Project Puts Environment First

A major local development is being hailed as an example of best practice and a model of environmental cooperation.

The development of 44 Esplanade includes two Eco Active Business accredited companies, Camerons and Ogier, that are both aiming to minimise their impact on the island’s environment.

Marc Burton, Managing Director of the project’s construction firm Camerons, explained why accreditation was important: ‘The building industry is tough on the environment, consuming lots of energy and creating a considerable amount of waste and road transport. As the industry’s first Eco Active Business accredited company, we are the ideal partners to help Ogier realise what will be Jersey’s most environmentally sympathetic building.’ He added: ’44 is being built using modern, low-impact techniques on a brownfield site, which is essentially recycled land.’

Mr Burton said that Camerons is fully committed to the scheme: ‘Eco Active Business brings benefits all round. Firstly, we’re becoming more efficient, driving down costs by achieving more from less. We’re also reducing our carbon footprint, which enhances our reputation and gives us a competitive advantage. But there are other, hidden benefits, like encouraging more creative solutions.’
Mr Burton explained how the project is being managed: ‘We needed to develop a thorough understanding of the environmental aspects of construction, so our Project Manager, Phil Horsley, has qualified as an assessor for BREEAM, which is a national environmental construction initiative. Phil can accurately assess the carbon footprint of 44 Esplanade and is managing all aspects of the construction process, including water and fuel consumption, as well as waste management, to meet the target rating.’ He added: ’44 is the first local building to go through the BREEAM process. It has a rating of very good, which was set as a planning condition.’
Mr Tim Daniels, managing the project for Ogier, echoed support for the scheme: ‘Like Camerons, we are fully committed to Eco Active Business and our new building will be a tangible manifestation of that belief.’ He added: ‘It will be a structure designed and built to very tight tolerances, so there will be minimal impact on the environment through the operation of the building, it will also be an intelligent building that knows when and where to reduce heating and lighting, as areas are vacated.’

Mr Daniels said that Ogier’s commitment is not limited to the building: ‘We are examining all aspects of the way we do business, so we are drafting a travel plan that will confirm our commitment to Jerseys environment. We’ve started with an employee survey, to identify obstacles to minimising our transport impact through initiatives such as cycling and car sharing, and will look to other initiatives such as talking to the bus company, to create sympathetic transport patterns.’

But the philosophy of the building also brings other benefits, according to Mr Daniels: ‘Ogier is committed to excellence, so this is also about improving the well being of our people. We will provide easily accessible high quality changing rooms and showers, bike racks in the basement as well as car parking, centralised refreshment facilities and a café serving good quality food.

We’re aiming to set new standards in office space. This really will be an awesome place to work.’
Senator Freddie Cohen, who launched the Eco Active Business scheme early in 2007, said he was delighted with the development project: ‘The partnership between Ogier and Camerons is an excellent example of how companies can work together to create high quality, sustainable architecture.’

Eco-Active Business was endorsed at this year’s Durrell Sustainability and Responsibility Conference, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, where over 75 local business leaders called for the scheme’s next phase to include a forum for coordinating efforts and sharing knowledge.

To find out more about Eco-Active Business, visit www.enterprise.jersey.com/ecoactivebusiness.

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