Derwent London, Landsec, Whitbread, Royal Opera House, LSE and Shaftesbury Capital among businesses that also saved a combined 4,162 tonnes of carbon [8.4%]
The first signatories to Westminster’s Sustainable City Charter (“The Charter”), launched by Westminster City Council and Westminster Property Association to tackle carbon emissions from the area’s commercial and public buildings, have reported a significant 19% decrease in their average energy usage per m² in the first year of the Charter.
Westminster’s public buildings, theatres, restaurants, shops, universities, hotels and offices are estimated to account for 70% of the area’s total carbon emissions. In order for Westminster to achieve its net zero 2040 target, it has been calculated that the city will need to save over 91,000 tonnes of carbon per year.
The Charter, which is the first of its kind in London, sets out a clear framework for how building owners and occupiers can take radical action to reduce operational carbon. It has been signed by 80 Westminster based businesses in total, ranging from iconic institutions to small independent companies that combined, own and occupy over 40 million sq ft, representing c. a fifth (19%) of Westminster’s total commercial floorspace and the equivalent size of 2.6 Hyde Parks (Based on Hyde Park at 15,246,000 (350 acres)).
The first 21 signatories (signed by March 2023), including Derwent London, Landsec, Royal Opera House, London School of Economics and Shaftesbury Capital have completed their first annual report, which shows that signatories’ average energy usage has decreased from 426 kWh per m² to 345 kWh per m², a fall of 19% during a 12-month period. This fall has resulted in an overall carbon saving of 4,162 tonnes, which is equivalent to the emissions generated by more than 10 million 5km passenger journeys on a London bus.
The 19% decrease in average energy use, including both electricity and gas, was achieved through a range of interventions:
- 81% of reporting businesses now monitor carbon emissions from energy usage in their building
- 62% have collaborated with other building occupiers or stakeholders on sustainability strategies
- 71% of businesses switched to greener energy tariffs
- 57% upgraded heating and cooling systems; 24% invested in windows, glazing and/or insulation
- 66% have introduced cycle to work or similar sustainable travel incentives.
The Charter was launched by Westminster City Council and WPA in November 2022 as part of the City Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan and is central to its goal to be a net-zero city by 2040. It applies to buildings in Westminster with non-domestic uses, including offices, museums and theatres and provides a clear and robust framework for reducing operational carbon.
It sets out guidance for Westminster’s businesses and property owners to take radical action to reduce operational carbon across their premises, including measures to reduce energy consumption and waste, enable sustainable forms of travel, ensure greener deliveries through the use of local suppliers and shared collection points and adopt ‘green leases’ that mandate data-sharing on energy performance.
Cllr Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member of Climate, Ecology and Culture at Westminster City Council, said: “We are under no illusions that our target of being a net-zero city by 2040 is a bold one. But we will only succeed if we urgently tackle emissions from commercial buildings, with property owners and businesses of all sizes fully committed to this goal.
“We are proud to have the support of 80 leading businesses for our pioneering Sustainable City Charter and the first round of reporting underlines how doing something simple can make a radical difference to a building’s energy performance. We are confident that this level of support will encourage more of Westminster’s businesses and institutions to engage and support the Charter moving forward.”
James Raynor, Vice Chair of Westminster Property Association and Chief Executive of Grosvenor Property UK, added: “The Sustainable City Charter has a crucial role to play in driving the partnership and innovation needed to tackle building carbon emissions and help Westminster lead the way as a sustainable city.
“Since the launch of the Charter, the progress made by signatories has been incredibly encouraging but we need to maintain momentum if Westminster is to achieve its goal of being a net zero city by 2040. Collaboration and innovation is the key to adapting the mostly older building stock in in the City and we hope more businesses will join the signatories who are working together to make this historic borough future fit.”
