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Our Commitment to ESG: Building a Responsible Future
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Building a Responsible Future
At St James Quarter, we believe that how we operate is just as important as what we achieve. That’s why Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are embedded in our strategy, our culture, and our daily actions.
We’re proud to take meaningful steps that contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and transparent future—both within our organisation and across the communities we serve.
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ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
We take climate action seriously. Our operations are aligned with international best practices, and we’re proud to have achieved:
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
- ISO 50001 – Energy Management
- BREEAM In-Use 5 Star Excellent certification
- GRESB 5 Star (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) No.1 within mixed use / Europe
From energy efficiency upgrades to responsible resource use, we are continually working to reduce our environmental footprint and drive long-term value through sustainability.
BREEAM is a registered trademark of BRE (the Building Research Establishment Ltd. Community Trade Mark E5778551). The BREEAM marks, logos and symbols are the Copyright of BRE and are reproduced by permission
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Net Zero Commitment
We are actively pursuing a clear and measurable path to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030. This journey involves strategic investment, innovative infrastructure, and close collaboration with our partners and occupiers.
A key element of our approach includes the incorporation of a blue roof design, which helps manage rainwater sustainably, supports urban cooling, and reduces the burden on city drainage systems. Alongside other low-carbon interventions, this contributes to climate resilience and aligns with our overall decarbonisation goals.
Our Net Zero pathway includes:
- Partnership with a local energy centre, enabling us to deliver low-carbon energy to site
- Utilising Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology, enhancing energy efficiency by capturing and reusing heat that would otherwise be wasted
- 100% LED lighting across all internal and external areas, significantly reducing energy consumption
- All lighting is integrated with our intelligent lighting control system, allowing for advanced scheduling, daylight sensing, occupancy control, and optimisation to minimise unnecessary energy use
- A site-wide Building Energy Management System (BEMS) monitors and optimises energy usage in real-time, ensuring peak efficiency across heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation systems
- Engagement with occupiers and suppliers to lower Scope 3 emissions
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Landscaping & Biodiversity
We recognise the vital role that urban green space plays in supporting local ecosystems and improving wellbeing.
To guide our efforts, a comprehensive biodiversity audit has been undertaken across our site. This has enabled us to design and implement a planting strategy that actively supports pollinators, enhances habitat diversity, and contributes to overall ecological health.
Our approach to landscaping ensures that green areas are not only visually appealing but also environmentally valuable – helping to create a more resilient and biodiverse urban environment.
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Sustainable Travel & Urban Accessibility
Located at the heart of a major city, we’re perfectly positioned to support sustainable transport. Our site is easily accessible by bus, tram, and train, helping reduce reliance on private vehicles.
To further support green commuting, we provide:
- Cycle racks and secure bike storage
- Shower and changing facilities
- Water refill points
- On-site EV charging stations
- Specified Car-Sharing Bays
We’re creating a workplace that encourages healthy choices and helps reduce carbon emissions for everyone who visits or works with us.
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Waste & Circular Economy
Minimising waste and maximising resource recovery is central to our sustainability goals. Our waste journey has seen significant progress:
- Consistently achieving over 60% recycling rates
- Targeting over 70% recycling across our operations
- Winners of an International Green Apple Environmental Award for excellence in recycling and environmental best practice
- Pioneering innovation: We introduced Scotland’s first recycling stream for Food-Serviced Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR) – diverting more waste from landfill and increasing our material recovery rates
We continue to work closely with partners and occupiers to improve waste segregation, introduce new recycling streams, and embed circular economy principles throughout our operations. As part of this commitment, we donate surplus products to local charity partners and community groups to extend the life of valuable resources and reduce waste. All electrical items are Portable Appliance Tested (PAT) before donation to ensure safety and compliance.
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Social Impact
People power our progress. We promote diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing across our organisation and value chain. From community engagement to high standards of health and safety, we’re committed to being a positive force in the places we operate.
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Community & Social Responsibility
Giving back to our community is core to who we are. Through long-term partnerships with charity organisations and community groups, we support impactful local initiatives and create opportunities for meaningful engagement.
In 2024/25 alone, we raised over £85,000 through a combination of fundraising efforts and in-kind donations.
We are proud to:
- Champion the Real Living Wage, ensuring fair pay across our organisation
- Partner with FUSE, an organisation focused on working with individuals from areas ranked in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)
- Support employment pathways and upskilling, helping people overcome barriers to employment and build long-term careers
- Enable staff to volunteer and engage directly with causes that matter
Our CSR work reflects our commitment to inclusive growth, social mobility, and making a real difference beyond the workplace
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Strong Governance
Our business is built on trust. Through rigorous governance, transparency, and ethical decision-making, we maintain accountability to our stakeholders and ensure long-term resilience.
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Certified. Connected. Committed.
Our ESG journey reflects who we are – and where we’re going.
Learn more about our impact and ongoing initiatives at www.stjamesquarter.com