Canary Wharf Group sets out 2030 vision to realise a more sustainable future

As Canary Wharf Group marks its 30-year anniversary, it today sets out a clearly defined strategy with a 2030 vision for its sustainable evolution.

In a new report published today, ‘Making Sustainability Real’, Canary Wharf Group unveils an ambitious plan to ensure sustainability continues to be at its heart. The new strategy is formed around four pillars:

  1. Evolve: Placemaking has always been central to Canary Wharf Group’s vision and the Group is focused on creating intelligent, versatile and connected places of the future where people enjoy living, working and relaxing.
  2. Include: Since 1987 the Group has sought to create not just a new city district, but a community, and today it remains focused on ensuring that the area – and everyone around it – thrives both socially and economically.
  3. Pioneer: Canary Wharf has always been a centre for innovation and regeneration, at the forefront of economic and technological change. Today, it is home to some of the UK’s leading technology companies, helping to facilitate collaboration and innovation.
  4. Optimise: Canary Wharf’s unique operating model, combined with its close relationships with tenants and suppliers, means that from design to completion and ongoing management, it can create zero-carbon, zero-waste spaces.

The report also highlights the great progress Canary Wharf Group has made since it took on the challenge of transforming the former East London docklands into one of the most important and vibrant financial centres in the world, including generating £1.59bn for local small, medium and micro enterprises, over the past 30 years and achieving five consecutive years of powering the entire Estate’s electricity from renewable sources.

Highlights for 2017 include:

  • £1.59bn of business generated for local SMMEs since 1997
  • 41% of Group spending was on local companies in 2017
  • £17.5 million total investment in community engagement projects since 2009
  • 100% of CWG electricity (450 million kwh) from renewable sources since 2012
  • 10.7% reduction in energy use since 2016
  • 450,000 coffee cups recycled in 2017

The Group’s relentless focus on sustainability is set to become even more important as the Estate sees its population grow from 120,000 today to more than 200,000 over the next five to ten years as new developments create more jobs and the first residents move in.

Commenting on the new report, Sir George Iacobescu CBE, Chief Executive and Chairman of Canary Wharf Group, said:

“In an uncertain world that faces substantial economic, environmental, social and political challenges, our vision is to create inspiring, resilient and successful places that embed sustainability into every aspect and have a positive impact on our community, and the world. We are proud of what we have achieved over the last 30 years but we have a long way to go. We are tremendously excited for the next stage of our evolution.”

The independently assured report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards: Core Option.