Lux Nova - a member of the 1% for the Planet® network
Lux Nova has been going since 2015. And just like on the very first day, our passion is to drive positive change, every day. It’s what gets us up in the morning.
We are fortunate that we can have an impact through our “day job”, consistently delivering legal solutions for clean energy and biodiversity projects. It’s all we do, it’s what we’re good at, and we are proud to be recognised for it in the market.
However, the 2023 IPCC Report makes for hard reading and our planet now needs more support than ever. This is why, in 2023 we decided to take an extra step in the fight against climate change, which is, after all, the reason that the clean energy market exists.
Following the amazing example of Patagonia (read about them here) and thousands of other businesses and individuals, we joined the 1% for the Planet® network in October 2023.
It’s very simple: as a member of 1% for the Planet, we commit to give at least 1% of our global sales - not of the lower profits figure - to environmental organisations. 1% for the Planet then audit our accounts to make sure we have done so. Visit their website to find out more.
For businesses of any size, 1% of sales is a real and substantial commitment. It is also approximately aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 17.2). For us, it means committing to systemic, embedded corporate impact that is linked directly to the performance of our business, thereby enabling lasting and genuine change.
As a corporate citizen, we are conscious of our “stewardship” role: whether for our clients, employees, communities, families or indeed the finite Planet Earth that supplies the resources we all need. We see 1% for the Planet as “stakeholder investment” in action, investing in the very foundation of all prosperity.
In fact, we are proud to say that in our financial year ended 2023 we donated almost three times our commitment – almost 3% of our global sales. In the financial year ended 2024 we improved on this, donating almost 3.5% of our global sales amount.
This only counts the purely financial donations that Lux Nova made. It does not include any pro bono time that we have given to environmental organisations over the year, or the impact of our day-to-day work as senior clean energy lawyers, or any of the donations that our lawyers made outside of the business.
Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, said: “Currently, only 3% of total philanthropy goes to the environment, and only 5% of that comes from businesses. The planet needs bigger support than this, and our growing network of business members are doing vital work to increase giving and support on-the-ground action. We're excited to welcome Lux Nova Partners to our global movement.”
Keep reading to see which projects and organisations we supported.
Donation recipients for the financial year ended 2024
Our recipients can be grouped into three thematic areas:
- Education
- Information
- Legislation and Litigation
Over the past 6 months, we have spoken to the senior leadership of all the recipients listed below, and have been really impressed with the good work that they are doing. We will keep them under review. Please contact us if you would like to suggest other organisations that you feel passionate about!
EDUCATION
The fight against climate change relies on educating and motivating the next generation.
Energy Sparks
Energy Sparks is an online energy analysis tool and energy education programme. It is specifically designed to help schools reduce their electricity and gas usage through the analysis of smart meter data. It is currently working with over 780 schools in the UK.
Energy Sparks provides adult and pupil dashboards tailored to meet the specific needs of the students and staff at a school. Using a school’s electricity, gas and solar data, Energy Sparks shows pupils, staff and the wider school community how much energy the school is using, and at what times of the day.
The online tool presents bespoke analysis of the energy data with suggestions of actions the school community could take to save energy and reduce the school’s carbon emissions.
We love the combination of education and practical action and are proud to have supported the subscription of 12 schools in England this year.
Ashden Climate Solutions
Ashden runs “Let’s Go Zero”, a national campaign for all UK schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030. By signing up, schools can get free guidance and support – and add their voice to a growing call for national action.
INFORMATION
The fight against climate change is also a fight against misinformation about climate-related issues.
This is why we value the important work done by Carbon Brief, providing fact-based, non-partisan reporting that is used as a reliable source by the mainstream media, politicians and investors.
And we are not alone in this, as the following accolades show (screenshot taken from Carbon Brief’s website):
Have a look at their website, which offers insightful articles, interactive graphs and myth-busting fact-checks.
LEGISLATION / LITIGATION / ENFORCEMENT
While it would be great if our day-to-day work as clean energy lawyers, and support for schools and journalism, could end man-made climate change, the reality is that the needle is still turning too slowly (see the 2023 IPCC Report) and not everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Some governments and organisations are not respecting the laws that are already on the statute books. And not all laws are fit for purpose.
This is why we believe in supporting those excellent lawyers and other professionals who are working on creating better laws, and on actually enforcing them when no-one else will.
We supported three organisations in this category:
ClientEarth
Client Earth is one of the world's most ambitious environmental organisations. They work in partnership across borders, systems and sectors, using the law to protect life on earth.
They use the power of the law to change the system – informing, implementing and enforcing the law, advising decision-makers on policy and training legal and judicial professionals.
Our contribution has gone into a match-funding pot, in order to leverage public donations, during a recent fundraising initiative.
You may find the following videos of interest:
Short introductory video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2z_vj_PkYY
TED talk on Client Earth’s work in China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QRIKCebSI
Stop Ecocide International
Stop Ecocide is the driving force behind the growing global movement to make ecocide an international crime.
Their core work is activating and developing global cross-sector support for this. They collaborate with diplomats, politicians, lawyers, corporate leaders, NGOs, indigenous and faith groups, influencers, academic experts, grassroots campaigns and individuals to this end.
Have a look at their website to read some highly encouraging success stories about the progress of this campaign, which is gaining traction around the world, including in the UK, Scotland, Brazil, Mexico, the European Parliament and many others.
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) UK
The EIA investigates and exposes transnational crime, with a focus on wildlife, forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation, plastic pollution and illicit trade. Their findings are reported to campaign for improved governance and more effective enforcement.
A big “thank you” to our loyal clients, colleagues, families and friends for a successful 2024 – here’s to even more impact in 2025!
