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12 months to transition to ISO 14001:2015 – A Systems Approach

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Last week, our Director, Paul Sutcliffe, blogged on the transition to ISO14001:2015. Paul’s blog highlighted the main changes and opportunities associated with the new standard.

As a follow-up, I provide below, a deeper delve into the new standard requirements. It’s now just a year to go until the transitional deadline on 15th September 2018, at which point certificates for the 2004 standard will no longer be valid. Is it time to hit the panic button? Certainly not, but now’s the time to take action, especially since the deadline for many will likely be much sooner.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Is it time to hit the panic button? Certainly not, but now’s the time to take action #ISO14001″ quote=”Is it time to hit the panic button? Certainly not, but now’s the time to take action, especially since the deadline for many will likely be much sooner.”]

Prioritisation is crucial – focus on integration

At this stage, prioritisation is crucial. Focus first on any changes to existing organisational processes; get this ball rolling from the outset. The key to be able to best demonstrate many of the new requirements is integration. In my experience, as both a consultant and an external lead auditor, integration of environmental management controls with existing business practices always proves to be the biggest hurdle but once achieved, the full benefits of the environmental management system (EMS) are realised.

As such, section 5.0 of the new standard – Leadership – is where initial efforts should be focused, particularly as this may involve changes to company processes which can often take time to embed. A conversation needs to be had with senior management to emphasise that they are not necessarily expected to do more, but they are expected to know more. This is best achieved through the incorporation of EMS requirements into existing business processes. For example, the introduction of environmental performance progress updates into management meeting agendas. Complying with the other requirements (known as clauses in the standard) will be made significantly easier with this approach. Clauses such as 7.0 Support, 9.0 Performance Evaluation and 10.0 Improvement heavily rely on management and so it’s important these areas are targeted in the first instance.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Focus first on any changes to existing organisational processes; get this ball rolling from the outset” quote=”Focus first on any changes to existing organisational processes; get this ball rolling from the outset”]

Prevent scope confusion – concentrate on context

Next, concentrate on the clauses where there is less of an impact on embedded company procedures, such as 4.0 Context. This clause does certainly require some thought and its importance is often overlooked. If applied correctly, it ensures continuity, clear boundaries and a sense of direction, preventing scope confusion and making everyone’s life, especially the auditor’s, much easier. Providing the previously discussed clauses have been addressed appropriately, the final two clauses left to mention, 8.0 Operation and 6.0 Planning, should be relatively straightforward to comply with. Of course, the industry type certainly makes a difference to the level of work required, particularly with the new ‘life cycle’ requirement under Operation. The ‘life cycle perspective’ sounds a lot more resource intensive than it needs to be, especially for office based companies. Remember, auditors are still finding their feet with the new requirements and will often be satisfied with evidence that this has at least been thought about, seismic changes to the company’s procurement policies are not going to be expected!

[clickToTweet tweet=”If applied correctly, it ensures continuity, clear boundaries and a sense of direction, preventing scope confusion” quote=”If applied correctly, it ensures continuity, clear boundaries and a sense of direction, preventing scope confusion”]

Practical solutions for tight deadlines

This blog is designed to provide more information on transition planning. EVORA are well versed and experienced in the transitioning process, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Of course, it should also be mentioned that certification is not always necessary and many of our clients operate environmental management systems aligned (but not certified) to ISO 14001.  Regardless of certification status, the new ISO 14001 standard is a tool that if implemented correctly, provides a robust and effective framework that operates throughout the business, not alongside it. As a result, those with aligned systems should also consider changes introduced by the new standard, that will help deliver benefits.

[clickToTweet tweet=”ISO 14001 is a tool that if implemented correctly, provides a robust and effective framework ” quote=”Regardless of certification status, the new ISO 14001 standard is a tool that if implemented correctly, provides a robust and effective framework”]

For more information on updating your EMS to ISO 14001:2015, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

EVORA Partners With Qube Global Software – A Leading Provider of Property and Facilities Management Software

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We are delighted to announce that we have partnered with Qube Global Software through its expanding Connect Partner Programme, further supporting Qube’s goal of showcasing best of breed technology and services to its customers.

EVORA Partners With Qube Global Software

With an ever-increasing emphasis being placed on environmentally-efficient buildings, our expert services have been adopted by some of the UK’s largest investment companies to ensure their portfolios meet strict and often complex regulatory requirements, while optimising the performance of their buildings.

Through a holistic approach, we deliver end-to-end sustainability solutions for property managers and owners that are tailored to their specific needs, developed for the real estate sector.

