter on Wimbledon Common!
I would be interested to see a comparison of how many oysters are saved through this campaign vs how many oysters are consumed by WBD colleagues in the same period
As a former senior in house lawyer, I did a great deal of regular international travel while working for global organisations which forced most employees to travel, even long haul, in economy.
I’d arrive jet lagged and was expected immediately to start work, handle EU, then go to meetings in the country and then out to business dinner. No quarter given.
As to travelling on trains?. Don’t make me laugh- manoeuvring luggage, laptops etc while finding the right platform.
The optics might appear good but it was a nightmare.
People got ill- stress, high BP, DVTs, you name it.
I spent more on Physiotherapy from sitting in cramped seats than they saved. Then I quit.
What absolute bollocks