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Sustainability
Sustainability
Leading the sustainable way
Bristol and the South West has long
been a leading light in the drive
towards sustainability.
There’s lots of pockets of activism taking place in the region whether it’s from forward thinking individuals who come together to form charities, from local authorities or initiatives from the corporate world.
Since the turn of the 21st century the city has been striving to reduce residential energy consumption and create a series of partnerships which not only seek to reduce carbon emissions but also look to ensure that residents are living in a healthy environment full of biodiversity, clean air and also employment opportunities to meet these ideals. The city now boasts local employment opportunities in industries such as high tech, low carbon, aerospace and advanced engineering, as well as the creative and professional services.
There are many ongoing projects across the South West, such as the long-standing Eden Project but also there is work monitoring coastal erosion and biodiversity across the region. In addition, air quality has also been an area of significant focus. Following Bath’s lead from last year, Bristol is later this year to introduce a Clean Air Zone, much like London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone charging the least efficient of private and commercial vehicles to drive in the city’s centre. Bristol was also the birthplace of the National Cycle Network and home to Sustrans, the UK’s sustainable transport charity which estimates that walking and cycling journeys in Bristol save 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, taking up to 140,000 cars off the road every day. Many regional cities and local authorities are now extolling the virtues of active travel, walking, cycling or scooting and establishing schemes such as School Streets which prioritise pedestrians and cyclists outside school gates.
As well as reducing Bristol’s domestic energy consumption: in its bid to become European Green Capital for 2015 the council stated that domestic energy use had already been reduced by 16 per cent between 2005 and 2010 and that the energy efficiency of housing has improved by 25 per cent
from 2000/1 to 2011. Now the city now made commitments to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030, and the phasing out of gas use with the development of heat networks across will become pivotal to achieve this. The existing two live networks are being expanded with a further two in construction to go live in 2024, and more development in planning.
Bristol and the South West has long been a leading light in the drive
towards sustainability.
There’s lots of pockets of activism taking place in the region whether it’s from forward thinking individuals who come together to form charities, from local authorities or initiatives from the corporate world.
Since the turn of the 21st century the city has been striving to reduce residential energy consumption and create a series of partnerships which not only seek to reduce carbon emissions but also look to ensure that residents are living in a healthy environment full of biodiversity, clean air and also employment opportunities to meet these ideals. The city now boasts local employment opportunities in industries such as high tech, low carbon, aerospace and advanced engineering, as well as the creative and professional services.
There are many ongoing projects across the South West, such as the long-standing Eden Project but also there is work monitoring coastal erosion and biodiversity across the region. In addition, air quality has also been an area of significant focus. Following Bath’s lead from last year, Bristol is later this year to introduce a Clean Air Zone, much like London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone charging the least efficient of private and commercial vehicles to drive in the city’s centre. Bristol was also the birthplace of the National Cycle Network and home to Sustrans, the UK’s sustainable transport charity which estimates that walking and cycling journeys in Bristol save 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, taking up to 140,000 cars off the road every day. Many regional cities and local authorities are now extolling the virtues of active travel, walking, cycling or scooting and establishing schemes such as School Streets which prioritise pedestrians and cyclists outside school gates.
As well as reducing Bristol’s domestic energy consumption: in its bid to become European Green Capital for 2015 the council stated that domestic energy use had already been reduced by 16 per cent between 2005 and 2010 and that the energy efficiency of housing has improved by 25 per cent from 2000/1 to 2011. Now the city now made commitments to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030, and the phasing out of gas use with the development of heat networks across will become pivotal to achieve this. The existing two live networks are being expanded with a further two in construction to go live in 2024, and more development in planning.
Bristol and the South West has long been a leading light in the drive towards sustainability.
There’s lots of pockets of activism taking place in the region whether it’s from forward thinking individuals who come together to form charities, from local authorities or initiatives from the corporate world.
Since the turn of the 21st century the city has been striving to reduce residential energy consumption and create a series of partnerships which not only seek to reduce carbon emissions but also look to ensure that residents are living in a healthy environment full of biodiversity, clean air and also employment opportunities to meet these ideals. The city now boasts local employment opportunities in industries such as high tech, low carbon, aerospace and advanced engineering, as well as the creative and professional services.
There are many ongoing projects across the South West, such as the long-standing Eden Project but also there is work monitoring coastal erosion and biodiversity across the region. In addition, air quality has also been an area of significant focus. Following Bath’s lead from last year, Bristol is later this year to introduce a Clean Air Zone, much like London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone charging the least efficient of private and commercial vehicles to drive in the city’s centre. Bristol was also the birthplace of the National Cycle Network and home to Sustrans, the UK’s sustainable transport charity which estimates that walking and cycling journeys in Bristol save 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, taking up to 140,000 cars off the road every day. Many regional cities and local authorities are now extolling the virtues of active travel, walking, cycling or scooting and establishing schemes such as School Streets which prioritise pedestrians and cyclists outside school gates.
As well as reducing Bristol’s domestic energy consumption: in its bid to become European Green Capital for 2015 the council stated that domestic energy use had already been reduced by 16 per cent between 2005 and 2010 and that the energy efficiency of housing has improved by 25 per cent from 2000/1 to 2011. Now the city now made commitments to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030, and the phasing out of gas use with the development of heat networks across will become pivotal to achieve this. The existing two live networks are being expanded with a further two in construction to go live in 2024, and more development in planning.
Bristol and the South West has long been a leading light in the drive
towards sustainability.
There’s lots of pockets of activism taking place in the region whether it’s from forward thinking individuals who come together to form charities, from local authorities or initiatives from the corporate world.
