Then and now: celebrating biodiversity and ESG at Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work

Home to some of the world’s leading names, the 33-acre Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work is also a haven for biodiversity and a flagship for sustainable landscaping.

Since 2010, our teams at The Nurture Landscapes Group have delivered a full, directly delivered grounds maintenance service, with the results gaining both the internationally-recognised Green Flag and Green Apple awards and the British Association for Landscaping Industries (BALI) principal award for Grounds Maintenance – Limited Public Access.

Such success and recognition, of course, does not just happen – it is the result of a strong partnership born from a shared commitment to nurturing the environment and those who rely on it in their daily lives. This commitment is reflected in several of the initiatives that we have collaborated on together throughout the years.

ESG is, rightfully, gaining increased recognition and awareness at the present time. In our relationship with Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work, each initiative from waste and recycling to arranging community events have the aim of benefitting both the physical environment and the communities using it. Take our continued support for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust for example.

Yes, these are great for bringing the Park’s guests and public together to learn about the challenges being faced by one of the UK’s most important pollinators, but the further reaching benefits are immense. To date, we have supported our Chiswick Park colleagues in caring for two hives, containing a total of 120,000 honeybees. The honey that these hard workers produce is extracted by an expert beekeeper and given away to guests. Watch the Bee’s at Chiswick Park. 

Activities such as these are, of course, something we and the Chiswick Park team enjoy, but the serious message of the need to protect vulnerable species is retained by attendees and also adds value to the Park itself as an attractive location for prospective guests to base their operations. The overall visitor experience – linking neatly into the societal element of ESG – also plays a part here.

Casting back some 12 years ago when we first began our relationship with Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work, we have both seen the tangible benefits of what is possible when ESG is mapped out carefully and has a long-term vision. 

Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work’s CEO, Matt Coulson, proudly states: “Our ESG framework reflects our longstanding commitment to our guests, our local community, our partners, our team, and our shareholders. We are proud to lead the way in delivering one of the most sustainable campuses in the UK and are totally committed to our net zero pathway.”

Even with the impacts of Covid-19, ESG has continued to be at the heart of what makes Chiswick Park an exemplar for sustainable landscaping. If anything, the pandemic brought even sharper focus and showed both us and our colleagues at the Park the opportunities presented by agile working.

Each year, Chiswick Park’s annual ESG Report gives a detailed, honest overview of what has worked in the preceding 12 months and what is still to be worked on. As part of our remit at Nurture, our colleagues are responsible for ensuring the biodiversity element of the Park’s ESG mission is maintained. Below are some of the highlights from the latest version are:

–          Since 2016, Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work have invested £2.6 million and implemented a number of projects to reduce our energy consumption across the campus

–          Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work enable Guests to reduce their CO2 emissions from commuting to work by offering them EV charging stations and cycling facilities

–          Vastly reduced level of waste – 48% recycled and a commitment to zero landfill waste each month (achieved for the last four years)

In addition, we ourselves conducted a tree survey of all 574 trees on the Park with an annual maintenance plan set in place. Any trees that have had to be removed due to ill-health have been replaced by a further 28, all grown in the UK

 We have had a tremendous decade of implementing sustainable initiatives working in partnership with Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work. From the added value delivered by our beehive events, to utilising best environmental processes in our own day-to-day activities on site, such as using electric equipment rather than petrol, has been both educational and inspirational, and with both of us sharing ambitions to become net zero companies in the coming years, there is certainly more to come!