[clickToTweet tweet=”@evoraglobal Partners With @QubeGlobal Software – A Leading Provider of #Property and #FacMan #Software” quote=”EVORA Partners With Qube Global Software – A Leading Provider of Property and Facilities Management Software”]

Paul Manning, Executive Sales Director at Qube Global Software, says:

“Qube’s comprehensive suite of tailored property management functions is used by more than 1000 organisations, and consistently helps clients to deliver increased return on investment and portfolio growth.

Additionally, our real estate investment software is proven to help users manage properties anytime, anywhere by providing a panoramic view of their assets. EVORA offers the same excellent service for sustainability and energy management, and is a perfect complement to our existing solutions.”

[clickToTweet tweet=”‘@evoraglobal offers excellent #sustainability and #energymanagement services’ Paul Manning of @qubeglobal” quote=”EVORA offers excellent sustainability and energy management services, and is a perfect complement to Qube’s existing solutions.”]

To support our experienced consultancy, we offer both a highly-polished sustainability management software solution, SIERA, as well as technical engineering services through our specialist division, EVORA EDGE. Combined, we can provide unrivalled end-to-end real estate sustainability solutions, delivering strategic goals that achieve optimal performance of buildings.

SIERA is an innovative and easy-to-use environmental management software, which is leading the way in the real estate sector. SIERA combines powerful data acquisition capabilities with sophisticated data analysis tools, simplifying the complexities of regulatory and voluntary reporting. In addition, SIERA’s ground-breaking energy Monitoring & Targeting (M&T) module automatically alerts you of energy efficiency opportunities in buildings, enabling savings to be quickly achieved.

Chris Bennett, Managing Director at EVORA, says:

“By understanding and addressing clients’ risks, then realising the opportunities, we are able to offer practical and easy-to-understand strategic advice combined with intelligent tools capable of putting it into practice. We look forward to working with Qube users in this way, and to exploring the many potential benefits of this exciting new relationship.”

[clickToTweet tweet=”@evoraglobal offers practical strategic advice combined with intelligent tools capable of putting it into practice.” quote=”‘We offer practical and easy-to-understand strategic advice combined with intelligent tools capable of putting it into practice.’ Chris Bennett of EVORA”]

To find out more about effective sustainability management, you may wish to attend a joint Qube-EVORA webinar that will run on Wednesday, 11th October.

Those who attend the Qube World event on 31st October will also have the chance to learn about our solutions, as we are the Platinum Sponsor.

ISO 14001:2015 – Transition Planning Should Not Be A Headache

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If you operate an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) – certified to the 2004 issue of the standard, then you have 1 year left to transition to the revised 2015 version.

ISO 14001:2015 The Changes

ISO 14001:2015 has changed significantly (when compared to its predecessor) and has also introduced a number of entirely new requirements. Overall, there has also been a change in emphasis.

A key theme of ISO 14001:2015 is leadership and commitment to ensuring that environmental considerations are part of the strategic decision making process.

Environmental management must be part of everyday business activities – it cannot be viewed as an independent exercise. Whereas previously, top management could essentially delegate the EMS, there is now increased emphasis (and specific requirements) setting out the need for senior management involvement. Additionally, the EMS will need to consider potential impacts of the environment to determine internal and external risks and opportunities.

Other new requirements focus upon life-cycle analysis of operational aspects and the need to define performance indicators.

The Good News

We have seen a fair bit of scaremongering about the changes needed.  In my experience, external assessors all state that it’s a lot of work.  However, whilst there is a fair bit to think about, it can be managed in a straightforward and efficient way.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Don’t panic! The transition to ISO 14001:2015 can be managed in a straightforward and efficient way.” quote=”Don’t panic! The transition to ISO 14001:2015 can be managed in a straightforward and efficient way.”]

To date, we have helped numerous clients transition to the new standard, with limited fuss.  Effective environmental management systems are a force for good. For those organisations participating in GRESB, see my colleague and fellow director Ed Gabbitas’ blog on the benefits of an EMS for more information on this matter.

However, all too often, companies get bogged down in detail and procedure.  Updating your EMS to meet ISO 14001:2015 requirements presents the ideal opportunity to take stock and review how your approaches can be enhance to help deliver continual improvement.

For more information on updating your EMS to ISO 14001:2015, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

GRESB Results 2017: How SIERA Delivered Immense Efficiencies

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The GRESB Results 2017 are out and the EVORA team is eagerly reviewing the scorecards and reports to see how our participating clients fared. Early indications are that the news is generally excellent. EVORA will have a presence at the results event in London next week, so we look forward to joining the other attendees to get GRESB’s view on the overall direction of travel.

Visit our GRESB support service page.

As one of the members of EVORA’s GRESB delivery team, I’ve been reflecting on the journey we took over the summer months to get to this point.

