This is a guest article by Yohannah Caussyram, Canary Wharf Group's Sustainability Communications Manager.
ESG Strategy
CWG is committed to creating sustainable urban environments through their comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy. This strategy focuses on several key areas:
- Climate Action: CWG aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, with an interim target of reducing emissions by 65% by 2030 from a 2017 baseline. Additionally, 60% of their suppliers are expected to have Science Based Targets (SBTs) by 2025.
- Nature Positive: CWG enhances biodiversity through a partnership with the Eden Project, aiming to bring nature back into urban spaces and support ecological balance.
- Driving Circularity: A pioneer in waste management, CWG has achieved zero waste to landfill since 2009. They focus on minimising construction waste and prioritise the use of river transport over trucks to reduce their environmental footprint.
- Social Impact: CWG is dedicated to delivering positive social impacts in the communities where they operate, ensuring their developments benefit local residents and businesses.
Why FSC-Certification
FSC-certification is a critical component of CWG's commitment to sustainability. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) project certification ensures that the wood used in construction comes from responsibly managed forests, promoting environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Wood Wharf
Wood Wharf is a pioneering mixed-use development that demonstrates sustainable urban growth. The use of FSC-certified wood in the Wood Wharf buildings (FSC®P001864 & FSC®P001864) such as One Park Drive, 8 Water Street, 10 Park Drive, 15 Water Street, 20 Water Street, 10 George Street, 30 Harbord Square, 3 & 15 West Lane, 8 Harbord Square and 40, 50 & 65 Harbord Square underscores CWG's dedication to eco-friendly practices.
To date, CWG has incorporated a substantial amount of FSC-certified timber into their Wood Wharf buildings. Specifically, 3 & 15 West Lane have utilised 8,134m3 of certified timber, while 8 Harbord Square has incorporated 1,210m3. These efforts not only reflect CWG's dedication to sustainable building practices but also highlight the scalability of environmentally responsible construction on a large scale.
CWG’s approach to achieving FSC project certification starts from their procedures. FSC is written into several of their procedures to enable their design and construction functions to consider use prior to start.
During the design stage CWG work with their architects and design consultants to ensure FSC timber products are specified. This specification feeds into their Trade contractor tenders and subsequently into their Trade contractor work packages.
CWG request all Trade Contractors, who use timber, report the monthly use and record via their data platform. This is audited by the CWG Sustainability team and external auditors for verification. By adhering to FSC standards, Wood Wharf not only supports biodiversity and forest conservation but also sets a powerful example for other urban developments.
The use of FSC-certified wood in these buildings demonstrates that it is possible to build sustainably without compromising on quality or aesthetics, making it a model for future projects aiming to integrate sustainability into their core values.
Crossrail Place Rooftop
Free to visit and open daily to the public until 9pm or sunset in summer, Crossrail Place Roof Garden is one of London’s largest roof gardens. Wander through and admire the exotic plants, relax on one of the many benches nestled in hidden pathways or enjoy a show in the amphitheatre. Crossrail Place sits almost exactly on the Meridian line with planting arranged according to which hemisphere they are from. Asian plants such as bamboos to the east, and plants such as ferns from the Americas to the west.
CWG utilised FSC-certified wood on the Crossrail Place Roof Garden project (FSC®P001714) to ensure sustainability and responsible sourcing, including 1,000m3 of certified spruce timber for the distinctive timber lattice roof. This design allows light and rain to penetrate, creating a favourable microclimate for the garden's plants. The use of FSC-certified wood underscores CWG's commitment to environmentally sustainable construction practices.
These efforts highlight CWG's dedication to integrating sustainability into their projects, creating a green and accessible space for the public.
Using FSC-certified wood in our projects not only supports environmental sustainability but enhances our overall sustainability credentials. It sets a powerful message for other urban developments, showing that it's possible to build sustainably without compromising on quality or aesthetics.
- Olivia Phillips, Director of Sustainability (Development and Construction)
For more insights, refer to the CWG ESG Report 2023.