There is no single solution to the climate challenge. But by combining emissions reduction, long‑term thinking and responsible investment in high‑quality carbon removal, we are demonstrating our commitment to building a fairer, lower‑carbon future – for our business, our clients and our people.

Published: 23 June 2026
Author: Max Finney

Our approach to climate action is simple in principle, even if it is complex in practice: reduce emissions and take responsibility for the emissions we can’t yet address. That means prioritising decarbonisation across our operations and supply chain and using carbon removals for residual emissions that cannot yet be avoided.

That’s why we’ve entered into a five‑year offtake agreement with carbon removal specialist Carbonaires, securing a long‑term supply of durable carbon removals to help maintain our zero net operational emissions].

As a result of a reduction of over 70% in the firm’s operational footprint (scope 1 and market-based scope 2), combined with the carbon removals, the net emissions of the firm are zero. The firm has not yet reduced emissions by at least 90%, and therefore does not claim to be Net Zero, however we are taking responsibility for our emissions today, whilst we continue to reduce our remaining footprint in line with our science-based targets. Further Details can be found in our Responsible Business Report.

Why carbon removal, not just offsetting?

As expectations around corporate climate claims grow, so does scrutiny of the quality, permanence and credibility of carbon mitigation.

Carbon removal plays a different role to traditional offsetting. Rather than avoiding emissions that may or may not have occurred elsewhere, removals physically take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it for the long term. In our case, the agreement with Carbonaires provides biochar‑based removals that lock carbon away for over 1,000 years.

Durability matters. Without it, carbon stored today risks being released back into the atmosphere within a few decades. High‑integrity removal with long‑term storage is critical if carbon markets are to meaningfully support global climate goals alongside rapid emissions reduction.

Taking a long‑term, strategic approach

This agreement is a forward offtake, meaning we have pre‑purchased future removals. It secures supply, volume and price over five years at a time when demand for high‑integrity removals is accelerating and premium supply is becoming increasingly constrained.

For Shoosmiths, this is about more than managing future risk. Long‑term commitments like this help credible removal projects to scale, mature and attract investment. We are determined to think beyond short‑term compliance and take responsibility for supporting the development of trusted climate solutions.

Transparency and traceability built in

Trust in carbon markets depends on data, governance and transparency. The removals secured through this agreement are monitored using real‑time tracking and digital twin technology and retired with full end‑to‑end traceability from issuance through to retirement.

This gives us confidence in what we are buying and how it is delivered, and supports growing expectations from clients, regulators and stakeholders for robust evidence behind climate claims.

Climate action with social impact

The biochar removals are sourced from HUSK, a women‑led producer operating in Cambodia and Vietnam. Agricultural residues such as rice husks are converted into stable biochar, locking away carbon for the long term while delivering wider social and environmental benefits.

Using biochar improves soil health, supports stronger crop yields and helps enhance livelihoods for smallholder farming communities. This reflects our belief that effective climate action should create positive outcomes for people as a core principle, rather than treating environmental and social impact as separate agendas.

Reduction first, always

Carbon removal plays an important role in our climate strategy, but it does not replace the need to cut emissions at source. Our priority remains reducing our operational footprint wherever possible, with removals used only for emissions that cannot yet be eliminated.

As Max Finney, Senior Sustainability Manager at Shoosmiths, explains:

“Our vision is to be a low carbon law firm, enabling a sustainable future for our clients, our communities, and our people. This milestone demonstrates it is possible for companies of all size to engage in carbon markets and make an impact, it compliments our commitment to reducing emissions at source by investing in the development of the market for removals that meet our high standards for integrity, transparency, and long-term impact".