How we’re tackling the climate crisis

How we’re tackling the climate crisis

We’re creating thriving, sustainable cities one development at a time. At Bruntwood, we breathe new life into unloved buildings and pioneer eco-friendly workspaces.

Part of the global picture

Our sustainability objectives are aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13.

  • Goal 4: Quality education

    Quality education

    Goal 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

    Affordable and clean energy

    Goal 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

  • Goal 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure

    Industry innovation and infrastructure

    Goal 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

    Sustainable cities and communities

    Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

    Responsible consumption and production

    Goal 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

  • Goal 13: Climate action

    Climate action

    Goal 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Read our Sustainability Packs

Pall Mall

Reinventing with the planet in mind

Since our inception in 1976, we’ve taken unloved buildings and brought them back to life - a process called retrofitting, which creates 80-85% less upfront carbon emissions compared to a typical new build.

Retrofitting heritage buildings in the UK is an especially challenging process, so we’re proud to be redeveloping our Grade 2-listed Pall Mall building to meet future sustainability standards, as one of our latest Pioneer spaces.

The Ev0 Building

Pioneering low carbon buildings

All of our new buildings are net zero in construction (the initial build) and operation (throughout the building’s life), in common areas.

In Didsbury, we’re creating the UK’s lowest carbon new build workspace - Ev0. Ev0 is an award-winning, fully electric building and will have a unique, sustainably-sourced, timber frame that locks in high volumes of carbon.

Smart technology inside the building will allow us to control the temperature and air quality, helping to reduce energy wastage - and Ev0 customers will be able to easily track their energy usage.

Test

Investing heavily in renewable energy

We're generating new renewable electricity to power our buildings and provide stable energy costs for our customers.

In 2020, we became the first commercial property company to launch its own fully-regulated energy supply business - Unify Energy.

Since then, we’ve been providing our customers with direct access to an in-house energy support team, opportunities to invest in 100% renewable energy like Kirk Hill wind farm, competitive pricing and all of the extra customer protection provided by an Ofgem-licensed supplier.

Creating safe, sustainable spaces

"We're proud to be creating safe, sustainable places that allow our cities to thrive"

Alex Edwards, Bruntwood SciTech ESG Director

Bruntwood’s bitesize net zero pathway

  • 2022

    From 2022 onwards, all of our new buildings are net zero in construction and operation, in common areas.

  • 2024

    This year, we’re developing sustainable options for all customer fit outs that are managed by us.

  • 2025

    Where we get electricity from the national grid, we’re aiming to power 100% of our common spaces with renewable electricity by 2025.

  • 2030

    By 2030, all of our spaces will be powered by renewable electricity and all areas under our direct control will be net zero carbon.

  • 2040

    By 2040, all gas boilers used for heating and hot water will be removed from the Bruntwood portfolio.

  • 2050

    By 2050, we'll be a fully net zero carbon business across all of our operations.

Read Bruntwood's full net zero pathway

Sustainability runs through our portfolio

  • Base development

    Base

    Our first ever net zero building, with an A-rated energy performance and sustainability measures including: solar panels, a heating and cooling system (which results in far lower emissions than a standard system) and recycled carpets throughout.

    Visit Base

  • No. 1 Circle Square

    No. 1 Circle Square

    No. 1 Circle Square has a BREEAM Excellent rating, EPC A rating, highly efficient heating and cooling systems, a facade that reduces the need to heat and cool the building, and the first and largest new Manchester City Centre park for generations - Symphony Park.

    Visit No. 1 Circle Square

  • The Alberton

    the Alberton

    the Alberton is targeting a NABERS 5.5* rating, BREEAM Excellent rating, EPC A rating, and will operate at net zero carbon. The development will house the UK's highest workspace pool, which will be heated using excess heat from the building.

    Visit the Alberton

  • Greenheys

    Greenheys

    Greenheys is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, EPC A rating and will be net zero in construction and operation. Among other sustainability elements, a green wall will be wrapped around the first two floors to increase biodiversity and air quality.

    Visit Greenheys

  • West Village Leeds

    West Village Leeds

    At West Village, one of Bruntwood’s Pioneer developments in Leeds, we’re installing spectacular HYVERT living walls in its new courtyard and inside the building, as well as a smart blue-green roof to improve water use, air quality and biodiversity levels in the area. 

    Visit West Village

  • Centre City Sustainability

    Centre City

    We’re actively working on sustainable travel options for building users and as part of the redevelopment, we’re installing a 150-space cycle hub, 150 lockers, and showering and clothes drying facilities. We're also installing three HYVERT living green walls to the building’s exterior which will improve air quality.

    Visit Centre City

Innovation and partnerships

  • Better Building Partnerships logo
  • Uk GBC
  • GMLEM Logo
  • City of Trees logo
  • Manchester Climate Change Agency logo
  • Energy Innovation Agency logo

Sustainability news

Blackfriars: 100 years of heritage

By Bruntwood

Why The Transformation of Heritage Buildings is Key to Sustainable Office Design

24th May 2023

Recycling in the Workplace: How to Reduce Waste

By Bruntwood

Recycling in the Workplace: How to Reduce Waste

17th April 2023

Pall Mall Exterior CGI October 2022

By Bruntwood

Bruntwood receives planning approval to transform Manchester's iconic Pall Mall into sustainability and wellbeing Pioneer

20th July 2023 - Manchester City Centre

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