The business case for CR
Sustainability is in our economic interests now and in the future.
As a long term business, we need to ensure that our buildings stand the test of time, meeting existing and future regulatory requirements and our occupiers’ changing occupational needs. Managing the sustainability of our business helps us to achieve this by integrating and balancing economic, environmental and social criteria. For us it is about reducing our use of resources, appealing to our customers, being welcomed by our communities, managing and supporting our people and suppliers, and valuing our brand and reputation. To realise this we launched Building Together in 2008, our new approach to corporate responsibility.
Regulatory requirements on sustainability are likely to become more stringent, as local authorities, regional and national government and the European Union set and try to meet carbon reduction targets. In London, the Mayor’s Energy Strategy aims for an overall carbon reduction of 60% by 2025. Nationally, the UK Government has agreed to carbon reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol and its own Carbon Reduction Commitment as well as the Climate Change Bill, which aims to cut carbon emissions by at least 60% by 2050. In 2007 British Land committed to becoming carbon neutral in 2008/2009, stepping up our efforts to monitor, manage and reduce energy use and increasing our use of renewable energy.
Not surprisingly our Occupier Survey 2007 showed that sustainability has moved up the agenda for our occupiers. UK business is recognising the economic, environmental and social importance of responsible business. Buildings that use resources such as energy responsibly tend to have lower running costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Improvements to public transport access can enhance employee retention rates and punctuality, as well as increasing footfall and spend in retail locations. In 2008 we are working more closely with occupiers at Broadgate, Regent’s Place and our retail properties to improve environmental performance.
Through Building Together, our corporate responsibility strategy, we develop and manage buildings that:
- Use energy responsibly, reducing costs and associated carbon emissions
- Provide renewable energy sources, decreasing reliance on the National Grid and lowering emissions
- Minimise water use, cutting charges and the potential impact of climate change
- Manage waste sensibly, reducing waste to landfill, increasing recycling and cutting emissions
- Are accessible by public transport and bicycle, offering easier access and reducing carbon emissions.
At our properties
Reducing energy and water use, and managing waste responsibly, reduces carbon emissions, generates financial savings and increases the attractiveness of our buildings to occupiers.
Building relationships with customers enables us to meet their changing business needs more successfully, manage our broader environmental impacts more effectively and improve our long-term financial performance.
Listening to local people and backing local initiatives builds relationships, helps us to develop and manage properties that meet local needs, and enhances our reputation.
Useful links
Your feedback
We welcome your views on our CR Report and initiatives