The industries most active on environmental issues to date have been the polluters – energy companies or businesses with global impact. Traditionally, law firms have not seen themselves as contributors or solution finders to the problems posed by climate change.

Since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997, setting targets and deadlines for developed countries to cut carbon emissions, carbon trading has become big news and big business. If law firms can be considered a barometer of their clients’ activities, then their approach to climate change in the FT Innovative Lawyers report is illuminating.