In 2008, BRE adopted an innovative approach to address sustainability within the organisation. The company’s sustainability strategy - the ‘S Plan’ - set out a four-year programme of continuous improvement across eight key areas of sustainability: carbon dioxide emissions; resource efficiency; supply chain engagement; transport; community engagement; ecology; water; and information systems.

This Information Paper provides an overview of the S Plan and identifies the key success factors and lessons learned in implementing it. Insight into BRE’s sustainability strategy will help other organisations to develop their own programmes and to understand the key factors necessary for success. It is aimed at company environmental/sustainability managers across all sectors who are responsible for overseeing and reporting on environmental and sustainability activities within their organisations.

Introduction

Establishing the S Plan

- Taking a longer-term view of sustainability: creating the vision

- Championing the cause

- Gaining board-level and senior management buy-in

- Defining sustainability in the workplace

- Embedding the strategy within the business

Setting sustainability targets

- Being SMART

- Ownership and delivery

- Be bold and you will achieve