Sustainability
UK Environmental Stewardship
ProLogis’ commitment to environmental stewardship in the UK is exemplified by our buildings, which are designed and constructed to:
- Operate as passively as possible to minimise the need for energy use
- Maximise the efficiency of essential energy usage
- Eliminate the impact of embodied carbon
- Where possible, specify and install Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) systems to meet customers’ specific business needs
An example of this approach can be seen at the recently completed Royal Mail distribution hub at Swan Valley, Northampton.
Carbon Neutral
ProLogis is the first industrial property company in the UK to announce that all newly developed UK build-to-suit warehouse buildings will be certified Carbon Neutral. The significance of this announcement is that we can help our customers to make a positive environmental impact immediately.
ProLogis has developed a process for measuring, reducing and offsetting all the carbon embodied within the structure and fabric of our distribution centres, which is monitored and assessed by carbon and sustainability consultants dcarbon8. Working with our supply chain to put in place measures such as off-site construction, we are able to reduce embodied carbon by up to 25% in comparison with a typical new build distribution centre. We then invest in high quality, verified carbon credits to offset 100% of any unavoidable embodied emissions, allowing each building to be certified ‘Carbon Neutral’.
All new ProLogis buildings save energy and will reduce operational carbon emissions by up to 79% compared with existing facilities. But, because it would take up to 20 years for a typical new build warehouse to compensate for the carbon embodied in the building through operational carbon savings alone, we address the embodied carbon at the construction stage, so that the environmental benefit of moving into one of our buildings is immediate.
Accountability
We ensure that all our project management activities and the buildings themselves are comprehensively monitored, audited and accredited.
We design and construct each of our buildings to reach a minimum BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard and to achieve the highest EPC ratings possible within its size category.
Similarly, all our project management activities are ISO 14001:2004
ProLogis is a founding member of the UK Green Building Council and of the Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability.
Operational Carbon : Step 1
To reduce operational carbon emissions, the first step is to implement passive design measures to reduce the need for energy. These include high levels of air-tightness and insulation to reduce potential heat loss. Our cladding specification and detailing provides insulation that is well in excess of Building Regulations, while pressure tests show that we can achieve air-tightness levels up to 90% better than the statutory requirement.
15% Rooflights
Rooflights on 15% of the warehouse roof area maximise the use of daylight, while optimal orientation takes into account the path of the sun and the prevailing winds. Where possible, offices are designed on a narrow floorplate with dual aspect glazing to take advantage of natural daylight and allow for effective passive ventilation. We also provide solar shading to ensure thermal comfort and avoid solar gain.
Solar walls
Operational Carbon : Step 2
When energy use becomes essential, we specify and install the most energy efficient plant available, such as intelligent lighting with
low-energy fluorescent fittings, daylight linking and presence-detecting controls. High-efficiency, low-NOX boilers with thermostatically controlled radiators heat the offices and different parts of the
building are sub-metered to help customers track and manage their energy consumption.
Operational Carbon : Step 3
Once the operational energy use in the building has been minimised, we can design and install low- or zero-carbon technologies to meet the customer’s specific operational needs and, as a result, further reduce operational carbon emissions.
At Sainsbury’s food distribution centre at ProLogis Park Pineham, for example, we installed a combined heat and power plant (CHP) that provides electricity and heat for the facility. The heat is produced during the electricity generation process and is used to drive an absorption refrigeration system as well as to heat harvested rainwater for use in an industrial tray wash in the on-site resource recycling unit.
We have also developed a new distribution hub in Northampton for Royal Mail, where the maintenance of a constant, comfortable temperature for staff in the sorting hall is an important priority. Therefore, to limit the use of fossil fuel, the sorting hall is heated by a biomass boiler and by a passive solar wall system, which uses the cladding of the building to capture heat from the sun.
