1. Framework

UNIT LEGAL – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL (Unit LEGAL) is committed to acting ethically, responsibly and sustainably, guided by the principles of freedom, justice and environmental protection. This Social, Environmental and Corporate Governance (ESG) policy reflects our integrated vision of human, economic and environmental development, supported by universal values ​​such as the defense of fundamental rights, the affirmation of freedom, inclusion and cooperation.

In our organization, we understand that value creation is only relevant when it is shared, fits in with the values ​​we pursue and respects the limits of the environment. Therefore, we promote active citizenship, diversity, transparency and equity in all our actions, processes and relationships.

We are therefore committed to integrating these principles into all areas of our activity, adopting practices that contribute to ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental preservation and social responsibility.

Unit LEGAL recognizes the importance of adopting practices that minimize environmental impact in the pursuit of its activity and that contribute to a more sustainable future. As such, Unit LEGAL has implemented a Sustainability Policy with the intention of promoting ethical and responsible action measures in all its operations and daily activities, focusing on the pursuit of a sustainable development model with a set of guidelines that demonstrate the commitment to incorporating the latest environmental practices into its development strategy and operations, promoting environmental awareness and commitment among its employees, but also in its relationship with customers, service providers and suppliers.

This policy is not a conclusion, but an ongoing commitment to the positive transformation of society and the world for which we develop our activity.

 

2. Appointments

Unit LEGAL’s Sustainability Policy defines the way in which society works and acts, continually pursuing Sustainability. This policy essentially presents three distinct levels regarding the purpose of contributing to Sustainability:

• Respect for the Environment: Unit LEGAL is committed to adopting practices that preserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of its operations with concrete measures – such as the choice of materials, work equipment and the way it uses them in its activity, promoting the responsible use of resources.
• Social Responsibility: Through collaboration with social solidarity institutions, contributing to the promotion of the activity developed by these institutions, but also in actions to provide pro bono services.

On the other hand, Unit LEGAL has adopted measures to promote the well-being of all employees by creating a positive and inclusive workspace, as well as measures regarding the way in which the activity is carried out, which allow for a healthy balance between work and family.

• Professional Ethics: Seeking to ensure that all Unit LEGAL activities are carried out in accordance with ethical standards, not only in full compliance with the Code of Ethics of the Portuguese Bar Association, but also in defense of transparency, equity and justice.

These are the main objectives of Unit LEGAL:

• Adopt programs to assess and potentially reduce energy costs and pollutant emissions;
• Promote the efficient management of natural resources;
• Optimize the way electricity is used in the office and reduce consumption;
• Encourage good practices in recycling and reusing materials;
• Implement sustainability practices into daily office operations;
• Promote inclusion and diversity within the team, but also in the processes of hiring new employees;
• Promote inclusion and diversity within the team, but also in the processes of hiring new employees;
• Set a goal of reducing paper use, limiting its use to what is strictly necessary;
• Pay special attention when choosing electronic equipment, always opting for those that are more energy efficient.

 

3. Environmental Practices

I. Paper and Similar Resource Management: Sustainability and Operational Efficiency

Unit LEGAL has implemented specific internal rules aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling materials, especially paper, plastics and electronic equipment, by providing deposits for separating recyclable and non-recyclable waste, also promoting the reuse of certain materials, specifically through the following measures:

• Encouragement for employees to develop their work exclusively using digital media;
• Choose the option of printing on both sides of the paper;
• Implementation and development of a digital archive system, with a view to progressively eliminating paper;
• Reciclagem de todo o papel redundante em resultado da implementação do sistema de arquivo morto em suporte digital;
• Activation, as a default, of the “Waiting Queue” system for paper prints, with printing depending on its acceptance in the printer system, by entering a personal code;
• If printing is necessary for working documents, encourage the use of scrap paper;
• Implementation of a recycling system for separating waste: paper/cardboard, plastic, glass and indistinguishable waste;
• Prioritize suppliers and products that meet environmental criteria, such as sustainable products or those with recognized environmental certifications;
• Elimination of bottled water consumption and consequent elimination of plastic waste generated by this consumption;
• Provision of water to employees and customers through a filtered drinking water dispenser with temperature regulator.

 

II. Air Conditioning and Energy Efficiency: Sustainability and Resource Optimization

Unit LEGAL intends to base its daily and professional decisions on environmental practices that it considers to be the responsibility of all people and organizations, such as reducing waste and the conscious use of available climate and energy resources, and to this end it commits itself daily to complying with the following practices:

• Acquisition of equipment, particularly air conditioning, for office facilities with the best possible energy efficiency, opting for the most ecological ranges on the market;
• Organization of facilities taking into account the solar layout of the building – all office divisions have natural lighting with the exception of three offices;
• Insulation of facilities using double glazing on windows;
• Reduce, to the strictly necessary and indispensable, the consumption of paper when carrying out office tasks;
• Prefer and maximize the use of natural light in office lighting;
• Prefer and enhance natural ventilation over air conditioning units;
• Eliminate unnecessary use of electrical energy, namely lighting and air conditioning, during absence or breaks;
• Prefer to use public transport or collective transport whenever work journeys require it.

For over 20 years, Unit LEGAL has been strengthening its environmental practices, gradually introducing the principles and measures set out above. However, it recognises the need to constantly improve and adapt, basing its vision for the future on the increasingly effective treatment of the issues it considers to be key, such as:

• Energy efficiency improvement;
• Waste reduction;
• Improvement of the recycling system. Unit LEGAL’s sustainability policy is disseminated among its employees, ensuring that everyone understands their responsibilities and the importance of their actions in achieving the established objectives.

 

4. Legal Basis

The Unit LEGAL Sustainability Policy is based on the legislation currently in force, based on the following diplomas:

• Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. 47/2021, of February 3;
• Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 11-C/2015, of March 16, on the National Plan for Waste Management;
• Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 53/2020, of July 10, to the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (PNEC 2030);
• Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 113/2005, of June 30, to the National Program for the Efficient Use of Water;
• Council of Ministers Resolution No. 100/2017, of July 11, to the National Strategy for Environmental Education (ENEA).

 

5. Commitment to the Future

Unit LEGAL is committed to following a sustainable path, always seeking to adapt to the new needs of the market and society, so that its actions reflect its commitment to the environment, social justice and professional ethics.

Sustainability is an intrinsic value of Unit LEGAL. By implementing this policy, we seek not only to reduce our environmental impact, but also to contribute to a more just, equitable and conscious world. All of our employees are partners in this commitment, and together we will work towards a more sustainable and responsible activity.

 

Preserving the environment and ensuring the conservation of natural resources is not only a duty of Unit LEGAL towards the environment, but also a commitment made to the entire community in which society is inserted. Therefore, Unit LEGAL is committed to evaluating its sustainable actions and practices, ensuring transparency in results and carrying out periodic analyses of its progress.

Therefore, this Sustainability Policy will be reviewed and updated periodically, with the aim of improving the environmental, social and economic performance of Unit LEGAL.