Businesses in a landmark green office building have come together to create a force for sustainability. 

Specialist regeneration developer Blueprint invited tenants at No.1 Nottingham Science Park to look at ways they could extend the building's positive impact on the environment.

The newly formed "Footprint Committee" involves the landlord, tenants and managing agents in identifying and delivering work to improve the sustainability of the property and the businesses in it. 

John Long, development director at Blueprint, said: "No.1 Nottingham Science Park was built with outstanding green credentials in its own right but, on the basis that the bulk of a property's environmental impact occurs not during development but during occupation, we are interested in taking a longer term view. The introduction of the Footprint Committee looks not just at enhancing the building to make it more sustainable but also at the way that we as landlords and our tenants operate within the building and beyond it."

The establishment of the group builds on the pioneering green lease arrangements at No.1 Nottingham Science Park, which in addition to the more usual UK lease clauses also includes provisions to encourage landlord and tenant to operate in a sustainable way and protect the investment made in delivering a well-designed, green building.

It's an initiative based on Footprint, a groundbreaking sustainable investment policy developed by Blueprint's private sector shareholder, igloo, an Aviva Investors fund.

The Footprint Committee at No.1 Nottingham Science Park is the first of its kind in the country, and both igloo and Blueprint hope it will blaze a trail for similar Footprint Committees in their other UK developments.  Igloo's flagship Bermondsey Square development is already following suit.

Recognised by the United Nations as market leading, the Footprint policy ensures Blueprint's developments are sustainable in the widest sense by being well designed and naturally kind to the environment.

The creation of the Footprint Committee takes the lease a step further and allows for the landlord and tenant to work together to address ideas for enhancing sustainability. 

The Footprint policy has four key four themes:

Regeneration - projects must contribute to the long-term social, physical and economic renewal of urban neighbourhoods.

Environmental Sustainability - patterns of resource use must not compromise the sustainability of environmental systems.

Urban Design - design of buildings and public realm should be distinctive, functional and urban in character.

Health, Happiness and Wellbeing - investing in people and communities in order to change lives and realise potential.

After the first meeting, the committee at No.1 Nottingham Science Park has already agreed to tackle a range of issues. Electricity and heating usage by occupiers is to be reviewed, and there will be a review of power suppliers focused on cost effectiveness and sustainability.

The group is looking at setting targets for reducing non-recyclable waste, and electronic monitors have been attached to waste bins so that this can be monitored. Currently, cardboard, cartridges, fluorescent tubes and glass are recycled.  

Ways in which to implement a green travel plan were discussed, with suggestions including a cycle to work scheme or car-pooling.