Climate Change

In 2006 climate change moved up the agenda in the United Kingdom and therefore as an area of risk and opportunity for our business.

British Land’s main contribution to climate change is likely to be emissions from use of resources, such as electricity, gas and vehicle fuel, at our properties and development sites. Resource use forms a significant part of the British Land Sustainability Brief for Developments which has been applied to all our developments since 2004. It is also included in our Sustainability Guide for Property Acquisitions which was launched in 2006. View these documents. We continue our efforts to reduce emissions through:

  • Increased energy efficiency
  • Procurement of cleaner power technologies
  • Sustainable travel planning
  • Considered materials’ specification.

Increased energy efficiency

The first stage of improving energy efficiency is understanding energy use. Since 2001 we have been monitoring energy usage for the common (landlord-controlled) areas of our multi-let properties, where we have direct control of usage and can make improvements.

For a number of years we have been working towards reducing our carbon footprint. Since 2004 we have been working with the Carbon Trust to improve understanding of our energy usage and to set energy performance benchmarks. We use these benchmarks to assess performance and identify areas where energy use can be reduced.

Examples of the effectiveness of our approach to energy efficiency include:

  • At our properties: between 2004 and 2005, Meadowhall Shopping Centre reduced consumption of electricity by over 11% and of gas by 35%. This reduction of 2,081,271 KWh equates to a 745 tonne reduction in overall carbon dioxide emissions; it also saved the Centre £80,944.
  • On our developments: technology to optimise energy efficiency in heating and cooling was included in the design of 201 Bishopsgate and Broadgate Tower. As a result carbon dioxide emissions are estimated to be 29% better than current standards (as defined in the Building Regulations Part L2: 2006).

Procurement of cleaner power technologies
At a number of our properties we are reviewing the feasibility of installing sources of renewable power such as wind turbines and solar panels. These properties include Broadgate in London, Denton Shopping Park near Chester, Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield and Teesside Shopping Park in Stockton-on-Tees. Since 2005 100% of electricity supplied to the common areas at Meadowhall, Eastgate and Peacocks Shopping Centres, as well as the multi-let properties we manage at Broadgate, has come from renewable sources.

Sustainable travel planning
Our Travel Plans reduce emissions by supporting sustainable transport and reducing single-occupancy car travel. We have Travel Plans for many of our properties including Regent’s Place in London, Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield and Blythe Valley Park in Solihull. Sustainable travel planning is part of our development process. Initiatives at our properties include:

  • Travel forums, for instance at Glasgow Fort Shopping Park in Strathclyde
  • Travel information available online, for instance at Broadgate in London
  • Free travel booklets and CD Roms, for instance at Regent’s Place in London
  • Cycle spaces and cycleways, for instance at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon
  • Pedestrian signage and ‘step-free’ footways, for instance at Blythe Valley Park in Solihull.

Materials’ specification
The British Land Sustainability Brief for Developments includes guidance to consider and minimise the global warming and ozone depletion potential of materials. Recommendations include reducing the volume of materials used, using recycled materials and selecting low maintenance, durable materials. The Brief also requires all timber on our developments to come from sustainably managed or recycled sources.

Adapting to the potential impacts of climate change
We also have a range of plans and initiatives to help adapt to the potential impacts of climate change on our property portfolio. These include:

  • A Water Management Programme to manage changes in water availability and flooding risks.
  • Resource use initiatives to cope with the expected longer term decrease in availability of non-renewable energy sources.
  • British Land Sustainability Briefs and Guides to manage sustainability issues and adapt to the potential impacts of climate change, for instance on water supply, energy sources and biodiversity.

Download our corporate responsibility documents at www.britishland.com/downloads.htm.