From a numbers perspective, it’s interesting to me that the effort to collate, validate and aggregate many and often disparate data points gets distilled down to a handful of scores across the main GRESB Aspects. The process of data gathering is a necessary function and can take a lot of time, but it’s important that participants and their delivery partners allow for time to understand the materiality of the data in each of the Aspects in relation to their business strategies. However, this is easier said than done when delivery times can often get compressed near the submission deadline. So it’s even more important that there are tools that drive efficiency in the data gathering and validation process so that we can take a step back from the detail to understand what the data is showing us.

[clickToTweet tweet=”@GRESB #data gathering can take a huge amount of time. The good news is that much of it can be automated with #SIERA.” quote=”GRESB data gathering can take a huge amount of time. The good news is that much of it can be automated.”]

For us as a delivery team, our system SIERA was vital in being able to provide the efficiencies we needed to be able to manage the sheer quantum of data that we were handling. The number of GRESB submissions that we were directly involved with delivering increased from last year by 57% to 36 in 2017. As many will appreciate, the sharp end of the data processing often relates to asset level data as this is more granular, so usually more assets means more data. To put this into context, in these direct submissions, we saw an 84% increase to just shy of 1000 assets collectively that without SIERA we would likely have found far more time consuming to manage.

New to SIERA? This video explains the software in less than 2 minutes.

SIERA is one of the systems that is helping with the shift away from manual entry to more automated transfer of data to the GRESB portal. Our Managing Director, Chris Bennett, wrote previously on how a more seamless transfer of data is welcome but it’s important we have visual clarity of the data being submitted. I’d like to explain a little more how SIERA helped provide both visual clarity but also massive efficiencies.

First of all, we had replicated GRESB’s Asset Level interface in SIERA so we could automate the transfer of not just the Performance Indicators but also a key set of qualitative asset level question responses and building characteristics. This meant that when we were happy with the data we could simply upload the SIERA template directly into the GRESB Portal and populate the Portfolio data, thus entirely removing the need to manually enter data into the GRESB Asset Spreadsheet.

This integration is only possible because SIERA’s database structure is fully aligned to GRESB’s data requirements. Even GHG calculations and waste volumes by disposal route are automatically calculated, which further reduces the chance of human error.

[clickToTweet tweet=”EVORA’s @sierasoftware significantly reduces the risks of human error when it comes to @GRESB’s #data requirements.” quote=”SIERA software significantly reduces the risks of human error when it comes to GRESB’s data requirements.”]

In 2017 we took SIERA beyond the Asset level interface to drive further efficiencies by automatically calculating the responses to a number of percentage coverage-related questions. Again, this was only possible due to SIERA’s ability to hold broad range of data types. For example, SIERA can store and profile EPC data for any EU region which meant that SIERA could automate the response to Q31, saving vast amounts of time using what would otherwise likely be spreadsheets. SIERA also replicated question RC 5.1 utilising the property characteristic information SIERA holds, which helped to align responses to the Performance Indicators.

The examples that I have highlighted in this post demonstrate how SIERA helped to save countless hours of data input which we typically estimated to be around a 70% time saving. EVORA is continuing to expand the question responses SIERA can auto-calculate and survey Aspects that can be more efficiently answered, so we look forward to being able to support on even more GRESB submissions in 2018.

Questions? Come and meet us at the GRESB Results 2017 Launch event in London on 13th September. To book a demonstration of SIERA, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

GRESB Premier PartnerAs a GRESB Real Estate Premier Partner, we are perfectly positioned to provide GRESB support. View our official Premier Partner profile.

We can work with you to complete the submission and understand your scoring, as well as develop a sustainability plan that will improve your future GRESB performance and align with your organisation’s key environmental objectives.

2017 GRESB Results: Future developments for enhanced portfolio sustainability performance

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I, like many others, will be excited to receive the 2017 GRESB results when they are released tomorrow, 6th September. The rating approach, often simplified by how many Green Stars have been achieved, veils the trials, tribulations and efforts undertaken over the past year (or longer in many cases) to prepare for and complete the survey.

Visit our GRESB support service page.

Whilst I eagerly await gratifying news on how our clients fared for their past efforts, I am certainly more enthusiastic about collaborating on future programmes that will deliver value to their portfolios through making buildings productive, profitable and resilient to change.

In a previous blog, I introduced how the framework of an Environmental Management System (EMS) structured according to ISO’s Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology, is central to implementing successful real estate sustainability strategies that also result in better than peer average GRESB results.

In this blog, I introduce how insights into future developments of the GRESB survey will also provide that same win-win result of enhanced portfolio sustainability performance and GRESB ratings.

