CrownGate Shopping Centre, Worcester

Energy efficient lighting

Unit on the Cambridge Business Park

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Case Study

Environmental Performance Index

Since 2005, The Crown Estate has been engaged in a project to monitor the environmental performance of its urban managing agents. We have developed an Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which is a set of environmental criteria against which the agents are judged. The criteria cover resource use (energy, water and materials), waste and pollution and relationships with contractors and suppliers. All five urban managing agents have now achieved above 98% at foundation level, which means that they all have an employee or a contractor with responsibility for the monitoring and the reduction of energy use, water consumption and waste production and that all have publicly committed to increasing resource efficiency in our buildings. The EPI has led to some significant improvements in the environmental performance of our agents. The following examples of good practice are of note:  

• Regent Street Direct is in the process of installing a microvac system on Regent Street in order to reuse food waste as compost. It is also arranging detailed energy audits for all of The Crown Estate properties which it manages.
• King Sturge has taken part in an energy monitoring project on a number of properties and has seen real improvements in energy use as a result. It has also orchestrated a feasibility study into renewable energy at Cambridge Business Park.
• CBRE has implemented a successful programme of reduction targets over the past two years and, at the CrownGate shopping centre, Worcester, has achieved reductions in electricity use through the use of energy efficient lighting and improvements in recycling through an excellent programme of tenant engagement.
• Cluttons has conducted an extensive programme to engage with tenants about waste management with the aim of introducing a centralised waste management programme.
• Drivers Jonas has committed to have detailed energy audits conducted at all of The Crown Estate properties which it manages.

The EPI has proved to be so successful that we have now adopted tailored versions of it at Windsor and at the Housing Business Group. In adhering to the EPI we can ensure that these estates are managed in line with best environmental practice.