Helical Bar remains committed to managing adverse environmental impacts arising from its property management and development activities. Our strategic commitment to the environment is outlined in the Company’s environmental policy. The environmental policy is supported by 11 overarching environmental objectives, outlining our commitment across a range of environmental issues as diverse as resource use, waste management and environmental design. Click here for the Company’s environmental policy.

As a minimum, we aim to comply with all relevant local, national and international legislation and regulation. Where practicable, we seek to go further and implement good environmental practices, because, amongst other things, we believe that it minimises risk, future proofs to our business, adds value beyond the traditional financial measures of property markets and contributes to our enhanced reputation.

We set targets annually as part of an ongoing commitment to continuing improvement. These targets cover three main areas of our activity, namely, design and construction, property management and our own office occupation. Progress against these targets is tracked quarterly and a detailed review of progress against these targets is undertaken by our third party advisors each year summarising how we performed against our stated commitments. Click here for a review of the company’s performance against 2007/08 targets.

Although fewer targets have been set than in previous years (and indeed that they are being published later in the year than normal), these targets have been refined over the recent months to be deliverable and make significant contribution to our environmental performance. We will look to publish targets as usual for the financial year 2008/09 starting April 1st 2008.

2007/2008 Targets:

Design & Construction

• Achieve a minimum BREEAM rating (design stage) of 'Very Good'' at 80 Silverthorne Road (Battersea) and Riverbank House.
• Evaluate the waste management data collected from Clareville House and roll out the same measurement practices at 80 Silverthorne Road.

Property Management

• Continue to engage with selected tenants at managed offices to promote and encourage waste recycling programmes.
• Undertake an energy audit at a selected managed office with a view to implementing the recommended energy efficiency improvement practices at other similar properties where appropriate.

Company-wide & Own-occupation

• In light of Helical Bar’s 2007 Farm Street head office refurbishment, establish a baseline for energy consumption in 2007-08, with a view to targeting and measuring in subsequent years.
• Achieve a waste recycling rate of 30% at Helical Bar’s Farm Street head office.
• Introduce the UK Government's 'Bike to Work' scheme, with a view to rolling the opportunity out to all Helical Bar employees.