The Performance Indicator – a three-layer approach

The Performance Indicator (PI) ‘aspect’ is one of seven aspects in the GRESB survey. It holds joint top weighting, at 25%, with the Stakeholder Engagement aspect. Arguably, it is the Performance Indicator aspect that can best portray (to investors) how portfolios are performing and, importantly, contributing towards meeting the ambitious international targets set in the Paris Agreement. The PI aspect allows participants to set out their long-term sustainability targets together with quantitative disclosures on data coverage, like-for-like change and intensity values (KPIs) for energy, water, waste and carbon impacts.

A concern, however, is that the current approach does not provide investors with sufficient comparability of portfolio performance. This concern is underpinned by the fact that the current GRESB scoring approach rewards data coverage more highly than like-for-like change (concerning only year-on-year change, which certainly has limitations), but moreover, that no points are awarded for long-term changes to portfolio intensity values, such as kilowatt hours per metre square of lettable space. Only the methodology used to calculate intensities is scored, rather than the change in intensity values over time. The reason for this is likely due to a lack of data transparency and potential accuracy issues that stem from portfolio level, rather than asset level, reporting.

[clickToTweet tweet=”GRESB is willing to introduce an additional scoring element for accurate asset level data.” quote=”Current discussions indicate that GRESB is willing to introduce an additional scoring element for participants that can disclosure transparent and accurate asset level data.”]

GRESB recognises these issues and has set out to address them through a series of benchmarking committees, which EVORA participants in. Current discussions indicate that GRESB is willing to introduce an additional scoring element for participants that can disclose transparent and accurate asset level data. I expect GRESB to introduce their three-layer approach to Performance Indicator scoring in the 2018 or 2019 survey. This approach is set out below:

  1. All assets are evaluated on Transparency, based on data availability
  2. Only assets with high transparency levels can be evaluated on data Quality, given the external forms of data assurance or internal capabilities of data analysis (asset level data checks)
  3. Only assets with high data quality can be evaluated on Performance, most likely driven by like-for-like and intensities values.

Enhanced scoring methodology

GRESB is seeking to enhance its scoring methodology with the objective that only assets with high quality data are benchmarked to ensure fairness. This strategic change may assist in providing investors with more certainty on sustainability performance and comparability between portfolios.

[clickToTweet tweet=”GRESB is seeking to enhance scoring methodology with objective that assets with high quality data are benchmarked” quote=”GRESB is seeking to enhance their scoring methodology with the objective that only assets with high quality data are benchmarked to ensure fairness”]

Requesting asset level data will undoubtedly increase the reporting burden for a number of participants – most notably those who painstakingly enter portfolio level data directly into the portal.

Data can already be submitted at the asset level, either via an API link or the Asset Level Interface. However, this function is not used by all participants and furthermore, if you do not have the benefit of a sustainability software platform, such as SIERA  (which seamlessly updates the PI sections using the Asset Level Interface), then data collection and analysis will remain a manual, laborious task.

So why bother?

As mentioned above, the reward of additional points will be a sufficient driver for many. However, GRESB aside, let’s not forget that to make any notable impact on the performance of a portfolio, it is essential to have asset level data (or preferably meter level data) available in a format that can be easily accessed, interpreted and communicated to Asset and Property Management Teams in order to effectively manage sustainability impacts across a portfolio.

For more information on using data management systems to enhance portfolio performance see here.

Whilst some may see this change as GRESB introducing additional challenges and reporting burdens, I applaud their ambition in seeking to drive change in the real estate industry through promoting the availability and disclosure of investment grade asset-level data.

I applaud their ambition in seeking to drive change in the real estate industry through promoting the availability and disclosure of investment grade asset-level data.

It is important to reiterate that reporting asset, or even meter level data, doesn’t have to be a burden. Many participants, including all our clients benefitted from using the direct interface provided by SIERA to seamlessly update the required field in the Performance Indicator section and additionally, to review opportunities to make their buildings productive, profitable and resilient to change.

What’s next?  Plan-Do-Check-Act

Reverting to the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology, I recommend that Fund, Asset and/or Property Managers review if they can effectively understand and manage sustainability impacts at asset and meter level using existing programmes. Where there is any doubt, I encourage stakeholders to:

  • Plan – start early and identify what you can meter already and what you would like to meter
  • Do – implement an appropriate metering strategy according to the value proposition of doing so
  • Check – utilise the powerful Monitoring & Targeting, and reporting tools provided by SEIRA
  • Act – use the investment grade data obtained through SIERA to drive improvements across your portfolio(s)

If you’d like to talk to us about your GRESB results, or about SIERA, we will be at the London results launch on 13th September. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange a meeting or a demo.

GRESB Premier PartnerAs a GRESB Real Estate Premier Partner, we are perfectly positioned to provide GRESB support. View our official Premier Partner profile.

