FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
The Annex’s publication, which forms part of the Government Workplace Design Guide, demonstrates the commitment of the GPA to protecting the environment. It outlines the key actions it will take to maintain compliance with legal requirements, including adherence to the new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) mandated planning requirements. It also details how best practice and innovative approaches will be sought to enable the organisation to become a flagship agency in delivering on the Greening Government Commitments.
In addition to the launch of the BNRA, the Sustainability and Net Zero Annex has also been revised, highlighting how the GPA will continue to deliver buildings that are fit-for-purpose, energy-efficient, and sustainable.
The documents will enable the GPA’s activity to be relevant to TIP2030, the construction playbook and the BNG mandated planning requirements.
Dr Miguel Godfrey, Head of Sustainability at the GPA, said: “We are committed to enabling nature to thrive and recognise that we do not exist in isolation, humanity is connected to nature and we are all part of the bigger ecological picture, not separate from it.
“The GPA is using scale and commercial expertise to be a leading force in best practice for the protection and improvement of the environment during our commercial developments.
“We must safeguard, secure and improve the environment whilst effectively and sustainably, helping to support growth in all parts of the UK. As the strategic leaders of sustainability across the government office portfolio we want to promote biodiversity across our estate in all its forms.
“Our updated guidance and new annex are part of our commitment to our clients, our community, and nature.”
According to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Biodiversity Indicators Report, the UK is seeing significant declines in wildlife. Out of 24 recognised biodiversity indicators, 14 show long-term decline, including continued deterioration of UK habitats as well as a decline in priority species.
These statistics highlight the importance of improving biodiversity and are key drivers in ensuring that the GPA takes appropriate steps across all of its property portfolio to address it.
Service Works Global (SWG) is conducting research in partnership with FMJ, to find out how you are using technology in your role through a short survey.
Whatever your FM role, your responses will help to provide analysis and insight into the use of technology, as the FM industry rises to meet the challenges of sustainability, new ways of working and data-driven decision making. This will enable FMs to gain insight into future trends to stay ahead of the curve, and be able to benchmark against the industry as a whole.
The anonymised results will be published so that you can see how you compare to others within the sector.
The survey should take just 5-10 minutes of your time, and as a thank you, participants will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky winner will be picked at random to receive an iPad 10th Generation worth £499.
To take part click here.
