Thursday 26 January 2023

UK’s first net zero shopping centres are go

Two shopping centres have become the first in the UK to achieve net zero status.

Gloucester Quays and Quayside MediaCity in Salford have achieved the milestone in line with the framework set up by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC).

The shopping hubs join a long list of properties owned by Peel L&P to receive the net zero crown – after the company began moving many of its sites to renewable energy two years ago.

For these shopping centres to become net zero, changes to the lighting, energy use and food courts have all been made.

Jo Holden, Sustainability Director at Peel L&P, said: “This is a huge milestone. To have achieved net zero carbon with two significant retail destinations is a UK first and shows just how serious we are at taking action to reduce carbon emissions across our portfolio.

“Net zero carbon status has really driven our energy team and everyone around the business to seek out ways of using less energy and more renewable sources.”