// Quayside MediaCity and Gloucester Quays have become the first in the UK to achieve net zero carbon status
// The buildings achieved the feat following action taken to reduce emissions and up renewable energy use
Quayside MediaCity in Salford and Gloucester Quays, have become the first shopping centres to achieve ‘Net Zero Carbon – Operational Energy’, in line with UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework.
The two retail destinations have been added to the growing list of property company Peel L&P’s holdings that have achieved net zero carbon status, “demonstrating the company’s commitment to climate resilience by rolling out [related] initiatives across its estate”.
Back in 2021, many of Peel L&P’s assets were transferred to a 100% renewable electricity tariff linked to named wind farms, which considerably cut carbon emissions across the property portfolio.
Within the retail outlets, energy efficiency programmes have included upgrading lighting systems across all spaces including public areas, food courts, back office and advertising signage.
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Peel L&P’s Sustainability and ESG director Jo Holden said: “This is a huge milestone. To have achieved net zero carbon with two significant retail destinations is a UK first and shows just how serious we are at taking action to reduce carbon emissions across our portfolio.
“Net zero carbon status has really driven our energy team and everyone around the business to seek out ways of using less energy and more renewable sources.
“The impact on our carbon emissions has been far-reaching and the effort of our people shouldn’t be under-estimated. But it is our ambition to build on this and make our properties even more resilient to climate change, which is why we were so proud to have eighteen buildings verified at the end of 2022, including two key retail centres.”
Peel L&P’s work to reduce carbon emissions across its assets is part of its five-year sustainability plan which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2022, it unveiled its Climate Positive Plan, a promise to take more greenhouse gases out of the air than it produces by 2030.
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