Queensgate takes a Giant Leap Forward with Sustainability
Queensgate Shopping Centre, located in the centre of Peterborough, takes a proactive approach when it comes to sustainability.
The shopping centre has recently seen various improvements, such as a general reduction in its energy consumption by installing energy efficient lifts and escalators, whilst adopting local ‘switch me off’ campaigns and using natural ventilation throughout the premises.
Through developing a Growing Greener Pledge scheme, with the aim of encouraging independent retailers within Queensgate to adopt more sustainable environmental practices, this has improved the overall credentials of the centre.
Carol Wakelin, Environmental Manager at Queensgate Shopping Centre explains: “Queensgate is committed to protecting the environment and ensuring we are responsible as the leading shopping centre in Peterborough.’’
It is encouraging that retailers are getting involved in Queensgate’s green vision because it means a greater stakeholder engagement and a more holistic approach towards sustainability.
So far, the campaign has achieved an overall 83% retailer participation and produced an average cost saving of 31% across the retailers through eco-improvements. The potential energy saving, as a result of the Growing Greener Pledge, equates to 2,933 tonnes of co2e pa and the potential water saving is 3,570m3 pa.
Alongside this, Queensgate has made continual project developments in other areas across the centre, to include the installation of four car park refurbishments with energy efficient lighting and downsizing certain zones to reduce energy usage.
Currently, Queensgate is in the process of installing new water meters to tenant areas which will be read via its Building Management System, allowing increased monitor and reduced labour of manually reading the meters.
Queensgate has carried out these improvements through its Environmental Management System in order to make cost savings in waste, recycling and utility consumption. Queensgate brands itself as a responsible and future-focused organisation, through its improved green credentials.
With environmental awareness being of key importance for Queensgate, it frequently looks for ways to effectively communicate with its stakeholders to encourage their participation to address these environmental challenges.
The use of infographics has proven to be an ideal way for Queensgate to share its sustainability achievements with key influencers of environmental policy, specifically focussing on its employees, advisors and contractors.
