Effective strategies are key to prioritising the big issues
A sustainability strategy (or a Sustainable Development Action Plan in the case of public sector organisations) provides a powerful approach for prioritising key sustainability issues in a way that maximises positive outcomes and business benefits.

What is not measured cannot be managed

Organisations need to adequately understand their impacts in order to realise the benefits of a sustainable approach. Furthermore, unless measurement frameworks are robust, claims of sustainable performance will be viewed with scepticism by stakeholders.

Independent verification lends credibility to sustainability reports

Assurance provides independent verification of an organisation’s sustainability and carbon reduction claims, and can reassure stakeholders that the organisation’s reports and measurement systems are robust.

An assessment demonstrates high standards

Demonstrating that a development meets recognised sustainability standards will strengthen the application for planning consent and improve the marketability of the development.

Managing carbon emissions can reduce costs

The challenge of climate change is drawing increasing attention to carbon emissions. Stakeholders and regulators now expect organisations to manage and report their carbon impacts, and demonstrate a commitment to reducing them.

Robust energy management reduces both costs and risks

An effective energy management strategy combined with the appropriate interventions and monitoring frameworks, will optimise energy consumption, which can in turn realise cost savings and reduced exposure to volatile energy markets.

Energy Performance Certificates are now required by law

Whenever a property is constructed, sold or rented in Northern Ireland, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) now has to be made available to the new owner (in the case of a new build), or to the prospective buyer or tenant of the property.