16.11.2017
Dubai, UAE, 15th November 2017: Summertown Interiors, the UAE’s leading fit out contractor specialising in green interiors, has released its 2016/2017 Sustainability Report.
Prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Summertown’s second Sustainability Report highlights sustainability milestones for the company, reports on the impact of key material issues, and provides a benchmark by which to measure future efforts.
The report outlines eight material issues identified through the analysis of environmental, social and ethical issues associated to the company and by reviewing stakeholders’ feedback. Of the eight material issues highlighted in the report, Summertown’s environmental performance has improved significantly with an 11% reduction in water consumption, a 15% reduction in our carbon emissions and 44% of waste was recycled or recovered since 2015/16.
Summertown continues to use the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED framework to measure and improve on its environmental performance. In 2009, the company was the first fit out contractor to occupy LEED Gold certified interiors in the UAE. In 2016, the company was awarded the LEED Gold certification for its existing building; operations and maintenance (LEED EBOM).
The company also uses the Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s CSR Label as a diagnostic framework to measure its sustainability progress. Over the past five years, Summertown has improved its CSR Label score from 65% to 84%, demonstrating continual improvement across the four key areas – Environmental, Workplace, Marketplace and Community.
In addition to improving its own environmental performance, Summertown supports its clients on their sustainability journeys. Approximately 64% of Summertown projects during the 2016/2017 reporting period satisfied regional sustainability criteria or were awarded LEED certification. Among those projects in 2017 was the interior fit out of the Smart Dubai Office, which is due to achieve LEED Gold certification.
Investing in the health and wellbeing of its employees is a key element of Summertown’s sustainability strategy. The latest Sustainability Report includes the results of an employee survey to measure the impact of these activities. 76% of employees stated that workplace morale has improved by the company’s wellbeing and wellness strategy, and 83% said it has increased team spirit.
Marcos Bish, Managing Director of Summertown Interiors said: “At Summertown, we recognise that to be sustainable, we must continually listen to and understand what matters most to our employees, clients, suppliers and the communities affected by our operations. Sustainability is fundamental to our business strategy and we strive to embed sustainability into every aspect of our business.
“This report is our second sustainability report and highlights our continuing commitment to our own sustainability goals and our mission to help our clients achieve theirs; by creating inspiring workplaces to enhance employee health and happiness, and deliver operational savings.
I am proud of our progress and achievements against our eight key material issues and our commitment to align to the relevant priorities set out in the UAE Green Agenda 2030 which builds upon the UAE Vision 2021.”
The 2016/17 Sustainability Report can be downloaded from Summertown’s new website www.summertown.ae.
