11 office buildings become first to accomplish net-zero carbon status

Offices across Manchester and Liverpool have been verified as net-zero carbon under the UK Green Building Council’s 2019 definition

The 11 office buildings, by Peel L&P, are believed to be the first in the UK to demonstrate net-zero carbon status based on their operational carbon emissions, action taken to reduce those emissions and their renewable energy use.

Any remaining emissions from the newly verified office buildings will be offset through a Verified Carbon Standard tree-planting project in the North West to absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham who agrees that the verification plays an important role in the city region’s 2038 target response to climate change.

The message is ‘loud and clear’

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “In our Five-Year Environment Plan we’ve set out our commitment to make Greater Manchester carbon-neutral by 2038. Achieving that will require significant cuts to carbon emissions from homes and workplaces – responsible for about two-thirds of emissions across our city-region – with both the public and private sectors playing a vital role.

“Cutting carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency in the way that Peel L&P have done is not only possible – it’s essential to reducing our carbon footprint and delivering cleaner, more sustainable building stock throughout Greater Manchester.”

Five-year sustainability plan

Peel L&P’s work to reduce carbon emissions across its assets is part of the business’s first five-year sustainability plan which supports the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UN SDGs) to help create a fair and sustainable planet by 2030.

Sustainability director at Peel L&P, Jo Holden, said: “The region has set itself ambitious targets for achieving carbon neutrality and we want to demonstrate how we are playing our part by taking action to mitigate climate change.

“We will re-assess these properties annually, talk to our tenants about their role in reducing carbon emissions and look to increase the number of Net Zero Carbon buildings in our portfolio.”

John Alker, director of policy & places, UKGBC, commented: “Awareness of the climate emergency is at an all-time high, but we now need to embark on a decade of urgent action. The property sector has a huge role to play, so it is fantastic to see this type of leadership from Peel and we are delighted that the UKGBC Framework has helped guide the way.

“This also supports the green ambitions of some of our great cities, showing that the north can lead the way in the transition to net zero.”

Entire office buildings verified as net-zero carbon:

• The Venus, TraffordCity
• The Vic, MediaCityUK
• The Alex, MediaCityUK
• Quay West, MediaCityUK
• Digital World Centre, MediaCityUK
• 16 Robertson Street, Glasgow.

Office space verified as net-zero carbon:

• Peel L&P head office, intu Trafford Centre.

Landlord’s emissions verified as net-zero carbon:

• Princes Dock, Liverpool Waters – includes No.8, No.10, No.12 Princes Dock and Princes Dock Multi-Storey Car Park.