Irwin Mitchell reports progress on climate action, inclusion and community impact in latest Responsible Business Report 

Irwin Mitchell has reduced its carbon emissions by 14%, contributed more than 6,000 volunteering hours in communities across the UK and, alongside its colleagues and the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), donated over £150,000 through its partnership with homelessness charity Crisis, as outlined in the firm's latest Responsible Business Report.

The report outlines progress during 2025/26 across the law firm's three responsible business priorities: protecting the planet, progressing inclusion and belonging, and empowering communities. It also details developments in our approach to ethical decision-making, sustainable procurement and supplier management.  

Under its environmental programme, Irwin Mitchell reduced total energy use by 21% compared with FY25 and introduced a new Sustainable Travel Policy. The firm remains focused on its ambition to halve indirect emissions by 2030 and deliver its Roadmap to Net-Zero by 2040, supported by its Net-Zero Transition Plan.  

The firm has also continued to build on its commitment to inclusion and belonging. During the year, Irwin Mitchell was named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 for the second consecutive year and expanded its reciprocal mentoring programme to support a wider range of underrepresented groups.

As part of its community ambitions, the report highlights more than £150,000 donated by Irwin Mitchell, its colleagues and the IMCF through the firm's partnership with Crisis, and 6,140 hours which our colleagues have spent undertaking skills-based volunteering and fundraising. It also sets out progress towards a target of helping to raise the aspirations of 3,500 young or socially excluded people by the end of FY29. 

The report additionally outlines a number of governance and operational developments made during the year. These include the launch of a business-wide platform designed to support procurement and supplier relationship management, as well as a refreshed Code of Ethics aligned to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's ethical behaviours framework.  

Kate Fergusson, Director of Responsible Business and Sustainability at Irwin Mitchell, said:  

"Being a responsible business means turning long-term commitments into meaningful action and measurable outcomes.

 

"This year's report demonstrates the progress we are making across the areas that matter most to our colleagues, clients, communities and the wider environment. Whether it is reducing our emissions, creating a more inclusive workplace, supporting people through our partnership with Crisis or strengthening the way we work with suppliers, we are focused on creating positive and lasting impact. 

 

"We are proud of the progress made during the year, but we also recognise there is more to do. By focusing our efforts on protecting the planet, progressing inclusion and belonging, and empowering communities, we can continue to make a difference where it matters most."  

Key highlights from the 2025/26 Responsible Business Report include:  

• Reducing carbon emissions by 14% and total energy use by 21% compared with FY25 
• Launching a new Sustainable Travel Policy and reducing CO₂ emissions from centrally booked travel by 26%, year-on-year 
• Being named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 for the second year running 
• Expanding the firm's reciprocal mentoring programme to support a wider range of underrepresented groups 
• Generating more than £150,000 to support Crisis, through colleague fundraising, donations from the IMCF and funds generated through an IT recycling scheme  
• Contributing 6,140 hours of skills-based volunteering and fundraising hours in local communities  
• Refreshing the firm's workplace adjustments process
• Introducing Smart Procurement to strengthen supplier relationship management  
• Refreshing the firm's Code of Ethics to support decision-making across the business. 

The £154,000 was raised between 1 December 2025 and 30 April 2026 and consists of £50,000 generated through our IT recycling scheme to support digital inclusion and £104,000 raised by colleagues, Irwin Mitchell and the IMCF to support Crisis’ frontline homelessness services.