Accelerating to Net Zero
Our contribution to sustainability goes beyond reducing carbon emissions. Accelerating to Net Zero is one of our strategic objectives which ensures we continue to lead the drive to achieve carbon reductions across the government’s office estate.
Accelerating to Net Zero is one of our strategic objectives which is ensuring we continue to lead the drive to achieve carbon reductions across the government’s office estate.
The property industry as a whole faces many unique challenges in the journey to net zero. By looking beyond carbon emissions, it’s clear there are opportunities to take great strides in achieving a carbon neutral society.
- As one of the country’s largest landlords, we have a vital leadership role to play in decarbonising the government estate.
- We have an opportunity and a responsibility to show what best practice looks like.
- We are at the heart of the push to deliver net zero across the Civil Service’s offices, whether we’re building state-of-the-art new hubs, or retrofitting historic buildings.
- Our work can help upskill teams for the future, encouraging industry to invest in innovation and talent.
Looking beyond carbon emissions:
The Net Zero Programme was established in late 2020 to focus on the drive towards a carbon neutral society. Through the programme, we are retrofitting low carbon interventions in the existing estate to contribute to the target of 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2032, which we aim to achieve by 2027.
Improve energy efficiency (reduce consumption)
Increase the use of green energy (decarbonise)
Generate and store green energy (locally)
Reduce embodied carbon (in construction) for the government’s office portfolio
What we have already achieved:
These achievements have us on the right track to meet our target.
Peterborough hub
Newly built government hub in Peterborough is predicted to achieve BREEAM certification and EPC A - Excellent status.
Carbon emissions
Saved 1,220 tonnes CO2 emissions pa and increased our annual saving to £604,000 pa on utilities to date
Reporting
Issued our first Environmental, Social, and Governance report
Capital projects
- All new buildings to at least BREEAM Excellent with no gas-fuelled plant (BREEAM Very Good for refurbishment).
- All new projects to achieve at least NABERS UK 4*.
- Set embodied carbon targets for all new projects (kgCO2 /m2)
Sustainability
- Increase the proportion of properties rated at least EPC B.
- Baseline Energy Use Intensity (EUI) across the estate and set improvement targets.
- Implement operational targets for Water Usage, Waste and Biodiversity.
- Embed a Utilities Bureau.
Net zero interventions
- Cut emissions by 1,200 tonnes of which 297 tonnes will be direct scope 1 emissions (or 79% in those buildings where decarbonisation is delivered) to remain on track to deliver the 50% Scope 1 emission reduction target early.
- Develop Net Zero Programme decarbonisation roadmaps to aid investment decisions.
- Deliver LED lighting upgrades/installed photovoltaic (solar) in at least 10 properties.
- Undertake heating, air conditioning and ventilation upgrades in 10 properties.
- Install smart metres in at least 30 properties to provide better data.
- Scope an additional four new heat decarbonisation projects to RIBA Stage 3
District heating systems
- Further reduce emissions from the Whitehall District Heat Scheme.
- Identify further opportunities to connect the GPA buildings to district heat systems
