Climate change affects society as a whole. It impacts all of our clients, regardless of industry or company size. Our most important contribution to sustainability is made through the legal advice we provide, which is why we were early to establish a multidisciplinary sustainability group bringing together lawyers from a wide range of practice areas. The group works closely across disciplines to deliver integrated advice to businesses facing increasingly stringent requirements relating to responsibility, reporting and the green transition.
Sustainability
Sustainability is about taking responsibility – both for how we conduct our business and for how we contribute to more sustainable development through the advice we provide to clients. As legal advisers, we help businesses make sound and forward-looking decisions. At the same time, we work systematically to reduce our own environmental footprint and to integrate sustainability across all parts of the firm.
A multidisciplinary practice
Climate change affects all clients, regardless of industry or company size. Sverre Tyrhaug
Managing Partner
Sustainability Database
Sustainability regulation is evolving rapidly – both in Norway and internationally. Our Sustainability Database provides an up-to-date overview of regulations, initiatives and industry standards affecting different sectors. The service helps you navigate complex requirements and understand how regulatory developments may impact your business.
How we take responsibility
As a firm, we seek to contribute to sustainable development both through the advice we provide and through the way we operate our own business. We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and have identified four goals where we believe we can make the greatest impact: #5 Gender equality, #8 Decent work and economic growth, #13 Climate action and #17 Partnerships for the goals.
Through ThommessenZero, our internal green committee, we implement measures aimed at reducing our own climate footprint. The committee brings together lawyers and business support professionals and runs projects, campaigns and internal initiatives designed to encourage more climate-conscious behaviour in everyday operations – covering areas such as transport, energy use, procurement and food waste.
Since 2020, we have prepared an annual greenhouse gas inventory in accordance with the GHG Protocol. In 2024, we expanded our reporting and carried out a more comprehensive assessment of indirect emissions (Scope 3). This has provided a more complete picture of our climate footprint and a solid basis for setting science-based climate targets (SBTi). Our greenhouse gas inventory is prepared in line with the Klimakost model, which combines life cycle assessment and environmentally extended input–output analysis, ensuring a robust and reliable decision-making basis for further emissions reductions.
As a member of the UN Global Compact, we support its principles on human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption, and report annually on our progress.
Since 2022, our offices in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger have been certified as Eco-Lighthouses (Miljøfyrtårn). The Eco-Lighthouse certification is Norway’s most widely used scheme for organisations that want to document their environmental efforts and demonstrate corporate social responsibility. Do you have suggestions for how the climate and environmental impact of our services can be improved? We would be happy to hear from you by email.
Social sustainability, governance and responsible business practices
Thommessen’s sustainability work encompasses both how the firm is operated and how responsibility, quality and risk are managed over time. Social sustainability, sound corporate governance and environmental considerations are addressed in an integrated manner and followed up through clear structures, defined objectives and ongoing measures.
Diversity, equality and inclusion are integral to this approach. The work is based on equal opportunities for all and on fostering a working environment where different perspectives and experiences contribute to the quality of our advice and to robust decision-making processes.
Over time, targeted measures have been implemented to strengthen diversity and inclusion across the organisation. A dedicated diversity and inclusion committee monitors and advances this work throughout the year, including through professional events, seminars and awareness-raising initiatives. Collaboration with external partners such as Oslo Pride and Big Enough Global supports competence-building and reflection.
Leadership and mental health have received particular attention over the past year. In cooperation with The Human Aspect, all partners and line managers have completed leadership development programmes focusing on responsibility, understanding and practical tools for building inclusive and resilient working environments.
Our work on social sustainability and responsible governance is guided by clear objectives and anchored at leadership level. Anne Bogen
Head of HR
Transparency and accountability
We set high standards for ethical business conduct, both internally and in our relationships with business partners. To ensure transparency and compliance, Thommessen carries out risk-based due diligence assessments in accordance with the Norwegian Transparency Act and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. We continuously assess the risk of adverse impacts on human rights and decent working conditions within our own operations and across our supply chain.
Our Code of Ethics sets clear standards for how we act towards clients, colleagues and business partners. An internal ethics committee provides guidance on matters relating to ethics, anti-corruption and compliance, and serves as a sounding board when ethical dilemmas arise.
Transparency Compass
The Norwegian Transparency Act sets out clear requirements for due diligence assessments and reporting. The Transparency Compass allows you to easily determine whether your business is subject to the Act and provides guidance on how to comply with the requirements in practice.