We can work with you to complete the submission and understand your scoring, as well as develop a sustainability plan that will improve your future GRESB performance and align with your organisation’s key environmental objectives.

Health and Wellbeing Certification Standards 101

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This post was co-authored by Oli Pye, Associate Director and Rhianne Menzies, Junior Sustainability Consultant

Momentum behind the topic of health and wellbeing in commercial real estate is building […no pun intended…] and we at EVORA are committed to expanding our expertise in this area significantly. We firmly believe that the health and wellbeing of building occupants is now a critical element of the wider sustainability agenda. Here we set out a post about Health and Wellbeing Certification Standards.

In support of this, we recently held our own wellbeing event in partnership with BRE as we were keen to bring operational assets into a discussion that has so far tended to focus on the new builds and major refurbishments.

Furthermore, and looking closer to home, we recently assessed the positive improvements to our own wellbeing in our office move earlier this year and published the results on our website for all to see.

As has been evidenced by the vast amounts of discussion around the WELL Building Standard, certification schemes have played and will continue to play a vital role in the evolution of the conversation around health and wellbeing. They not only provide standardised, third party-validated assessments that support performance benchmarking, but they are also used widely as key pieces of reference material for the industry.

So, which scheme(s) can be used to assess what type of building, at what cost, and to what level of rigour? And which scheme(s) should be consulted when developing an internal strategy to progress health and wellbeing?

Three key standards – Fitwel, WELL and Reset

As the number of certification schemes has recently begun to proliferate in earnest, we thought now would be an appropriate time to provide a brief introduction to the three front runners: WELL, Fitwel and RESET.

This blog forms the first in a series of health and wellbeing-related communications. Following this ‘introduction’ to the three dominant certification schemes, we will return to each scheme one by one and in greater detail. The next blog will take a detailed look at Fitwell, then we’ll tackle WELL and RESET.

(It is worth noting that established green building certification schemes such as BREEAM and LEED also cover aspects of health and wellbeing within their assessments. These schemes are not covered in this blog.)

Fitwel – Simpler, holistic, office-focussed, no mandatory credits, no onsite validation

Fitwel is a process for assessing the level to which a building supports the overall health and wellbeing of its users. It looks and feels like a normal building rating system – e.g. BREEAM or LEED – with its guidance document, assessment criteria and evidence requirements. Its assessment process is more straightforward, with photos taken on a mobile device providing sufficient evidence for many criteria and an online portal that serves as a one stop shop for guidance materials, pre-assessment, assessment and verification.

In our experience, Fitwel has been ‘on the scene’ in the UK for roughly 12 months. From the beginning, it has been touted across the industry as being easier and more cost-efficient than other schemes. This is undoubtedly true though it remains to be seen whether it’s correspondingly less prescriptive approach is accepted by the industry as being sufficiently robust. As of March 31st 2017, there were three projects in the process of achieving certification in the UK.

EVORA Global Fitwel Table

WELL Building Standard – Complex, holistic, robust, mandatory credits, onsite validation

Like Fitwel, The WELL Building Standard (‘WELL’) is an assessment routine that takes a holistic look at building-related health and wellbeing – the topics it covers ranges from indoor air quality to sleep. It also has all the hallmarks of a typical building rating system – guidance, criteria and evidence requirements etc. However, just 5 minutes with both manuals in front of you and it becomes very clear that they are quite different in their level of complexity. WELL assessment criteria are more prescriptive and unlike Fitwel they contain many mandatory performance standards that must be third-party validated.

WELL is undoubtedly the preeminent health and wellbeing assessment for buildings. With the first manual released in 2014, it has certainly been around the longest.

Despite its profile and the number of assets registering under the scheme, so far only a relatively small number of assets have seen it through to certification in the UK: 20 registered; 1 certified (as of 16th August 2017).

Costs were taken from the WELL ‘Pricing Calculator’

EVORA Global WELL Building Standard Table

RESET– Air quality, robust, flexible, onsite validation

RESET (Regenerative, Ecological, Social & Economic Targets) is a modularised certification programme, currently covering just ‘Air’ – i.e. indoor air quality. According to their website, new modules to assess ‘Comfort’ and ‘Environment’ are in development.

RESET Air is a sensor-based certification programme that requires ongoing measurement via real-time monitors and communication of results directly to users. It’s stated aims are to standardise and validate the quality of sensors, their installation and calibration. It also sets standards for overall performance and reporting the results to building occupants. RESET does not prescribe any routes to compliance (i.e. design criteria); instead, it is entirely results-based. There are a number of completed certifications in Asia, although we are not currently aware of any completed certifications in the UK.

