Scentre Group owns, develops, designs, constructs, operates and manages a significant portfolio of shopping centres and commercial assets. This breadth of functions means that our environmental impacts and considerations span the complete asset lifecycle – from concept design and construction, through to ongoing operations and management. Our electricity usage is the most important contributor to our total greenhouse gas emissions, therefore our efforts are focussing on improving energy efficiency. Purchased energy is the single largest source of emissions for Scentre Group, representing 94% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Nearly 65% of all energy used in our centres is used for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC).
Our engagement with stakeholders:
We engage with our key contractors providing HVAC and building management systems to deliver energy efficiency. We engage with authorities annually though mandatory disclosure obligations and the provision of reports on energy and emissions performance.
Our management approach:
Objective: Reduce the energy intensity of our portfolio.
Management: We have an appointed electricity committee to assist the Executive in making decisions around the procurement of electricity and the fulfilment of our obligations as a large energy user. Our Engineering team is driving the National Energy Efficiency Framework, a strategy to increase energy efficiency in our operating assets and benchmarking of operating assets on energy and water efficiency through the NABERS scheme. The National Facilities team is responsible for operating procedures in relation to energy efficiency. The team assists our facilities managers at centres with the implementation of our energy efficiency technology and monitoring of electricity performance. The National Facilities team monitors and reports electricity performance and provides monthly reports to senior management. Our facilities managers engage with HVAC and BMS contractors to ensure the assets meet electricity targets.
Measurement: We measure energy (electricity and gas) usage and intensity. We also use benchmarking ratings such as NABERS and measure assets performance over time through energy audits.
Our 2016 results:
Assessed energy performance of assets through NABERS Energy ratings
Identified energy efficiency opportunities by implementing our energy audit program
Trialled emerging technology and invested in energy efficiency projects to deliver energy usage savings
Our future programs and initiatives:
Develop strategies and procedures to operate plant and equipment at optimum capacity
Continue to manage energy usage through energy efficiency projects
Influence retailers to adopt energy efficiency measures
