14 November, 2007
Winkler Partners Environmental Impact: Baselines 2004-2006
As part of a firm-wide commitment to reduce our environmental impact, Winkler Partners collects data reflecting its energy and resource conservation efforts compiled in a set of metrics. These include figures for electricity, gas and water use, measurements of waste and recyclables, as well as an overall carbon footprint that reflect the entirety of its business activities (including calculations of for carbon produce by transportation to and from work and overseas business trips).
While some preliminary sustainability efforts began at the firm as early as 2002 when its offices were moved to the current location, the collection of quantifiable data began in 2004. Therefore, 2004 serves as a baseline for comparison with future data. It should be noted that from 2004 to 2006 there were no significant changes in office facilities or equipment that would affect energy or resource use. Also during this period the number of staff has fluctuated minimally while revenue rose by approximately 30 percent. The following figures set out baselines for water, electricity, gas, and material resource use by the firm between 2004 and 2006.
Water
Winkler Partners has dramatically reduced its water use through basic conservation methods, with water use down almost 40% between 2004 and 2006. With the addition of water-efficient toilets and a rooftop catchment system for rainwater collection in 2007, we expect water use this year to drop 60% compared to 2004 levels and perhaps as high as 80% in 2008.
- 2005: 774 units of water saved over 2004
- 2006: 133 units of water saved over 2005
- 2004-2006 1681 units (1,681,000L) of water saved. (on 2004 baseline)
Electricity
Through simple conservation measures, Winkler Partners has been able to reduce its use of electricity by 15% between 2004 and 2006. Current figures for 2007 will likely see that number increase to 20% over the 2004 benchmark data.
Comparison of Electricity Use and Savings (2004-2006)
1 unit of electricity=1000 watt hours (Wh) =860 kilocalories (Kcal)
- 2005: 3220 units of electricity saved over 2004
- 2006: 15822 units of electricity saved over 2005
- 2004-2006: 22,262 units of electricity saved.(on 2004 baseline)
Gas
The use of natural gas at Winkler Partners increased substantially between 2004 and 2005 due to the addition of daycare facilities that now serve four preschool children. Since that time, however, conservation measures have helped reduce the amount of gas used and current figures show gas use in 2007 should return to 2004 levels.
- 2005: increase of 1001 units used over 2004
- 2006: 50 units of gas saved over 2005
- 2004-2006: overall increase of 151 units.
Waste and Recyclables
No program for sustainability would be effective without tackling the issue of material consumption. Winkler Partners has set a target to become a “zero waste” office and seeks to decouple material intensity from profitability. Metrics were only put into use this year so we are currently unable to assess the amount of progress made.
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For more information on the Winkler Partners substainability program, please contact Mark McVicar at +886-2-2311-2345 ext. 456
