Growing greener... an original

• Implementation of a first-of-its-kind assessment scheme - the Growing Greener pledge - which has analysed the core sustainability components of a shopping mall and flagged areas for improvement
• The scheme has achieved 4 253 000 kWh savings in energy use (and financial savings of € 552 000); cut water use by 3 000 m3 and carbon emissions by 2 933 tonnes; and led to zero waste going to landfill

Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough, UK has successfully engaged with its retailers to achieve significant reductions in energy, waste and water use.

The following measures were implemented with the cooperation of shopping mall staff:

• An environmental management system (EMS) was introduced
• Staff were offered the chance to sign a 'growing greener' pledge
• Recycling was widely introduced
• Special 'spill kits' were made available
• 'Switch me off' and 'Every drop counts' campaigns were carried out
• A retrofitting programme was introduced
• Staff training and community engagement were important
• A green covenant was formed

Key impact

The shopping centre is one of the first in the UK to have its own environmental manager. Overall, by implementing all these measures, Queensgate shopping mall reduced the cost associated with energy and water consumption, and cut back its CO2 production.

Actions also maximased the efficiency of natural resource usage and created conditions to prevent pollution and contamination.