The north-west-based shopping and leisure destination Trafford Centre has unveiled its sustainability and social impact strategy.
Dubbed ‘For our Future’, the programme includes commitments for positive social and environmental change within its operations as well as the community it resides in.
Central to the sustainability and social impact strategy is achieving net zero carbon in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, but Trafford Centre said it is working with its tenant brands to help support their own carbon reduction initiatives. The latter piece of work is part of the site’s Scope 3 commitments.
Another target is to become “a positive role model” for other real estate businesses in the retail and leisure sectors, and the programme of worked is backed by several measurable objectives in the environmental, social and governance – or ESG – areas.
The Trafford Centre is owned by CPP Investments, which bought the site in 202o after previous owner intu’s administration, and it wants to reduce its impact on the environment and continue to make a positive contribution to the local community.
Some actions being taken include replacing all existing external lights with LEDs, achieving 65% on-site waste segregation by 2025, and introducing a “green lease” scheme for tenants. The ambition is to introduce solar power and more electric vehicle charging on its site, while there are dedicated water conservation and waste management plans in place.
“We’re located in Manchester, so rain is our friend and there is a significant opportunity to further explore rainwater harvesting to reduce our reliance on the mains water system,” the sustainability and social impact strategy report states.
“We’re also mindful of how water is used throughout our tenants’ supply chain, and we strongly encourage our tenants to promote management practices and technologies that facilitate water recycling and use of water-efficient materials.”
In terms of waste management initiatives, phase one will include launching an app to connect all equipment across all nine service yards and waste streams, establishing a dedicated waste management team, and bringing about a 20% reduction in waste vehicle trips by the end of 2023.
The following phase will see the Trafford Centre segregate plastic film and shrouding, launch recycling stations for food waste in the Orient food court, use only electric vehicles for waste lifts, segregate coffee cups and granules, and use green waste and food waste for production of compost. There will also be an annual campaign, ‘Don’t Waste’, focused on engaging tenants and the local community on the matter.
Fraser Pearce, chairman of Trafford Centre, commented: “Our approach to running a responsible business is built on partnership, collaboration and transparency.
“We believe it’s vital for everyone who works, shops at and visits Trafford Centre to be engaged with our journey, so we’re committed to delivering, together. By making practical changes such as improving our biodiversity, reducing waste, having a positive impact on our community and supporting the vulnerable, we can build a positive legacy and future.”
Read more about retail property’s eco agenda on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Trafford Centre]
