Womble Bond Dickinson strengthens foundations for responsible business and credible climate action

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has set out a clear, evidence‑based route forward on responsible business, underpinned by independent accreditations, enhanced data transparency and the submission of Science Based Targets for validation.

The firm’s 2025/26 Responsible Business Report marks a shift from ambition to execution, with a focus on strengthening governance, improving data quality and moving from an environmental pledge to a plan grounded in climate science.

Building credibility through independent standards

During FY 2025/26, WBD became a signatory to the UN Global Compact, committing to align its strategy, policies and culture with the UN’s ten principles on human rights, labour, the environment and anti‑corruption, and to report annually on progress against the Sustainable Development Goals.

The firm also:

• Achieved EcoVadis Gold, placing it in the top 3% of nearly 89,000 organisations globally for sustainability performance
• Secured ISO 45001 certification for the first time, recognising its approach to occupational health, safety and wellbeing
• Achieved Great Place to Work certification for the first time, with over 70% positive feedback and strong engagement levels.

Sally Dallow, Partner Lead for Responsible Business at Womble Bond Dickinson, said: 

“This year represented a shift from intention to execution in our responsible business journey. By strengthening our governance, aligning with globally recognised frameworks and moving our climate commitments from a pledge to a plan grounded in science, we are building a more transparent and accountable approach to sustainability. That focus is essential if we are to make a meaningful contribution to the communities, clients and wider society we serve.”

Clearer data, clearer route to net zero

FY 2025/26 represented a step change in how the firm measures, reports and governs its environmental impact.

Following extensive work by its Net Zero Working Group, supported by improved carbon accounting and external expertise, WBD submitted Science Based Targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation in May 2026. The proposed targets include:

• A 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by FY 2030/31
• Alongside a long‑term net zero target for FY 2044/45.

The firm has implemented a carbon accounting platform and is working closely with its Climate Strategy Adviser at Normative to ensure emissions data backdated to FY 2019/20 is fully captured and reported in line with SBTi requirements and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Reflecting on the year, Mat Swift, Senior Environment, Health & Safety Manager, said: 

“FY 2025/26 was a turning point in how we understand and manage our environmental impact. The focus was on getting the data right — embedding robust carbon accounting processes, strengthening governance and ensuring our targets are grounded in climate science. Submitting our Science Based Targets is an important milestone, but the real work now is using that insight to drive practical, measurable emissions reductions across the business.”

People, wellbeing and social value

Alongside environmental progress, the firm continued to invest in its people and communities.

In FY 2025/26:

• 85% of colleagues took a wellbeing day
• 'Responsible Business Hours' were introduced, delivering more than 10,000 hours across the business in its first year
• The firm generated £3m of social value, recording growth in 11 areas and against 9 new metrics.

Looking ahead

The 2025/26 Responsible Business Report reflects a move from commitment to delivery — strengthening governance, improving data quality and aligning the firm's responsible business strategy with credible, externally recognised standards.

With its Science Based Targets now under validation and a clearer roadmap in place, Womble Bond Dickinson is focused on building practical action plans and working collaboratively with colleagues, suppliers and partners to drive meaningful, long‑term impact. Priority projects for the year ahead are:

• The launch of a firmwide mentoring scheme
• Rolling out a firmwide climate literacy programme, and
• Supporting access to justice through a material growth in pro bono hours.

Read the full Responsible Business Report 2025/26 here.