Green Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf Group has an all-encompassing approach to sustainable development and the environment. Sustainability is important to us at all stages of construction from planning and design through to the completion of the construction stage of our new buildings. We aim for BREEAM ratings of ‘Excellent’ on all new developments and work closely with new tenants to achieve their environmental targets.

We are proud to be a member of the UK Green Building Council, which champions sustainable building design and the Better Building Partnerships and Green 500 which promote carbon reduction.

We have in place an Environmental Management System which covers all of our activities. This enables us to improve on previous performance and demonstrate the importance we place upon environmental issues throughout the Group. Our system is certified to ISO 14001 and monitored by independent audit and our performance against annual targets is independently verified and reported in our Corporate Responsibility Report each year.

Canary Wharf Group was named one of the UK’s Best Green Companies by The Sunday Times in 2009 and 2010.

Sunday Times Best Green Companies 2009

The Canary Wharf estate has 20 acres of open landscaped space both at ground level and in the form of green roofs. These, coupled with the docks surrounding the estate attract various species of plants, birds, fish and animals. We have created our own Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) which integrates with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Biodiversity Action Plan. The plan also incorporates targets from the UK and London Biodiversity Action Plans, as well as reflecting the growth of species inhabiting the Canary Wharf. Our aim is to create a habitat attractive to both our tenants and vistors on the Wharf.

Communication

Canary Wharf Group is in a unique position of being well placed to communicate to approximately 95,000 people how we are behaving in a more sustainable way and to encourage them to do likewise. We can do this is a number of ways.

Environmental Management System

With such a diverse range of impacts on the environment, actions to minimise adverse impact and to enhance the positive contribution has required the implementation of a robust and comprehensive environmental management system.

Although documentation can never replace dedication and the application of common sense an effective management system can focus attention on those objectives and targets where improvements and actions are required.

Energy Management

The Group’s energy is supplied by EDF Energy. We are signed up to their Green Tariff for our own office areas. This is a means of supporting the production of ‘green’ electricity. EDF measure the power that we use and purchase the same amount of electricity generated by renewable sources such as wind farms and hydroelectricity instead of conventional methods, such as coal.

Waste Management

The management of waste has changed greatly in recent years mainly due to developments in European and UK law. Challenging targets have been set for local authorities and this heavily influences any waste management strategy that is to be adopted. Therefore, CWG has developed a Waste Management Plan in line with current targets, which outline plans to reduce waste growth and improve management of the waste which is produced.

Transport

Canary Wharf Group understands the importance of encouraging its staff, tenants and visitors away from car use and onto more carbon efficient methods of transport. We have strategies in place to achieve this including utilising the River Thames for transporting waste and encouraging staff via incentive schemes to cycle or use public transport.

Biodiversity

Since 2004 the Group have produced a Biodiversity Action Plan. This has been revised to reflect the changes to the Estate and also the changes in species numbers and protection status. We have formed partnerships with outside agencies and specialists for advice and support in making changes to encourage a diverse range of species to the Estate and to protect indigenous species already present.