Costs were taken from the RESET ‘Pricing Calculator’

EVORA Global Reset standard table

Health and Wellbeing Certification Standards – Concluding Remarks

Fitwel – If you want a relatively quick and cost-efficient third-party verified stamp of approval for new or existing assets. Challenges may arise in conveying the relevance of the standard to prospective and existing tenants, however, it should provide an effective framework for discussions.

WELL – A belt and braces design, assessment and certification routine. Likely a higher cost option, when considering certification, consultancy and capital expenditure fees but correspondingly robust and well received across the industry. Certainly, one to consider for ‘lighthouse’ schemes going through construction or major refurbishment. The manual is freely available and so provides a useful reference guide for those wanting to benchmark and or update their strategic approach to health and wellbeing without going for full certification.

RESET – One to watch closely and in the short term. There is a real need for standardisation around sensor calibration and implementation and air quality is arguably the first health and wellbeing aspect that as an industry we need to get right. It is easy to imagine a procedure like this becoming a statutory responsibility in the near future, particularly in public (e.g. schools) and health/social-care related buildings. Forward-thinking corporate occupiers are also likely to be highly interested in this scheme.

Interested in exploring health and wellbeing risks and opportunities relating to your portfolio? Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation with one of our expert consultants.

110 Seconds To Understand How SIERA Sustainability Software Can Help You

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Watch Our New Video Now!

Watch our new animated explainer video for SIERA, which gives you a high-level overview of everything our innovative sustainability software solution can do for you.

Depending on where you are and how convenient it is to watch a video, you can:

1.     Watch the video with the sound on – recommended

2.     Watch the video with the sound off – the captions will allow you to follow along

3.     Read the video script, which is pasted below for your convenience

We hope you enjoy the video and that you will want to learn more by attending one of our webinar demonstrations or getting in touch to book a one-to-one demo.

Thanks for watching!

SIERA Sustainability Software – the right choice for your business

Video Script

Every year, environmental management becomes more complex and reporting requirements become more stringent.

Which is why the sustainability experts at EVORA came up with SIERA – a unique and innovative software solution.

Not only does SIERA make all your sustainability reporting easy – it also enables you to quickly identify energy savings in your buildings.

[clickToTweet tweet=”SIERA makes sustainability reporting easy and enables you to identify energy savings in buildings” quote=”Not only does SIERA make all your sustainability reporting easy – it also enables you to quickly identify energy savings in your buildings”]

Never before has collecting and validating your environmental data been so easy. Whether it’s automating data collection, or dragging and dropping your data from Excel files, SIERA makes a complex process simple.

The intelligent modelling capability covers a range of regulatory and voluntary reporting requirements, quickly and intuitively.

In fact, SIERA saves our clients up to 70% of their time spent on GRESB reporting.

SIERA also gives you an overview of your property and portfolio performance, helping you mitigate regulatory risk and prioritise improvement opportunities.

SIERA’s ground-breaking Energy Monitoring and Targeting module automatically alerts you to energy efficiency opportunities.

Savings are easy to identify and can be achieved without any capital expenditure.

[clickToTweet tweet=”SIERA gives an overview of property/portfolio performance, helping mitigate regulatory risk” quote=”SIERA gives you an overview of property and portfolio performance, helping you mitigate regulatory risk and prioritise improvement opportunities”]

Whether you’re seeking a hands-on solution, or a fully managed service with EVORA’s expert consultants – SIERA is the right choice for your business.

SIERA is already managing over 4,000 properties and is being rapidly adopted by large organisations across the globe.

Isn’t it time you used SIERA too?

 To learn more about SIERA and discover how it can save you time, stress, and money, please get in touch today to arrange a demonstration.

 

GRESB Premier PartnerAs a GRESB Real Estate Premier Partner, we are perfectly positioned to provide GRESB support. View our official Premier Partner profile.

We can work with you to complete the submission and understand your scoring, as well as develop a sustainability plan that will improve your future GRESB performance and align with your organisation’s key environmental objectives.

How to host an effective energy management strategy workshop

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Get stuck into the discussion

“The projector doesn’t work!!!”  My colleague Paul Sutcliffe and I had just arrived at Liverpool ONE to deliver an energy management strategy workshop and we were setting up.  Concern, led to frustration – mostly on my part (I had spent a significant amount of time working on the materials).  Then attendees started arriving.

Our brief for the day was to hold an energy workshop with staff at Liverpool ONE – each attendee represented different departments. This was to act as a starting point for roll out of an energy strategy.

We had to make a call.  Delay things whilst we sorted technology out or get stuck into discussions around an interesting subject with a group of truly engaged people.  We chose the latter –  and what a choice!

Slides were put up on laptop screens, as background information, and attendees would periodically refer to slide packs for information throughout the sessions (so my preparation time was not wasted).

