BREEAM Outstanding rating for Derbion shopping centre

Derbion shopping centre in Derby, England, has become one of a few UK retail destinations to secure a BREEAM In-Use Outstanding rating in the management of an asset. 

“The BREEAM In-Use Certifications are one of the first steps on our journey to become Net Zero by 2030”, said Beth McDonald, Managing Director, Derbion. “We will work closely with our partners at Savills and Mearlag to identify new ways to make Derbion one of the most sustainability-friendly shopping centres in the UK, which will not only help our own ESG targets but also those of our occupiers and the wider Derby community.”

The BREEAM In-Use assessment is split into two parts which can be assessed in isolation or combined to achieve a rating and certificate. Part 1 assesses the performance of the asset’s-built form, construction, fixtures and installed services. Meanwhile, Part 2 concentrates on the management of the asset, including consumption, policies and targets. 

Working alongside Savills and specialist sustainability consultants Mearlag, the centre has secured an Outstanding certification for Part 2 (Management Performance) and an Excellent rating for Part 1 (Asset Performance). Derbion secured its highest scores in management, health and wellbeing, energy, resources and water use. 

These results have followed a series of carbon and energy reduction investments including the installation of LED lighting across the centre, the conversion of a gas-fired water heater to a heat pump, whilst also undertaking several operational changes to reduce energy use, such as negating the need for cooling in the summer by using the natural ventilation stacks of the centre mall area. 

These initiatives have resulted in a 30% saving in energy over two years of 1.4 million in Kilowatts of energy a year, the equivalent of having 4,300 domestic dishwashers on constantly for a year, or enough charge to drive a Tesla 208 times around the world.

The BREEAM In-Use certification comes as Derbion aims to become Net Zero by 2030 for its Scope 1 and 2 emissions from energy under its control. To help support this the centre is reviewing the installation of solar panels on its roof so it can generate its own electricity and working with Severn Trent and its occupiers to identify water saving opportunities.

“Derbion has become one of only a few retail destinations in the country to hold this certification,”, said Alex Markides, BREEAM In-Use Product Manager. “As more UK retail destinations strive to improve their sustainability credentials, we hope Derbion’s achievement will act as a driver and example for others pushing to achieve this milestone.”