Grosvenor Group is placing its new Brentwood Block development in Burnaby, British Columbia, at the forefront of its North American sustainability initiatives. This project is central to the company's strategy to significantly reduce carbon emissions across its real estate portfolio, aligning with global climate targets.
Key Takeaways
- Brentwood Block will feature fully electric residential units and aims for complete project electrification.
- The development incorporates design principles to minimize embodied carbon in materials like concrete and steel.
- Grosvenor is exploring on-site renewable energy generation for the project.
- The company has set aggressive carbon reduction targets for its North American operations, aiming for a 42% decrease by 2030 and 90% by 2050 from a 2021 baseline.
A New Era of Sustainable Development
Grosvenor's commitment to sustainability is highlighted in its latest report, with the Brentwood Block project serving as a prime example of its forward-thinking approach. The development is designed to be highly energy-efficient, prioritizing electrification over traditional fossil fuel systems. This includes the installation of electric heating equipment in residential units, a move Grosvenor is pursuing even where natural gas heating is permitted and potentially preferred by consumers.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
Beyond electrification, Grosvenor is meticulously addressing the embodied carbon associated with construction materials. By employing efficient design strategies, the company aims to reduce the amount of concrete and steel used in Brentwood Block. Furthermore, emission reduction targets have been established for the entire lifecycle of the development, underscoring a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship.
Future-Proofing with Renewable Energy
Grosvenor is actively investigating the feasibility of integrating on-site renewable energy sources at Brentwood Block. This initiative, coupled with the push for full project electrification, demonstrates a dedication to reducing reliance on external power grids and minimizing the development's carbon footprint. The project is slated for phased completion between 2029 and 2030.
Broader Sustainability Efforts
The Brentwood Block initiative is part of Grosvenor's wider strategy to achieve its climate goals. This includes procuring renewable energy for existing properties, such as the solar panel installation at the Orchard Trimble office campus in California. Grosvenor Property Americas has already made significant strides, reporting a 42% reduction in property emissions since 2021. The company is also focused on improving data collection, particularly regarding tenant energy usage and supply chain emissions, to refine its sustainability planning and decision-making processes.
