Green Team 

Since late 2008 the Green Team has been advancing the Company’s green agenda with the ultimate aim of establishing Savills as the first carbon neutral property firm.

Data Collection

Phase I was about data collection and during this period the team calculated the carbon footprint of our Molesworth Street head office and discovered that 56% was created by business travel and 44% was on-site carbon generation.

Savills was selected as a partner by the Dublin Transport Office (DTO) and was awarded a premium sustainable transport package worth €5000 to advance the project further.  In January 2009 the Green Team with help from the DTO conducted a work place travel survey.  The Green Team also arranged for an energy saving survey for our head office in Molesworth Street.   The results have been collected and analysed and this data is being used to guide the direction of the project with numerous initiatives, such as removal of waste bins, being introduced.

In 2009 Savills became the first company to sign up to the Cycle To Work Scheme and we received great publicity meeting Minister John Gormley for a photo shoot as a result.   In addition, the Cycle To Work Scheme helped strengthen links with some of our clients.

Raising Awareness

Despite all this good work the Green Team were conscious that in order to effect change it is critical to raise awareness of how our everyday behaviour has such a huge impact on our carbon footprint. 

So in early 2009 the Green Team launched an internal PR campaign.  Posters, emails and other such “soft measures” were used to promote the green agenda which culminated in Savills fully participating in Earth Hour 2009.

Internal Consumption

The next phase was about action and in spring 2009 the Green Team began to tackle the issue of consumption in the office.

The team successfully launched its pilot bin-less office scheme in the property management department and this has been rolled out across all offices.  This has reduced our waste production and waste bill by 60%.

In September 2009 Savills took part in the One Small Step Pedometer challenge.  We had 12 teams of 6 competing with our highest placing team finishing 44^th out of 669.

Even though a lot has been achieved to date the Green Team know they have probably only scratched the surface.  This project will continue to move forward and throughout 2010 Savills employees will continue to see real change happening right before their eyes.  Eventually, we will reach our final destination.....