biodiversity | AEJ Management

Tag Archive: biodiversity

Are You Committed to Becoming Net Zero?

21 June 2021 3:56 pm Comments Off

By September of this year, all those who wish to bid on government contracts above £5million per annum will have to have committed to the government’s plan of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Organisations wishing to bid on such contracts that have failed to disclose their plans will be excluded from the bidding process. This comes as part of new measures being introduced by the government requiring businesses to commit to reducing their emissions by half by 2030 and to be net zero by 2050 or sooner, before being able to bid for any government contracts.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become more than a by word across industry with firms being asked to detail how they plan to reduce carbon emissions, become more sustainable and to take all matters of biodiversity seriously and incorporate into company business plans. Ethical procurement is now an essential part of the procurement strategy nationwide for more and more businesses with the UK government looking to lead the way. Currently the government spends almost £300billion each year on procurement and therefore requiring firms who wish to bid on government contracts to detail, report and commit to the reduction of carbon emissions before being able to bid for public work, is an essential component in the bid process.

More and more firms are now having to invest in environmental management systems along with having to set out what their carbon reduction plan actually looks like. For larger firms this is nothing new, having to self-report parts of their carbon emissions (known as Scope 1 – direct and Scope 2 – indirect owned emissions).

These new rules, however, aim to go much further requiring the reporting of some Scope 3 emissions to include business travel, employee commuting, transportation and waste. The message is clear – What are your carbon reduction plans and are you committed to becoming net zero?

Biodiversity – How You Can Help?

26 May 2021 4:07 pm Comments Off

Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on earth and can refer to all of the species in a particular region or ecosystem. Biodiversity essentially refers to every living thing, to include plants, animals, humans etc.

At AEJ Management, we are always looking to incorporate biodiversity projects into the commercial real estate projects that we are asked to manage. This can not only add social and community value but also reduce any such biodiversity loss in the process. Below are some examples of how we have developed such biodiverse projects on client sites –

1) Build A Bug House

We’ve built bug houses or bug hotels on many a client site which can be located anywhere around the service yard or landscaped areas. These are easy to create and can be built from natural or waste materials, often donated by tenants on site from discarded pallets, bricks, wood etc. Materials that would otherwise have been discarded are then recycled to provide shelter for wildlife which increases biodiversity across the site and also reduces waste costs. This is a great initiative for local school children, and the local community in general, to be able to get involved at the site and become more aware about bugs and the environment in general.

2) Treehouse

Perhaps more relevant for a larger site, particularly a business park, but wood that has been cut down or which has been left to decay can be re-used to build a small woodland or treehouse which in turn can provide sustenance for birds to feed on insects contained within the wood itself.

3) Reduction of electricity usage

This is not only something that is relevant on client sites but also within office locations for businesses. Undertaking an audit of electricity consumption can identify areas where lighting can be rationalised to minimise the impact on the environment.

4) Build an Allotment

Allotments are great for community groups to get involved in ‘grow your own’ projects and also for occupiers to use. Think of using space in the corners of vacant retail/ business parks or roof space at offices. Another great and cost-effective initiative on reducing your carbon footprint!

5) Beehives

Another initiative to increase biodiversity whilst providing important community links. Beehives can be set up in woodland areas and also roof locations. ‘Bee’-careful however as a risk assessment will need to be carried out before beginning such a project, but well worth the effort with all that potential honey that can be gathered up!

These are just some initiatives that can be developed quickly and easily across client and business sites along with being great, not only for biodiversity, but also for strengthening local community links in the process.