Sustainability ‘imperative’ to our core, says Helical

Helical has joined the growing list of major developers making sustainability an “imperative” to their business. The firm has committed to making all new developments net zero by 2025, reducing the embodied carbon in all new developments by 20% and reducing the operational carbon emissions of its existing portfolio by 25% over the next five years. Matthew Bonning-Snook, property director and chair of Helical’s sustainability committee, said: “It is imperative that sustainability is at the core of all activities at Helical. As owners and creators of exciting design-led buildings, we acknowledge that our activities have a direct and indirect environmental, social and economic impact. “We also recognise that there is a climate crisis and as a responsible business we need to ensure we are minimising our impact on the environment. “As we move towards a net-zero carbon world, we are in a position where we can drive change in the way buildings are built, managed and operated. By creating measurable carbon targets, and adopting low-carbon technologies and green energy contracts, Helical is well placed to become a net-zero carbon business in the future.” The business has set itself key targets to help it deliver on its long-term vision for sustainability. These include ensuring that all new developments and refurbishments above a contract value of £5m achieve a minimum BREEAM Excellent rating, that at least 90% of construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfill with all new developments and major refurbishments aiming for a minimum 50% recycling target, and that landlord-purchased water consumption is reduced by 2% from its 2019 baseline. Read Helical’s Built for the Future sustainability plan in full here. To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@egi.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette