Our London office
Our head office building, One Bishops Square, has amazing facilities for staff and clients which include a bar, subsidised coffee bar and restaurants, two rooftop gardens, a fitness centre and a fully equipped lecture theatre and a knowledge centre.
We have also focused on our environmental responsibilities: our solar panels (one of the largest photovoltaic installations in Europe) and our three green roof terraces encourage biodiversity – and are a great space in which to relax. Allen & Overy LLP continues to reduce it's environment impact from operating One Bishops Square. In 2011, we reduced our carbon dioxide emissions by 8.5%, increased our recycling rate from 46% to over 70%, reduced our paper consumption by 10% and introduced a new waste management partnership with our tenants. In 2012 our environmental management system was re-certificated to international standard ISO 14001 for London and Belfast offices. Our best practice management of our carbon footprint was again recognised by the Carbon Trust and we were certificated against their standard for another two years and our carbon dioxide data used for EU legislation compliance was externally assured. This means that our carbon emission management is triple validated by external parties..
We operate an extensive recycling programme, providing facilities for the recycling of normal office items as well as more unusual items such as CDs, spectacles, mobile phones and postage stamps. We even have our own 'fiction library' where you can borrow and donate books.
One Bishops Square has free parking for around 300 bicycles: we also offer shower and locker facilities to encourage our partners and staff to cycle to work. Facilities are also provided for charging electric cars.
We have established a three year partnership with the charity FareShare whereby we are providing pro bono business and organisational support and assisting in the development of a FareShare consultancy capability to diversify their income stream.
There are opportunities for everyone to be involved. The Environmental Champions Group composed of lawyers, support staff and contractors, continues to be active, with numbers growing. Our champions are volunteers and have helped host a number of events and activities to encourage good practice.
