BRUNTWOOD
CREATING THRIVING CITIES
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BRUNTWOOD
I PROFILE
CREATING THRIVING CITIES Since its establishment in 1976, Bruntwood has been setting the example for sustainable development within the UK. ESG Director Alex Edwards sat down for an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability to explain more. Report by Imogen Ward.
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W
hether developing a new build
major milestones – starting in 2018, when it
or refurbing an existing struc-
became the first property company to sign
ture, Bruntwood and its joint
up to the UK Green Building Council’s net
venture partnership with Legal & General
zero programme, which Bruntwood SciTech
and Greater Manchester Pension Fund,
is equally committed to.
Bruntwood SciTech, makes sure to source
“We were also the first property company
responsibly and design with sustainability
to launch its own energy supply business,
in mind.
Unify Energy,” Mr Edwards added. “In
“We develop strong innovation ecosystems
2022 we completed a building efficiency
within cities, where we cluster buildings to
assessment on our entire portfolio, which
provide our customers with the space to
consisted of more than 5.5 million square
foster collaboration, amenity and expertise,”
feet across 100 buildings. That showed
ESG Director Alex Edwards explained. “We
us what we would need to implement to
always pride ourselves on stellar customer
achieve our own net zero targets.”
service, and we are committed to our purpose of creating thriving cities that fulfil our
Counting down to zero
ambitions and have a purpose.
To better understand what it needed
“Sustainability has always been a key
to do to reach net zero (and how long it
part of this. From the very beginning, we
would take), Bruntwood developed a net
chose recycling over rebuilding: bringing
zero pathway. Acting as a roadmap for
new life into old, unloved buildings.”
the company, this covered all areas of
Keen to action this commitment, Bruntwood has accomplished several
the business, from new build construction to refurbishment.
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BRUNTWOOD
I PROFILE
understand that, to reach net zero, we need to have a comprehensive strategy that addresses the full lifecycle of our work “Our seven domains are energy, emissions,
and not just one aspect. That’s why our net
sustainable materials, water, waste, sustain-
zero pathway is crucial. It sets out some
able transportation, and biodiversity and
ambitious, yet achievable and realistic
green spaces,” Mr Edwards said. “Of course,
targets, which are continuously reviewed,
there are a lot of challenges surrounding
ensuring we remain on track for our targets.”
these. When it comes to new builds, there is
By 2030, Bruntwood aims to use 100%
the issue of associated carbon that accom-
renewable energy to power the common
panies physical construction. Generally, that
spaces of all its buildings. In hopes of accel-
initial carbon equals around a third of the
erating this goal, the company recently
whole life-cycle carbon emissions of
acquired a 42.4% stake in Kirk Hill wind farm,
a building.
Scotland. Always one to break records,
“We want to push the boundaries
Bruntwood was the first commercial prop-
with our new and existing building stock:
erty real estate company to complete this
that’s what we have always done. We fully
type of acquisition.
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MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC Mitsubishi Electric & Bruntwood Group:
Portfolio EV0-lution
Engineering Comfort, Empowering Spaces
Bruntwood’s net zero plans are already
At Mitsubishi Electric, we see ourselves as more
having an impact on its portfolio. Eager to get the ball rolling, the company has recently secured planning permission
than justa leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment, we’re partners, helping our customers on their path to Net Zero. Our partnership with Bruntwood Group exemplifies
for the UK’s lowest carbon new build
thiscommitment. With changing legislation, businesses
workspace, EV0. The building is designed
facenew challenges. We’re here to help them reduce
with several key features, from its mass
their carbon footprints while maintaining a perfect
timber frame – within which carbon is
indoor environment. With our energy-efficient heating
sequestered – to an impressive PV array,
and cooling systems, we’reredefining the essence of
which is expected to meet 94% of the
comfortable workspaces — all designed to meet the
building’s annual electricity demand.
rigorous demands of modern buildingswhile aligning
“The design utilises the latest heat pump and heating network technology, including an inbuilt ambient loop which shares heat throughout the building,” said Mr Edwards. “We believe that these elements will help
with Bruntwood’s ethos of creating thriving cities.Learn more about our commitment to energy-efficient solutions and how we’re shaping the future of comfortable living and working environments. les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk editorial mention
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BRUNTWOOD
I PROFILE
reduce running costs by 58 per cent, when
of West Village, which the team at Bruntwood
compared to a traditional new build.”
SciTech have dedicated time to create the
Bruntwood SciTech has also been hard at work on a comprehensive redevelopment
perfect workspace that is also a biodiverse, green haven.
project in West Village, Leeds, which is part
“There’s significant biodiversity net gain
of an ongoing commitment to create cut-
across the development, which will remove
ting-edge workspaces that have a focus
CO2 and enhance local flora and fauna,”
on wellbeing, biophilia, technology,
said Mr Edwards. “We have installed
amenity and art.
a ground-breaking climate and water
A significant factor of this project is Castle
resilient blue-green roof, which stores and
House, a redeveloped building at the heart
reuses rainwater. This reduces the volume
ESG Director, Alex Edwards
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of surface run-off entering the sewer network, lowering the risk of flooding. “We also plan to significantly improve the building’s performance with the installation
minimal operational standards and encourage the construction of net zero new builds. “As we look to the future, bodies like GMCA
of internal insulation, a new air source heat
remain critical,” Mr Edwards said in conclu-
pump and mechanical ventilation with
sion. “From an operations perspective, we
CO2 control.”
also want to continue to grow and expand our offering – creating thriving cities that are
Positive collaboration
built on the foundations of sustainability. We
When it comes to implementing change
want to continue to develop our market
within the industry, Bruntwood and
leading position in sustainability. To aid this
Bruntwood SciTech understand that they
goal, we plan to compile all our data onto
cannot make a difference on their own.
one platform and use it to spot trends and
Over the years, they have completed a lot
improve the overall customer experience.
of work with local and national institutional bodies to help deliver new policies.
“Bruntwood and Bruntwood SciTech are really passionate about sustainability,
One such organisation is the Greater
and as part of a culture that filters down
Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA),
throughout both businesses. As the ESG
which both companies are working with to set
Director, I find that very exciting.”
n
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