In July 2021, Graham + Sibbald’s welcomed Tom Meney and Pamela Mathieson to lead their new Carbon + Sustainability department, offering a wide range of energy efficiency, environmental and compliance services aiming to help both new and existing clients manage and adapt to climate change risk and thrive in an upcoming ‘Net Zero’ economy.
With this week being Scottish Climate Week, we thought it best to showcase not only how our Carbon + Sustainability team can work with clients to meet their sustainability needs and goals, but all of our other teams working in tandem.
The Graham + Sibbald Carbon + Sustainability department features a number of existing Graham + Sibbald team members from across a variety of key services, including Petroleum + Roadside, Architectural, Building Surveying, Planning and Asset Services, all feeding in to provide a high-quality service offering that stands out from our competitors.
Our specialist roadside services department offers focused advice on all aspects of roadside property and business management. We can advise on new business opportunities such as new retail options and the installation of renewable energy services such as electric vehicle charging points. With the need for a network of charging and rapid charging points across all UK cities and towns, there is demand across the country to secure suitable sites for development.
On the Architectural side, our teams have widespread experience in both new build developments and in the refurbishment of all types of property. They provide a full range of design and related support services and will ensure that your project goes without a hitch and is delivered within budget. Their experience, along with Project Management, compliments our energy efficiency efforts, enabling us to deliver services from survey and opportunity assessment through design, installation and commissioning. We can prepare full feasibility studies and budget costings for all types of new development and refurbishment projects. We can also provide technical assessments in support of planning applications, including Environmental Impact Assessments and Socio-Economic Assessments.
Our building surveying team can prepare a Schedule of Condition for clients taking on new leases. This helps protect their interests by reducing any potential dilapidations claims at lease expiry. We can also act for either landlords or tenants in relation to dilapidations. We have significant experience dealing with all aspects of negotiations, including appointing sub-consultants to undertake the environmental analysis of sites.
Additionally, Our building surveyors are experienced at identifying effective ways for landlords to make their properties more energy efficient. Our surveyors can also highlight potential renewable energy options for single buildings or whole developments. We also provide building consultancy, Project Management and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).
Our Carbon + Sustainability team and our EPC Assessors work together to provide bespoke recommendations on energy efficiency and renewable measures which can be shown to improve EPC Ratings. This is particularly important in the Non Domestic Private Rented Sector in England and Wales with the arrival of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Scheme regulations. These services all add value and will give you the peace of mind that everything is being taken care of to the highest standard.
Delivering sustainable development is at the forefront of the planning system and our in-house Planning & Development Team proactively guide our clients through the planning process. They can advise on site selection and feasibility, through to the preparation of planning applications and associated supporting assessments such as Environmental Impact Assessments, Planning Supporting Statements and Socio-Economic Assessments. Our Planning + Development Team work with the wider Carbon + Sustainability Team to incorporate zero and low carbon technologies as part of development proposals. This includes the preparation of Zero and Low Carbon Statements and Sustainability Statements/Checklists to accompany application submissions.
The Carbon + Sustainability Team work together to deliver sustainable developments and renewable proposals such as regeneration of brownfield sites, re-use of existing buildings, re-purposing Listed Buildings, delivery of electric vehicle charging hubs, battery storage developments, solar installations and more.
If you are looking for an effective Asset Services team that will take care of the fundamentals, minimise your costs and boost your asset’s value, our team will deliver. We manage a wide variety of commercial properties on behalf of our clients and consistently look for opportunities to upgrade and enhance our clients’ asset. Our aim is always to reduce running costs and future maintenance and repair bills, while maximising letting and re-sale values.
Our Asset Services team work closely with our Carbon + Sustainability team to ensure that client assets are compliant with new and future energy legislation, are energy efficient and continue appeal to owners and occupiers alike.
In 2019, the UK Government agreed to legally binding international targets to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, a target which needs significant and sustained action to be achieved.
Graham + Sibbald are well placed to help our clients work towards their energy and sustainability goals. From planning and technical services advice to analysis of your carbon emissions and usage, we will work with you to determine realistic and cost-effective solutions.
Graham + Sibbald has over 250 employees and 23 partners working across its 20 UK offices in Scotland and England.
