Measuring resource use
We reported on resource use in our Head Office and in the common parts of our entire managed portfolio in the UK and Continental Europe.
We captured more of our resource use data, as part of our efforts to achieve our carbon neutral commitment.
The common parts are the areas where, as landlord, we control usage and can directly effect improvements. They typically comprise receptions, stairways and lifts in our managed multi-let portfolio, as well as public spaces and car parks in our shopping centres, retail parks and office estates. We manage these areas on behalf of our occupiers, sourcing electricity, gas and water.
All 2008/09 figures cover the period from 1 April 2008 until 31 March 2009. All resource use data is calculated according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 2008 guidelines for companies' environmental reporting.
Reporting performance on a year-on-year basis is not straightforward as our portfolio changes significantly over time, with properties bought and sold relatively frequently. The total floor area of the common parts has increased by 14% since 2004/05. Our total resource use is affected by these changes as well as by efficiency initiatives. We therefore focus on like-for-like resource use to drive actual reductions.
Next year, we will review our portfolio-wide performance on a quarterly basis, following the introduction of a new system to gather data in May 2009.
We also plan to use half-hourly sub-meters on a number of our properties to monitor energy use. Data will be available online for authorised users, so that we will be able to see the impact of our resource efficiency initiatives immediately and so that we will be able to offer our occupiers timely access to resource use data. This will enable them to manage their own resource use more effectively and to budget for utilities bills in advance. The information will also be used in partnership with utility providers to generate more accurate billing information.