One of the first questions posed to the workshop attendees was a simple “Why Bother?”. A challenging and somewhat risky ice breaker, but responses flowed with many reasons suggested – It was apparent, from the start, that this was a topic close to team member’s hearts!

Identify barriers and opportunities

The lack of a formal presentation at the front of the room acted to open up the workshop.  We ran a series of facilitated discussions that picked through issues and opportunities, strengths and weaknesses.  This led to some great results. As a group we:

  • Identified and documented real opportunities to improve energy management across the whole leisure and retail estate (including technological, operational and behavioural aspects) – issues that will now be progressed
  • Agreed on the need for granular level energy data across the estate
  • Highlighted the barriers faced which need to be overcome in order to succeed
  • Agreed that a structured management system approach was necessary

Liverpool ONE has already made significant progress when it comes to environmental and energy management (the centre is ISO 14001 certified and has already installed a large solar photo voltaic array). However, commitment and engagement to take energy management forward was clear.

Know your subject and prepare well!

The workshop was enjoyable, engaging, successful and benefitted everyone – the attendees and consultants.  The information collected will be used to formulate and further develop Liverpool ONE’s energy strategy.

However, we must always keep learning as consultants.  At EVORA we have been working on our presentations for a long time now always work to avoid ‘death by PowerPoint’ but the Liverpool ONE session really brought this home.  Some take-aways from me as a consultant:

  • Know your subject
  • Prepare well
  • Use slides to augment discussion – ask yourself ‘do they add value?’

And, don’t trust technology!

To speak to one of the team about supporting your energy management strategy, contact us.

Six weeks in the life of an EVORA Data Analyst

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The EVORA team has grown by 108% since May last year. Jenny, our new EVORA Data Analyst tells us what the first six weeks of EVORA life have been like.

Straight into GRESB deadline season

I joined as an EVORA Data Analyst at an extremely busy time of the year, it was the business end of the GRESB window, which resulted in me being plunged into the deep end from my first day. After my initial induction where I learnt more about EVORAs recent expansion I began on my first (of many!) GRESB tasks. GRESB was a completely new concept to me, and the amount of data which needed to be collected and analysed was mind-boggling, but thankfully we had SIERA to take a lot of the pain away. Whilst being given responsibility on the first day can be a little bit daunting it was great for me as the usual first day nerves didn’t have time to take hold. The main problem was the fact that it was the hottest day of the year and everyone in the office was melting!

CRC – allowances, annual reports and data audits

With GRESB behind us just a couple of weeks after joining, the CRC deadline was then looming. At University, I had briefly studied the CRC so I knew the basic principles and the intention of the legislation. However, I wasn’t aware of the amount of data which needed to be collated and the amount of money our clients pay for allowances in order to ensure compliance. Calculating the allowances, compiling annual reports and completing data audits resulted in me taking a lot on board in a short space of time – which was a steep learning curve. I was shocked to discover that following the 2018-19 reporting year the government are scrapping the CRC. Whilst it may be considered overly burdensome with regards to the time taken to collate the data and general administration – it at least keeps energy on the business agenda. Whilst adding extra monies onto electricity and gas bills (after 2019) is going to result in a similar amount of monies going into the government purses it doesn’t exactly have the same impact on business as ordering £200,000 worth of carbon allowances!

I was shocked to discover that following the 2018-19 reporting year the government are scrapping the CRC. Whilst it may be considered overly burdensome with regards to the time taken to collate the data and general administration – it at least keeps energy on the business agenda

SIERA – collate and analyse vast data sets quickly and easily

In addition to the GRESB and CRC deadlines, quarterly performance reporting has become a huge part of my daily life at EVORA. With the assistance of SIERA I collate and analyse vast data sets of electricity, gas and water consumption across various assets for multiple clients. The most rewarding part is when the performance reports we produce directly help to focus the facilities and building managers on the areas which matter. For example, we recently issued a quarterly performance report to a building manager which highlighted poor gas performance. Within an hour, emails had been sent to tenants asking about their heating requirements and the M&E engineer was investigating potential issues with the boilers. Without our reports – none of that would have happened, they might have just noticed that their bill was a bit higher for the quarter. I find this part of my job extremely fulfilling as these reports directly help our clients to discover their inefficiencies, improve the performance of their assets and ultimately save money.

[clickToTweet tweet=”It’s rewarding when performance reports directly help facilities/building managers on areas which matter” quote=”The most rewarding part of this is when the performance reports we produce directly helps to focus the facilities and building managers on the areas which matter.”]

When I mentioned at the start of this blog that I joined EVORA at a particularly busy time of the year I was wrong. I don’t think there ever is a quiet time of the year at EVORA! I have joined EVORA at an exciting time; the recent rapid expansion of the company demonstrates just how in demand our services are. I can’t wait to get stuck into the next task sent my way (potentially Environmental Management System work or shadowing an energy audit). Here’s to the next six weeks!

