15.05.2019
TUW Middle East partner, Summertown Interiors, launches ‘JOURNEY2030’ – three new sustainability goals that underpin their sustainability strategy and align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UAE’s sustainability agendas that are impacted by its business.
JOURNEY2030 underpins Summertown’s mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of the business and consists of three 2030 goals:
1. DELIVER 100% SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
100% OF SUMMERTOWN PROJECTS TO MEET EXTERNALLY ACCREDITED GREEN/SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS BY 2030.
By ensuring all Summertown projects meet externally accredited green and sustainability standards by 2030, the contractor is doing its part to make the cities of the UAE resilient and sustainable (SDG 11). According to Summertown, more sustainable workplaces are a means to combating climate change and stemming its impact (SDG 13).
2. ZERO WASTE
ZERO WASTE TO LANDFILL FROM SUMMERTOWN OFFICES AND SUMMERTOWN PROJECTS BY 2030
In line with SDG 12 for sustainable consumption and production, Summertown aims to reduce waste to landfill from its offices and projects by 50% in 2025 and achieve zero waste by 2030. This will be accomplished by using the prevention, reduce, reuse and recycle hierarchy. Locally, this particular goal is working towards achieving the UAE Vision 2021 target to divert waste from landfills by 75%. It also aims to support the ‘national waste-to-resource program’ outlined in the UAE 2030 Green Agenda.
3. IMPROVE WORKPLACE HAPPINESS & WELL-BEING
CONTINOUSLY STRIVE TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Summertown wants UAE businesses to continuously strive to be great places to work, and the company itself aims to be one of the happiest workplaces in the fit out industry by 2030. Its goal to create inspiring workplaces which provide measurable employee health and happiness, is directly aligned with SDG 8. It will also support the UAE’s efforts to be ranked among the top five happiest countries in the world on the Happiness Index by 2021.
A key element under the goal to 'deliver 100% sustainable projects’ is their new offer to all their United Arab Emirates (UAE) based clients free Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for projects over 2,000 sqm; and free ECO-Sustainable Summertown Interior Certification (ECO-SSI) for projects under 2,000 sqm.
Free LEED certification for projects over 2,000 sqm:
For all interior projects over 2,000 sqm, Summertown will offer clients LEED certified level certification free of cost, with the option of silver, gold or platinum level certification at a surcharge. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system, and a global framework for creating efficient and healthy green interiors and buildings. Summertown will also assist clients seeking certification under the WELL Building Standard and other external sustainability accreditations if requested.
Free ECO-SSI certification for projects under 2,000 sqm:
To further solidify its position as a leading sustainable fit-out contractor in the UAE, Summertown has introduced its own new ‘green standard’, ECO-SSI. The certification will be offered free of cost to all client projects under 2,000 sqm and is based on six criteria, comparable to the global LEED principles: procurement, health and safety, process, waste, energy and water efficiency and innovation. These criteria act as a framework to create sustainable, healthy workplaces that enhance employee happiness and productivity.
Marcos Bish, Managing Director at Summertown Interiors commented: “We have worked hard over the last 10 years to embed sustainability into every aspect of our business and provide green workplace solutions. Under our JOURNEY2030 sustainability goals we are proud that we can now offer all our clients either our own green standard known as ECO-SSI or free LEED certified level certification. In doing so, we hope to increase the number of sustainable commercial projects in the UAE and deliver workplaces that enhance employee health and happiness, are environmentally friendly and result in operational savings.”
Summertown was the first in its industry in the UAE to achieve LEED Gold certification for its interiors, and in 2016, the company achieved another first – LEED Gold certification for its existing building, operations and maintenance (LEED EBOM). As a company that walks the talk, Summertown has executed numerous LEED certified interior projects in the last 10 years and clients, partners and the business community in general look to them for advice and knowledge when it comes to integrating sustainability into their business operations.
