Our state-of-the-art office at 100 Bishopsgate in central London has been carefully planned to minimise our environmental impact and support wellbeing.

The decommissioning of our previous Fleet Street office was carefully considered. We ensured zero landfill waste for furniture and IT equipment: staff were offered chairs and screens for home use, and Freshfields partnered with Business 2 Schools, a charity that improves infrastructure in UK schools to create a more aspirational environment. Business 2 Schools distributed furniture and other items to 50 schools throughout the country, helping us have a positive community impact.

Our efforts to manage our environmental impact continue at 100 Bishopsgate. The building runs on a renewable electricity tariff and has efficient installations throughout (such as LED lighting). The construction earned a BREEAM ‘excellent’ sustainability rating, while the fit-out with only recyclable or recycled items won a SKA Gold rating, unlocking a 30 per cent reduction in carbon use. Our building management system, which monitors air quality, energy and waste, is ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certified (like our previous Fleet Street office).

Office waste is processed with centralised recycling that encourages the segregation of food waste, dry mixed recyclables, general waste and confidential material. The implementation of Secure Print throughout the office has resulted in a significant decrease in printing, supporting our global target on paper reduction as well as improving data security.

Sustainability is a main consideration in our on-site catering: Freshfields remains committed to phasing out single-use plastics in catering, hospitality and refreshment areas, so crockery, glasses and metal cutlery are used in all refreshment points, with continued focus on swapping out items wrapped in plastics. Our on-site restaurant has a silver rating under the green kitchen standard.

100 Bishopsgate is in the heart of the City of London, so offers multiple options to support commuting via public transport. Showers, lockers and bike storage encourage those who choose to try and minimise their personal environmental impact by cycling, walking or running to work.

‘Freshfields’ move to 100 Bishopsgate is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine how we work,’ says Mark Higgs, Freshfields Chief Operating Officer. ‘We have carefully planned the space to facilitate agile and remote-working arrangements, as well as support wellbeing and minimise environmental impact.’