Clifford Chance launches inaugural Sustainable Development Goals Award, targeting environmental causes
16 August 2021
Clifford Chance launches inaugural Sustainable Development Goals Award, targeting environmental causes
Leading international law firm Clifford Chance today launches its first ever, global Sustainable Development Goals Award with the objective of supporting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) whose work contributes to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As with the firm's previous Access to Justice and Racial Justice awards, the Sustainable Development Goals Award will see the firm donate £50,000 and 500 hours of pro bono support to the winning NGO.
Clifford Chance focuses its pro bono and community outreach efforts on working collaboratively with organisations whose focus aligns with the SDGs, to help build their capacity and scale their impact. The Award is open to NGOs around the world, and this year its focus will be on the environmental focused SDGs 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. These SDGs are, respectively, sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water and life on land.
Eligible organisations will be seeking to address any of a broad range of environmental issues, including climate change, responsible supply chains, pollution, biodiversity, water insecurity and more. Entries will be reviewed by the same criteria irrespective of the entrant's size, geographical location, or previous interaction with Clifford Chance.
Clifford Chance Senior Partner and ESG Board chair Jeroen Ouwehand said, "I believe we must use the power of the law to work towards a sustainable future. As a business, we work towards environmental sustainability in our operations, as well as through the work we do in the communities in which we operate, through our work with clients, with NGOs and via the Clifford Chance Foundation. We are committed to working with organisations to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and we look forward to announcing the winner to advance this cause."
Key application process dates:
- Application process opens on 16th August 2021 and can be accessed here.
- Application process closes on 17th September 2021
- Winner announced October 2021
The winner will be chosen by a judging panel including representatives of Clifford Chance, the firm's strategic pro bono partners, and clients.
As the first Sustainable Development Award, this endeavour follows on from the firm's previous Access to Justice Award which ran from 2010. Previous winners of the Access to Justice Award included Columbia Law School's Center for Institutional and Social Change, the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), Sierra Leone focused charity ADVOCAID, and UK-based international charity Hope and Homes for Children.
Visit Clifford Chance's pro bono and community activities for more information.