ENVIRONMENT

We measure, monitor  and manage energy consumption in all our commercial buildings and on all new developments. We identify ways to reduce carbon emissions and look for zero carbon solutions wherever possible. We understand the increasingly complex government legislation concerning property and development of property. We  carry out Energy Performance Certificates and Display Energy Certificates on all our properties and consider where appropriate  retro-fitting  existing properties so they are more energy efficient, cheaper to occupy and produce less Carbon emissions.

Government statistics show that 50% of the carbon emissions from the UK come from property.  This is about 30% from residential property and 20% from non-domestic buildings. Non-domestic buildings include offices, shops, industrials, hotels, schools and hospitals. The government is committed by 2050 to reduce the carbon emissions from these buildings by 80% of the levels in 1990. We are aware of these goals and are working towards them with our existing portfolio.

For new development  energy efficiency issues are dealt with by proposed new legislation under part L of the Building Regulations 2010 (which will be even more detailed than the current 2006 part L regulations) and under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) These measures will ensure that by 2018 new public buildings will be near to zero carbon and all new buildings will be zero carbon by 2020. We are also aware of these targets and intend for all our new buildings to be BREEAM ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

We carry out display energy certificates (DEC’s) on all our buildings This is a certificate that at present is required for only government properties. It measure the actual usage of the building and is an Operational Rating that compares the gas and electricity bills with a benchmark building of a similar use and style and rates it from A-G . We measure the regulated carbon emissions as defined by the government.  These include the fabric of the building and the fixed services including fixed systems for internal lights, heating, hot water service, air conditioning and mechanical ventilations.

Our unregulated carbon emissions are dealt with by an internal committee that considers our suppliers, IT equipment, paper policy etc.

We take our environmental responsibilities seriously.