ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Board aims to achieve good environmental standards at properties and developments owned by the Group.  The Group employs project managers and building surveyors who are responsible for monitoring adherence to the Group’s environmental policy.  Ultimate responsibility for the financial effect of environmental issues within the Group rests with Jagtar Singh, the Group Finance Director.  General environmental issues considered by the Group include the following:-

• Undertaking environmental risk assessments as part of the due diligence process prior to the acquisition of land sites and other property;
• Designing high energy efficiency into any new buildings and developments that are undertaken;
• Working in partnership with employees, suppliers and contractors to raise environmental awareness and to ensure effective management of environmental and social impacts;
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and related requirements;
• Undertaking developments in a manner that seeks to minimise the visual, noise and other adverse impacts on the local environment.

Energy

The wasteful use of energy does not make sense either environmentally or financially.  Throughout 2010 and for the six months to 30 June 2011 we estimate that we managed 96 million KWh of energy generating 34,335 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Initiatives undertaken during the year under review to improve energy efficiency included the following.

• A major lighting replacement programme was implemented in 2010 with several thousand lamps being replaced with significantly more efficient ones. Lighting control systems were also installed in many locations to ensure that the lights are only switched on when an area is occupied.
• In our serviced offices, procedures have been introduced to ensure that all electrical equipment is turned off at the end of the working day, which has had a significant effect on energy consumption.
• Monitoring and targeting of energy use is being progressively implemented throughout the Group, together with benchmarking of energy use in similar operations. 

The importance of saving energy is understood at all levels of the organisation, and although significant progress was made in the period under review, we are confident of achieving even more in future years.

Waste disposal and recycling

Efficient waste management and the value of recycling wherever possible, is promoted throughout the Group.  The Group’s operating businesses of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin and MWB Business Exchange, adhere to the Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, and continually assess their management of waste disposal and use of materials with the intention of reducing any adverse environmental impact.