2006 Big Tick

Highly Commended in 2006

Big Tick Winner

Environmental Impact, Highly Commended

Land Securities - Building sustainability

EDF Energy Environmental Impact Award 2006 in association with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

More people are recognising the effectiveness of our environmental policies and practices. We believe this is fostering greater dialogue with our clients, which in turn should lead to better, more efficient buildings in the future

Dave FarebrotherAssistant Director, Environmental Services, Land Securities

In 2002, a dedicated Environmental Services team was established to cover all group activities from impact assessment to employee training to reporting. Its objectives are to reduce costs by improving efficiencies, differentiate Land Securities from competitors, reduce the impact of its activities, make the business more sustainable and demonstrate good corporate citizenship.

Processes

Land Securities is the UK’s largest property company and the market leader in London offices, UK retail and Outsourced Property Services (through LSTrillium).  

Land Securities' approach is to include environmental responsibilities in the roles of appropriate staff throughout the company so that duties and actions are integrated into standard business practice.

A number of initiatives – including new staff induction, ongoing training and information campaigns – help support a culture of continual environmental improvement.

In 2001, Land Securities became the first commercial property company to produce a stand-alone environmental report (now part of a wider corporate responsibility report) including full quantified disclosure of significant environmental impacts.

In 2005, the company held events at each of its managed shopping centres to help promote environmental awareness to the general public, as well as a corporate environmental conference for clients, service partners and staff.

Land Securities' public commitments to impact assessment, auditing and working to a certified environmental management system provide added assurance to potential clients and business partners, and help in securing planning permission. The company has a comprehensive energy management programme and an internal Climate Change Working Group, and participates in the voluntary UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UKETS).

Biodiversity aspects are considered at the design stage of development projects, and procurement standards have been revised to help reduce environmental impacts in the supply chain.

Impact

  • The company's activities have resulted in significant CO2 reductions, energy cost savings and £33,000 in income from meeting UKETS target reductions.
  • The company regularly recycles more than 80% of demolition waste, resulting in considerable cost savings both in terms of eliminating landfill costs and procuring new aggregate.
  • Recycling efforts in shopping centres have more than doubled recycling rates within four years without adding to waste costs.

See also