Since the turn of the 21st century the city has been striving to reduce residential energy consumption and create a series of partnerships which not only seek to reduce carbon emissions but also look to ensure that residents are living in a healthy environment full of biodiversity, clean air and also employment opportunities to meet these ideals. The city now boasts local employment opportunities in industries such as high tech, low carbon, aerospace and advanced engineering, as well as the creative and professional services.
There are many ongoing projects across the South West, such as the long-standing Eden Project but also there is work monitoring coastal erosion and biodiversity across the region. In addition, air quality has also been an area of significant focus. Following Bath’s lead from last year, Bristol is later this year to introduce a Clean Air Zone, much like London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone charging the least efficient of private and commercial vehicles to drive in the city’s centre. Bristol was also the birthplace of the National Cycle Network and home to Sustrans, the UK’s sustainable transport charity which estimates that walking and cycling journeys in Bristol save 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, taking up to 140,000 cars off the road every day. Many regional cities and local authorities are now extolling the virtues of active travel, walking, cycling or scooting and establishing schemes such as School Streets which prioritise pedestrians and cyclists outside school gates.
As well as reducing Bristol’s domestic energy consumption: in its bid to become European Green Capital for 2015 the council stated that domestic energy use had already been reduced by 16 per cent between 2005 and 2010 and that the energy efficiency of housing has improved by 25 per cent from 2000/1 to 2011. Now the city now made commitments to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030, and the phasing out of gas use with the development of heat networks across will become pivotal to achieve this. The existing two live networks are being expanded with a further two in construction to go live in 2024, and more development in planning.
The commercial property sector will have a
significant role to play to ensure that older less energy efficient buildings are brought into line, or find an
alternative use.
The commercial property sector will have a significant role to play to ensure that older less energy efficient buildings are brought into line, or find an alternative use.
Commercial real estate also
has a role to play
The commercial real estate industry is also doing its part locally across all asset types. There’s lots of new developments boasting green credentials from The Church Commissioners for England's recent completion of two sustainable developments at Exeter Logistics Park, including a distribution centre on behalf of DHL, as well as a speculative industrial unit.
This autumn, at Exeter Science Park ground is set to be broken on a £20million zero carbon hotel, ZEAL Hotel. We at Colliers are also working with the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales’ [link on Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales future plans to scale up their work.
While much of the above is about new developments it is also clear that retrofitting has a significant role to play. As regulations tighten around energy consumption there will be increasing action from landlords looking to meet net zero commitments. The commercial property sector will have a significant role to play to ensure that older less energy efficient buildings are brought into line, or find an alternative use, avoiding the more carbon intensive process of demolition and new build. Good investment advice will be crucial as legislation is developed and enacted to ensure that the UK can meet its net zero
carbon commitments.
Bristol and the South West are set to remain at the forefront of sustainability and offer lots of learning opportunities for other regions on how to embrace sustainability and drive the needed rapid transition to a low carbon economy.
Commercial real estate also has a role to play
The commercial real estate industry is also doing its part locally across all asset types. There’s lots of new developments boasting green credentials from The Church Commissioners for England’s recent completion of two sustainable developments at Exeter Logistics Park, including a distribution centre on behalf of DHL, as well as a speculative industrial unit. This autumn, at Exeter Science Park ground is set to be broken on a £20million zero carbon hotel, ZEAL Hotel. We at Colliers are also working with the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales future plans to scale up their work.
While much of the above is about new developments, it is also clear that retrofitting has a significant role to play. As regulations tighten around energy consumption there will be increasing action from landlords looking to meet net zero commitments. The commercial property sector will have a significant role to play to ensure that older less energy efficient buildings are brought into line, or find an alternative use, avoiding the more carbon intensive process of demolition and new build. Good investment advice will be crucial as legislation is developed and enacted to ensure that the UK can meet its net zero carbon commitments.
Bristol and the South West are set to remain at the forefront of sustainability and offer lots of learning opportunities for other regions on how to embrace sustainability and drive the needed rapid transition to a low carbon economy.
About the author
About the author
Alasdair Manning
Sustainability Programme Manager in Investment Property Management
Alasdair.Manning@colliers.com
Alasdair is a programme manager in our Property Management team, where he advises clients on mitigating risk and future proofing assets considering climate change and legislative changes. He has a particular focus on improving the social value performance of the assets we manage to benefit local communities.
Alasdair Manning
Sustainability Programme Manager in Investment Property Management
Alasdair.Manning@colliers.com
Alasdair is a programme manager in our Property Management team, where he advises clients on mitigating risk and future proofing assets considering climate change and legislative changes. He has a particular focus on improving the social value performance of the assets we manage to benefit local communities.
Alasdair Manning
Sustainability Programme Manager in Investment Property Management
Alasdair.Manning@colliers.com
Alasdair is a programme manager in our Property Management team, where he advises clients on mitigating risk and future proofing assets considering climate change and legislative changes. He has a particular focus on improving the social value performance of the assets we manage to benefit local communities.
Alasdair Manning
Sustainability Programme Manager in Investment Property Management
Alasdair.Manning@colliers.com
Alasdair is a programme manager in our Property Management team, where he advises clients on mitigating risk and future proofing assets considering climate change and legislative changes. He has a particular focus on improving the social value performance of the assets we manage to benefit local communities.
Alasdair Manning
Sustainability Programme Manager in Investment Property Management
Alasdair.Manning@colliers.com
Alasdair is a programme manager in our Property Management team, where he advises clients on mitigating risk and future proofing assets considering climate change and legislative changes. He has a particular focus on improving the social value performance of the assets we manage to benefit local communities.
Alasdair Manning
Sustainability Programme Manager in Investment Property Management
Alasdair.Manning@colliers.com
Alasdair is a programme manager in our Property Management team, where he advises clients on mitigating risk and future proofing assets considering climate change and legislative changes. He has a particular focus on improving the social value performance of the assets we manage to benefit local communities.
