A year of milestones on the path to Net Zero as the Charter turns one

The Sustainable City Charter has reached both its first anniversary and 50th signatory. Recent joiners include The Berkeley and Westminster Property Association members BEAM, The Church Commissioners of England and New West End Company. 

During the Charter's first year, we have:

• Held 5 events hosting over 200 people combined, including knowledge sharing webinars, our Innovating for Net Zero seminar at Landsec's 80 Victoria Street, a fascinating site tour of The Forge, and a showcase with Charter signatories at the Royal Opera House
• 51 companies have joined the network and we have received 75 expressions of interest
• Formed 2 dedicated committees to govern the Charter and steer both its work and direction (Steering Group and Technical Working Group); these comprise of 30 leading experts across policy, business and sustainability 
• 2 pieces of research are delivered and underway
• The Charter now represents over 28 million sq ft of commercial floorspace in the City. 

After a busy 2023, a Charter programme for 2024 is already in motion. A new, comprehensive Charter toolkit, underpinned by the support businesses need on their net zero journey, is underway. The first events of Q1 2024 are also locked in - find out how you can get involved in the newsletter below.

Wishing all of our signatories a very happy festive break and we look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Embodied carbon modelling report launched

This new guidance from UKGBC aims to improve the accuracy and transparency of modelling and assessments of carbon emissions generated by construction. Read more here. 

New guidance on sustainability owner-occupier engagement

In this recent industry paper Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) reveals that there are six key areas of improvement between property owners and occupiers to improve conversations around sustainability, including drivers, barriers and responsibility for delivering change. Read the report here. 

Signatories, JLL, L Saha and Landsec sign  Fossil to Clean letter

The letter, coordinated by We Mean Business Coalition and its partners through the Fossil to Clean campaign was issued at COP 28 urging national governments to address the primary cause of climate change: burning fossil fuels. The letter was signed by over 200+ companies signatures, representing over $1.5 trillion in global annual revenue. Find out more here. 

Share your insights on sustainability and heritage buildings

Westminster Property Association is organising a roundtable discussing how the built environment sector is tackling the decarbonisation of historic assets, building on its paper Zero Carbon Westminster: A Focus on Retrofit in Historic Buildings. If you would like to contribute to the discussion, share insight or join the roundtable email andrea.williams@cwpa.org.uk

In our latest signatory spotlight, Laboni Saha, Sustainable City Charter Steering Group member and Founder & Creative Director of L Saha (a luxury women's fashion label) gives her perspective on the Charter, why local commitments like this are important and what her business is doing to reduce its emissions in Westminster.

2024 West End Sustainability Showcase

We are offering free tickets for Charter signatories to join the 2024 West End Sustainability Showcase, held in partnership with Veolia, New West End Company and Westminster City Council.

In this exhibition-style event, businesses from various industries, NGOs and sustainability organisations will showcase best practice case studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a range of businesses on their respective sustainability journey. We have limited spaces available so please register with alice.dale@cwpa.org.uk.

Date: Friday 19 January 2024

Time:  8:30am - 10:30am

Where: The Langham London, 1C Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA

Sustainability workshops and networking in 2024

Charter signatories are invited to join Harley Street BID's series of sustainability workshops to take place in 2024.During this first session scheduled for January, signatories will hear from guest speakers including Davies and Partners Solicitors, Harley Street BID, Westminster City Council and the University of Westminster on how your business can decarbonise.

This session will feature several introductory talks covering strategy, legal considerations and broader sustainability challenges. This will be followed by a networking session with drinks - make sure to register in advance here. 

Date: Wednesday 24 January 2024

Time: 6pm - 8pm 

Where: University of Westminster Marylebone Campus, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS

Webinar presenting Better Buildings Partnership’s Green Lease Toolkit

In our first webinar of 2024 we will hear about the Better Buildings Partnership’s new initiative, the Green Lease Toolkit. This new scheme is designed to help landlords and occupiers collaborate in their commitment to decarbonise. More details will follow in the new year.

Date: Tuesday 20 February 2024

Time: 1pm - 2pm

Register online here

The Charter is a partnership between the business community and Westminster to ensure it becomes a Net Zero City by 2040. Please let us know if you can get involved, including:

• Hosting or sharing your insight and knowledge at an event or webinar
• Hosting a networking session for signatories to come together and exchange ideas
• Work with us to capture your experiences in a blog, video or other content
• Sharing your expertise with the Sustainable City Charter Technical working group
• Tell us what you want to hear more on

You can reach out to us with your ideas, feedback and how you want to get involved here.