As a responsible business it is essential that we look to reduce resource consumption, both through our managed properties and also our development programme. In order to understand our progress, it is important that we monitor and measure our performance.
During the year to March 2022, the pandemic was very much still in evidence, with working from home guidance in place until July 2021 and a return to hybrid working patterns over the summer and autumn period. Despite these uncertainties, through our Customer first approach, we have continued to address today’s key themes of flexibility, service delivery and amenity provision. Sustainability, technology, health and wellbeing are key requirements for our customers and our focus has been on enhancing our customers’ experience, whilst future proofing our buildings for tomorrow’s working patterns.
Read our Sustainability Basis of Reporting and accompanying Limited Assurance Statement from Deloitte LLP for the Annual Report and Accounts 2023
Key Highlights
Carbon footprint progress: annual carbon emissions (tCO2e)
EPC ratings: percentage of portfolio (by sq ft) (%)
Current floor area certifications (%)
| BREEAM rated | Excellent/Very Good | 729,200 sq ft |
| SKA rated | Bronze/Silver/Gold | 555,700 sq ft |
| WiredScore rated | Platinum | 491,800 sq ft |
| ActiveScore rated | Platinum | 221,500 sq ft |
| Committed buildings | Under development targeting BREEAM Excellent | 303,600 sq ft |
We continue to achieve high ratings in a variety of investor-led indices as shown below.
GRESB Real Estate
ETHIBEL Sustainability Index
EPRA
V.E
Corporate ESG Performance
FTSE4Good
Governance and oversight
Management of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues is hardwired throughout our processes with oversight provided by our Sustainability Committee, Health and Safety Committee and Social Impact Committee. A sustainability and health and safety update is provided at each scheduled Board meeting by the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, with formal updates provided at least twice a year. The Board and Audit Committee undertake an in-depth review of GPE’s Principal Risks which includes consideration of climate risk.
View our Sustainability Policy 2022
Management Committees
The Sustainability Committee meets quarterly and is chaired by the Chief Executive. It provides strategic oversight on climate risk and resilience, reviews progress and development of sustainability strategy and monitors performance including progress in decarbonising our business. The Committee also provides oversight of the Decarbonisation Fund, our approach to health and wellbeing with respect to our buildings and the prevention of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain. The Sustainability Committee is supported by three operational sub-committees, finance, development and portfolio sustainability, which provide operational oversight and report on progress to the Sustainability Committee.
The Health and Safety Committee is chaired by our Chief Financial and Operating Officer, meets quarterly and is attended by key department heads with operational responsibility for health and safety. The Committee reports quarterly to Executive Committee and twice yearly to the Board, although health and safety updates are provided at each scheduled board meeting. The Health and Safety Policy is reviewed annually and approved by the Board. For more on health and safety see Working Safely.
Our Social Impact Committee is chaired by our Chief Financial and Operating Officer and meets quarterly. The committee reports to Executive Committee on a six-monthly basis and to the Board annually. Progress against our community strategy is publicly reported annually, for more information see our Social impact report.