The Court of Arbitration at the Bulgarian Industrial Association became part of the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations (CGA) aimed at minimizing the impact on the environment of the harmful emissions from the arbitration activity.
CGA is a global initiative founded by international arbitrator Lucy Greenwood in 2019 to reduce the environmental impact of international arbitrations through behavior change. CGA seeks to raise awareness of the significant carbon footprint of the arbitration community and promote best practice in managing arbitrations in a sustainable manner.
As a partner of the campaign, the BIA's Court of Arbitration will strive to adhere to five key principles to ensure that the carbon footprint and environmental impact of its arbitration practice is minimized.
The five principles are:
- Creating a workspace with a reduced environmental footprint by looking for opportunities to reduce energy consumption and waste;
- Corresponding electronically, unless hard copy correspondence is expressly needed in the circumstances, while also being mindful that email has a carbon footprint;
- Encouraging the use of videoconferencing facilities as an alternative to travel (including for the purposes of conducting fact finding or interviews with witnesses);
- Avoiding printing, requesting the use of electronic rather than hard copies of documents and promoting the use of electronic bundles at hearings;
- Using, where possible, suppliers and service providers who are committed to reducing their environmental footprint (including for the purposes of arranging an arbitration hearing).
The campaign is supported by arbitral institutions, law firms, corporations, educational establishments, hearing venues and think tanks from all over the world.
"It is a recognition and honor for us to be part of this prestigious international club of environmentally responsible companies and institutions," said the Chairwoman of the Court of Arbitration at BIA Prof. Tanya Yosifova.
