Responsibility in the environment
Environmental innovation is a guiding principle for Peel and as part of our commitment to low carbon growth Peel continues to investigate new opportunities and technologies to realise this vision.
For example the Peel Group has a strong commitment to renewable energy and we continue to seek opportunities to contribute to the Government’s renewable energy targets, examples include,
• Wind Power -Peel has an established track record in developing wind farms. Our first wind farm became operational in 1999 and our most recent opened in February 2009. Our wind farms produce enough energy to power over 45,000 homes.
• Biomass - Having commissioned a study to develop a series of Biomass crops capable of producing around 100MW of energy from a sustainable source, we are now progressing to planting crops on Peel land and this exciting trial should soon be under way.
• Refuse Derived Fuel - The proposed Ince Resource Recovery Park is an exemplar of sustainable development providing energy from waste. Additionally the facility benefits from multi-modal access by rail, water and road the proposals include large areas of ecological mitigation, landscape enhancement and a visitor and business centre.
• Tidal Power - Working in partnership with the North West Regional Development Agency we have been investigating the possibility of using the River Mersey for Tidal Power. We are currently undertaking more detailed work to bring forward a preferred design option which will take into account possible locations, likely power generation and the wider environmental implications.
...............................................................................................................................................................
“Peel are at the leading edge of work on renewable energy in our region and nationally”
Walter Menzies CEO
Mersey Basin Campaign
...............................................................................................................................................................
Internally a Sustainability Steering Group facilitates the exchange of best practice within the Group and helps establish joint approaches to Group wide issues such as the Governments Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC). Examples of internal activity include,
• The Trafford Centre introducing a trial with a local recycling plant which reduces the amount of waste previously sent to landfill by up to 95%.
• Liverpool John Lennon Airport establishing two wind turbines on a pilot basis, the first UK Airport to do so.
• Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield implementing rainwater harvesting
• Increasing use of the Manchester Ship Canal for the movement of materials for MediaCityUK, reducing road miles and subsequent carbon emissions
...............................................................................................................................................................
“MediaCityUK is the region’s most exciting development for the digital and creative industries, it will be supported by an effective, reliable transport infrastructure that protects the environment and helps control carbon emissions”
Low Carbon Economy Report – Nov 08
...............................................................................................................................................................
The Carbon Management Group which reports into the Sustainability Steering Group operates an ‘Opportunities Database’ which captures new ideas, ways of working, and product innovations that may assist in reducing the Group’s carbon emissions. Opportunities are assessed against a series of criteria prior to potential implementation.