–Towards a One Planet Olympics
BioRegional were commissioned by London 2012 to develop proposals for maximising the sustainability characteristics of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of the host city bid for 2012. BioRegional worked in partnership with WWF-UK and London 2012 to create a vision for a One Planet Olympics. The scope involved representation at numerous working group meetings, discussions with various stakeholder organisations, the production of a report containing Sustainability Briefing Plans for each of the 10 One Planet Living Principles, and summary materials for the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Committee.

–Site Wide Carbon Strategy for New Wembley
BioRegional and energy specialists ESD were commissioned by a major developer to develop a low carbon strategy for the 4000 home New Wembley development. Modelling exercises showed that carbon emissions would mainly arise due to energy used in buildings, transport, waste management, and food consumption within the development - BioRegional focussed on the latter three aspects. BioRegional’s report provided a commentary on the policy context and general technical aspects, modelling of different scenarios, appraisal of different solutions to achieve reductions in emissions and guidance on implementation-related issues.

–Creating Sustainable Communities in Reading
BioRegional have been acting as sustainability advisors to Prudential PIM in the development of proposals for two major new mixed-use communities in the South of England. Our role included facilitating workshops on sustainability and working with the design teams to develop Sustainability Vision statements and Sustainability Action Plans to act as working documents to inform the decision-making and design development processes. The documents have been used to record the shared sustainable aspirations for the developments, as well as associated targets, delivery mechanisms and monitoring strategies.

–DIY products and services to reduce your footprint
BioRegional were asked by a major home improvement retailer to investigate the opportunities for future products and services offerings to help reduce the environmental footprint of their customers. The study included a product range review, suggestions for ‘quick win’ new products, those which could help achieve EcoHomes credits, and longer term ‘blue sky’ concepts. Opportunities for reducing the impact of the products themselves, as well as the potential for them to facilitate low impact lifestyles were considered with reference to legislative, social, environmental and financial drivers.

–One Planet Living in the Thames Gateway
As part of their One Million Sustainable Homes campaign, WWF-UK commissioned BioRegional to analyse the environmental impacts of building the proposed new homes in the Thames Gateway to different environmental standards. The scenario development and modelling considered specific environmental impacts, the capital costs of building the homes and infrastructure, and potential impacts on household expenditure. Subsequently, BioRegional are working with WWF and partners to undertake a supporting study into the impacts of existing communities and the opportunities for sustainable regeneration.

–Preston Barracks Sustainability Appraisal
The Preston Barracks Steering Group (comprising SEEDA, Brighton & Hove Council and Brighton & Hove City Regeneration Partnership) invited proposals from potential development partners for the redevelopment of a former MOD site into an employment-led mixed-use community. BioRegional provided support to the Group in assessing the submitted schemes against the sustainability criteria identified. A sustainability appraisal and scoring matrix was developed to test the schemes, and the findings were presented in a report including suggested areas where improvements could be made.

–Carbon-neutral Co-housing
The East of England Development Agency commissioned BioRegional to investigate the feasibility of building a carbon-neutral co-housing development in Norfolk. The report included commentary on how the environmental savings delivered through carbon-neutral homes (concept developed by Bill Dunster Architects), can be augmented by benefits delivered through living in a co-housing community. In particular, any increased efficiencies achieved through sharing space and resources, and the benefits to wellbeing through tackling issues of social isolation. The feasibility study also included a legal section on governance structures and a financial appraisal.

–Feasibility Study for a Sustainable Community in Thanet
Thanet District Council commissioned BioRegional to investigate the creation of a 400home, high density, energy efficient and sustainable community on a site in Ramsgate. The community was conceptualised as providing an example and an impetus to the rest of the region in the context of delivering sustainable communities. The feasibility report produced included an outline sustainability action plan identifying specific issues and opportunities for the site, a discussion of funding opportunities, a shortlist of possible design and delivery partners, as well as a section on development and delivery options produced in consultation with a financial consultancy partner.

–Research towards a Zero Carbon Zero Waste Community
Z-squared (Zero Carbon Zero Waste) is a concept design for a 2000 home sustainable community in the key English growth region of the Thames Gateway. BioRegional Consulting have conducted three projects to help meet the stringent targets of this community: (1) research into the best ways to maximise recycled material in its construction; (2) coordination and setting up of a sustainable construction supply chain; and (3) research into facilities management of the complex services and infrastructure component that are the engine behind the community.

–Choices for Grahame Park
BioRegional worked closely with energy specialists ESD to produce a comprehensive, user-friendly document for project managers and the design team to underpin the regeneration of a north London council estate for Notting Hill and Genesis Housing Groups. BioRegional distilled policy context, industry benchmarks, best practice case studies and available guidance and tools to provide aims, objectives and delivery mechanisms.