A coalition of United Kingdom law firms trying to address climate change has launched a carbon footprint tool for the industry.

The Legal Sector Alliance (LSA) developed the LSA Carbon Footprint Protocol in consultation with the Carbon Trust. The spreadsheet tool is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and measures emissions under a firm's control.

"You can't manage what you haven't measured, so calculation of your carbon footprint is absolutely crucial before you can take action to reduce it," Des Hudson, Law Society chief executive, said in April when the protocol was announced.

Eighteen LSA member firms will measure and disclose their carbon footprints, including Allen & Overy, DLA Piper and Eversheds, LegalWeek.com reported. Firms using the protocol aren't required to disclose results.

The protocol is meant to create a benchmark for the industry in which firms may use different emissions sources to calculate carbon footprints, leading to unfair comparisons.

The legal profession has grappled in recent years with lessening their environmental footprint. In the U.S., the American Bar Association and Meritas Leadership Institute created programs and guides to educate firms and help them reduce impacts.