You can keep up to date with vacancies at EVORA on our social media channels: Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

BIM:SAM – A Revolutionary Way To Optimise And Future-Proof Your Buildings In A Digital Age

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Strategic asset management within the BIM environment; bringing all the information you need into one building model

EVORA EDGE‘s remit is to support clients to implement sustainability at both fund and asset levels. We do this by helping to design, deliver and manage technical engineering solutions to the built environment. To support our delivery of these technical services, EVORA EDGE has developed an innovative management approach, which we call BIM:SAM – Building Information Modelling for Strategic Asset Management.

BIM:SAM is nothing mysterious or untested. It’s our way of delivering a connected, intelligent approach to designing, maintaining, monitoring and reporting asset performance within the Commercial Real Estate sector.

[clickToTweet tweet=”BIM:SAM – EVORA’s approach to managing the challenges that exist within commercial real estate” quote=”BIM:SAM is our approach to managing the many challenges that exist within commercial real estate, and is our way of future-proofing properties in a digital age.”]

BIM:SAM – a ‘one stop shop’ for managing real estate challenges.

  • Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.
  • Strategic Asset Management (SAM) involves the balancing of costs, opportunities and risks against the desired performance of assets.

EVORA has created a methodology for combining BIM technologies with SAM processes into a ‘one stop shop’ solution that informs the building management process, resulting in a useful transferable asset – the building information model.

The schematic below demonstrates how, acting as a technical manager, we use BIM:SAM to manage commercial real estate and developments.

BIM:SAM Projects diagram

As you can see, the BIM can be created for a number of solutions, such as a high-level MEES risk assessment, a Health and Wellbeing study, or as part of a building services design project.

Whatever the requirement, the same BIM can be used as a ‘digital passport’ for your building, recording data and information of the building and its services – one model, multiple functionalities.

[clickToTweet tweet=”The launch of BIM:SAM provides a ‘one stop shop’ approach to delivering M&E technical consultancy” quote=”The launch of BIM:SAM now provides a ‘one stop shop’ approach to delivering M&E technical consultancy”]

Merging real intelligence and innovation with strategic asset management.

The typical M&E/FM service model below illustrates how the M&E consultant’s role can be restricted to periodic checking and/or specific project involvement:

Conversely, our BIM:SAM model below illustrates how EVORA EDGE, as a Technical Manager, continuously interacts with the Property Manager by using a dynamic building information model.

This BIM can be integrated with our SIERA software to create a powerful monitoring and targeting (M&T) toolset. BIM:SAM merges real intelligence and innovation with strategic asset management.

SIERA BIM:SAM diagram

At the heart of BIM:SAM is the relationship between our Technical Manager and the Property Manager. We develop and provide the building information model that informs the decision-making process.

Within our model and our SIERA platform, we collate the information required such as energy usage, CO2 emissions (embodied carbon and operational), asset condition reporting, maintenance scheduling and life expectancy reporting.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Using a dynamic BIM model alongside @SIERAsoftware can bring innovation to asset management” quote=”By using a dynamic BIM model, alongside monitoring and targeting through our SIERA software, we can bring real intelligence and innovation within the strategic asset management approach”]

Outputs that are easily integrated and simple to understand.

EVORA EDGE is experienced in using BIM processes to manage MEES risks, engineering and energy efficiency, resource efficiency and capital cost planning.

Our systems follow the recommendations in the RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM) Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works. This ensures that any outputs can be easily understood and integrated into capital cost planning and asset management by non-engineering professionals.

BIM:SAM in action.

Guildford Borough Council

We used our BIM:SAM approach to undertake an exciting project for Guildford Borough Council, supporting it with its CO2 reduction strategy.

Download our Guildford Borough Council case study here.

EPAM

We have been appointed by our client EPIC Property Asset Management Ltd (EPAM) to conduct a BIM:SAM project at 120 Old Broad Street – a 49,000sqft multi-let office building. We look forward to sharing the results of this work soon, and at X Energy 2017 in October, at which we are the Building Optimisation Partner.

The benefits of our BIM:SAM approach:

  • Managed by technical M&E specialists
  • Centralised data collation, consistent processes and simplified reporting structures
  • BIM ‘Digital Passport’
  • Data quality and performance modelling
  • Conditioned-based monitoring and intelligent PPMP
  • Performance Management – energy and productivity
  • Future-proofing of assets
  • Health and Wellbeing planning
  • Improved fund performance

To learn more about BIM:SAM and how it can revolutionise your approach to asset management, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or download our BIM:SAM brochure for all the information in a handy PDF.