Corporate Responsibility Report 2010

Design and innovation

Before any new property is built or an existing one refurbished, we focus our expertise and experience on adhering to the highest standards of environmental sustainability, as well as creating a space that has the flexibility to meet the changing needs of customers.

Better by design

Every year, we aim to drive performance improvements by operating equipment at optimum levels and by reducing waste. But to meet ever-tougher targets, we need to work closely with our occupiers, helping them to reduce their own environmental impacts. Due to their number, our older offices present us with the best opportunity to make a difference.

Many of our occupiers don't have the environmental expertise to get the best from their building – but we do. We share our knowledge with our tenants, by:

• offering them free energy audits
• ensuring every property we manage has its own environmental management plan
• giving our retail occupiers a low-carbon fit-out guide, outlining measures that can be adopted during the shop-fitting stage that will reduce running costs and carbon emissions
• raising awareness through our shopping centre Consumer Awareness Environmental Programme
• providing a BREEAM advice and certification process, to ensure all new major developments receive a rating of at least "Very Good".

For every project and property we manage, we also develop site-specific Environmental Compliance Registers, which form the basis of an ongoing audit programme, and all our residential schemes are designed to meet the Level 3 rating of the Code for Sustainable Homes. This is a six-level accreditation system for domestic property, similar to the BREEAM system for commercial buildings. Level 3 will ensure responsibly sourced materials, good levels of insulation and daylight, and energy-efficient plant and equipment.

Raising the bar

Although we hope we set new standards for building sustainability into the fabric of our developments, it is always reassuring when they receive recognition for their environmental credentials from outside the business.

For example, Cabot Circus – developed through the Bristol Alliance, our joint venture with Hammerson – was named the Overall Green Development of the Year 2009 at the Estates Gazette Green Awards and in New Street Square, a vibrant mix of office space, shops and restaurants in the City of London, we addressed environmental considerations in the demolition and construction stages. We were also applauded by occupiers for the installation of a green wall, public art and other environment-enhancing initiatives, and our efforts were rewarded with the 2009 New City Architecture Award and a commendation in the 'Major Project of the Year' category at the 2009 Building and Construction Industry Awards.