Viewed over a 50 year period, some 80% of a property’s environmental impact occurs during operation, management and maintenance.
The single largest factor is electricity consumption, which causes some 40 per cent of the environmental impact during the life cycle of a building. Sponda works with clients to develop and implement solutions that enable clients to meet their own environmental responsibility. Energy recovery and district cooling systems are some examples of these. Sponda keeps its clients informed, for example about ways to reduce energy consumption.
The energy efficiency scheme extends
The goal of Sponda’s energy efficiency scheme, launched in 2009, is to work together with customers to reduce the energy consumption of properties. The scheme’s objective is to identify potential areas for saving energy in collaboration with the users of properties.
At the beginning of the energy efficiency scheme, an energy review is carried out at the properties, to find out the energy consumption of each property and to examine the different technical systems relating to energy usage. Energy efficiency goals and measures for achieving them are set individually for each property based on the results of the energy review. The impact of the measures and how well targets are being met are monitored in regular meetings with customers. The costs saved through the scheme will be re-invested in the property.
The energy efficiency scheme began in ten properties of different ages and types. In 2010, the scheme was extended so that by the end of the year, altogether 84 Sponda-owned properties were at different phases of the scheme. In 2011, the energy efficiency scheme will be continued for the properties included either by mapping the situation, carrying out measures or monitoring consumption according to the action plan defined for the property in question.
Development of indicators and reporting of environmental impacts
Ovenia Oy is the operational partner for the properties participating the energy efficiency scheme and is responsible for the collection and monitoring of the environmental indicators for the properties. In 2010 , the carbon footprint resulting from energy consumption in all Sponda’s properties was 60,048 tonnes of CO2, 5 per cent less than in the previous year.
The users of a property are responsible for sorting waste appropriately, while the property owner and its subcontractors handle the transportation and further processing of waste. Sponda handles waste management in the properties it owns, with the exception of partially owned properties and those leased cold. The total amount of waste in 2010 was 4,611 tonnes, of which 45 per cent was mixed waste. The company aims to reduce the share of mixed waste by improving waste sorting.