Under a new incentive offered to its legal professionals and broader staff members, Clyde & Co has introduced an incentive – in collaboration with Origin 360 – to access an all-inclusive electric vehicle (EV) subscription plan as part of one’s salary package.

In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, the firm’s Australian managing partner, Rebecca Kelly (pictured), said: “The subscription via the Origin 360 EV subscription salary packaging program offers exclusive use of an EV with no long-term commitment, joining fees or extra on-road costs such as servicing or insurance, which means our staff can manage their carbon footprint while enjoying financial benefits.”

As a global law firm, she posited, “we are committed to operating in a sustainable way, and as part of our commitment, we provide innovative incentives to our staff to empower them to manage their environmental footprint”.

“We all know that transport is one of the key sources of emissions, and so we offer all our staff the opportunity to sign up for an all-inclusive electric vehicle (EV) subscription plan as part of their salary package,” she said.

Kelly was appointed to her role as Australian head late last year.

Clyde & Co is the latest BigLaw firm Down Under to offer such an incentive – as reported last year, K&L Gates also offers support for staff members wanting to drive electric vehicles.

Elsewhere, some of Australia’s biggest firms are exploring the provision of home loan support for staff through access to better home loan options, a special cashback at loan settlement, and ongoing finance check-ins.

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Looking ahead, Kelly continued, Clyde & Co is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

“In the near term, Clyde & Co has committed, through the Science-based Targets initiative (SBTi), to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 80 per cent by 2030 from a 2019 base year,” she said.

“Clyde & Co has also committed to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 50 per cent within the same time frame.”

The news follows the firm’s naming of a new managing partner for its Perth operations in August, its promotion of 20 professionals (including five to partner) in late June, and the appointment of an additional three new partners and five new special counsel in April.