ProLogis and the Environment

ProLogis’ business is at the heart of the environmental debate.  Buildings and transportation account for almost 75% of the world’s energy consumption and resulting carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. We recognise that CO₂ accounts for the greatest proportion of greenhouse gas production and that this is a major cause of global warming.  As a market leader, we must seek sustainable solutions for development.

ProLogis has always adopted Best Practice in construction, from use and disposal of materials, to relationships with our suppliers, stakeholders and customers.  When it comes to saving energy, we innovate and we seek tangible success.  At Sideway, Stoke-on-Trent, for instance, we will be testing a wide range of renewable and design features to provide verification of emerging technologies by third-party accreditation.  We are also seeking BREEAM Excellent awards on a number of pioneering warehouse designs.

The real surprise is that simple measures can achieve remarkable results.  By reducing building air leakage to less than 2.5m³/m²/hr, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by 15%.  When we increase roof lights to 15% and install simple light control systems, lighting emissions may be reduced by 23%.  Simple techniques - with no cost or pay-back periods as low as three years - contribute to create a new asset class of building popular with customers and investors alike.

Carbon Credits

The coming years will see the widest possible definition of sustainability, including measures such as “offsetting”.  ProLogis uses its strong relationship with suppliers to free up carbon at each stage of the manufacture and construction process.  As carbon–offsetting is implemented along the supply chain, we are able to “collect” and pass on efficiencies to our customers. 

And it helps to be global.  By investing in carbon-beneficial projects around the world, ProLogis is aiming beyond low-carbon status, or carbon-neutrality, to a negative carbon footprint for some of its developments.  In the USA, this means linking with the Chicago Climate Exchange, in London with the ECX and in Asia with local carbon markets.  If ProLogis creates carbon when constructing a shed in China, it can be worth almost four times as much when “imported” back into Europe.

The aim is to demonstrate that our operations have a net positive impact on the economy, environment and society.  ProLogis seeks continuous improvement in its designs and ways of working.  We will be striving towards sustainability for as long as we are in business.