Property business owns more than 1m sq ft of commercial space across seven Liverpool sites and it has signed up to the Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment. Tony McDonough reports
Bruntwood ones more than 1m sq ft of commercial space in Liverpool and is now claiming to be the first UK developer to commit net zero carbon emissions.
The Manchester business, which owns seven sites in Liverpool including the Plaza and the Cotton Exchange, has signed up to the Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment.
The council has launched a programme of work that will see construction and property businesses work together to lead the transition to a net zero carbon built environment with the aim for new buildings to be net zero carbon emitting by 2030 and old buildings the same by 2050.
The news comes just a week after the IPCC report on the dramatic consequences of global warming beyond 1.5ºC made headlines around the world. The report set out the urgent need for all sectors of the global economy to decarbonise at speed and at scale.
Bev Taylor, director of energy at Bruntwood, said: “Although sustainability has always been a huge part of our approach, this pledge represents a step change in our efforts to reduce our environmental impact and we hope to inspire, encourage and support others to do the same.
“In addition to today’s commitment, we will also become an accredited Gold Standard Low Carbon Company and achieve the ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard.”
The announcement follows news earlier this month the company agreed a joint venture deal –the largest investment made in science and technology property assets in Europe this year –with institutional investor Legal & General.
The joint venture Bruntwood SciTech, has the largest agglomeration of science and technology assets in the UK, with a plan to grow from 1.3m sq ft to 6.2m sq ft over the next 10 years, while increasing the value of the portfolio to £1.8bn.
Bruntwood SciTech’s portfolio is already home to more than 500 science and technology businesses ranging from digital start-ups to global life sciences companies.