GPE seeks to reuse 60% of materials in new schemes by 2040
GPE has announced plans to reuse more than 60% of materials in its new schemes by 2040.
To help achieve its target to reach net carbon zero by 2040 and to reduce the embodied carbon of its developments and refurbishments by 52% by 2030, the developer has introduced a circularity score.
The score will measure the percentage of reused materials incorporated into its developments and major refurbishments, with schemes starting after 1 April next year given a minimum target of 40%. This rises to 50% for schemes starting after 1 April 2030, with an ambition to rise to more than 60% on all new schemes by 2040.
GPE has announced plans to reuse more than 60% of materials in its new schemes by 2040.
To help achieve its target to reach net carbon zero by 2040 and to reduce the embodied carbon of its developments and refurbishments by 52% by 2030, the developer has introduced a circularity score.
The score will measure the percentage of reused materials incorporated into its developments and major refurbishments, with schemes starting after 1 April next year given a minimum target of 40%. This rises to 50% for schemes starting after 1 April 2030, with an ambition to rise to more than 60% on all new schemes by 2040.
For schemes currently on site, GPE said early indications showed circularity scores ranging from 25% for new builds to -55% for refurbishments.
Chief executive Toby Courtauld said: “Our new circularity score will challenge us to innovate further and faster than ever before as well as stimulating the growth of a deeper and better functioning market for reused materials. We also expect that our actions will encourage a more valuable and nuanced debate on what constitutes truly sustainable development rather than the currently polarised discussion around retrofit versus new build.”
Janine Cole, GPE’s sustainability and social impact director, said GPE planned to publicly disclose its building scores for on-site developments.
“We firmly believe that measurement supports improved management and that early action to stimulate innovation in our marketplace is essential,” said Cole. “We expect, as with embodied carbon, that consensus will emerge on the measurement of circularity and look forward to continued collaboration with the wider industry as we learn and progress.”
GPE said its schemes at Aldermanbury Square in the City and 30 Duke Street in St James’s were the catalyst for creating the score. GPE identified 1,700 tonnes of steel that could be taken from Aldermanbury Square and reused at Duke Street, dramatically reducing the percentage of virgin materials needed in the scheme.
