HS2 has become the
UK’s first infrastructure project to be awarded a BREEAM Infrastructure (pilot)
Scheme Certificate for its ambitious sustainability strategy on Phase 1 of the
project.
The assessment
demonstrates that HS2 is committed to going beyond enhancement and protection
of the environment, to address the key social and economic impacts of the
development.
It includes features
such as working in harmony with communities, being a great neighbour, putting
safety and wellbeing at the heart of the project, and building sustainable
economic benefits for the whole of the UK, such as better skills and career
opportunities for a new generation.
HS2 Environment
Director, Peter Miller, said: "We are very pleased to receive this BREEAM
Infrastructure certificate. Our goal with HS2 is to design and build the most
sustainable high-speed railway of its kind in the world, working in partnership
with our supply chain and local communities to leave a positive legacy for
future infrastructure projects both in the UK and beyond. This certificate is a
testament to our sustainability commitments and to the lasting benefits of the
HS2 project.”
BREEAM Infrastructure
is part of the international BREEAM family of sustainability standards for
buildings and infrastructure. Later this year the best of BREEAM
Infrastructure will be brought together with market leading sustainable
infrastructure scheme CEEQUAL to provide a new world class international scheme
for the future called CEEQUAL (2018).
The CEEQUAL (2018)
development process includes significant valuable feedback and learning from
the application of the BREEAM Infrastructure pilot to HS2.
BRE Director of
Infrastructure Chris Broadbent said: "From 2014 HS2 was the first project
to engage with BRE in the development of BREEAM Infrastructure working with us
to pioneer a new approach to a sustainability strategy which applies right
across the entire HS2 project. This is a first for the UK and it will set the
standards for future infrastructure projects around the world."
