Low carbon operation

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Once the construction phase is complete, the consistent adherence to a low operational carbon approach will ensure the project lives up to its original objectives.

Operation management
- Put an environmental management system (EMS) in place
- Put limits on temperature controls for day-to-day use
- Install an automatic shut-off system to put equipment on standby
- Choose a building management system (BMS) to automatically turn off power at night and during weekends
- Ensure the highest possible level of total energy demand comes from local renewable or low emission energy sources
- Consider closing areas of the space on low occupancy days
- Install ‘workplace footprint tracker’ software to control and display energy use on dashboards to encourage building occupants to reduce their individual energy use
- Install devices to manually shut down workstations when not in use
- Install timers on appliances to automatically shut down equipment out-of-hours, for example televisions, audio-visual, etc.
- Reassess your systems at the end of the first year
- Undertake an energy audit every year
- Ensure all services are regularly maintained and commissioned to intended design

Communicate with the occupants
- Engage the occupants through a shared commitment to meet low carbon targets
- Incorporate signage that encourage turning off equipment and lights
- Communicate clearly about your ongoing sustainable goals and objectives:
  - Design presentations
  - Project extranet
  - Noticeboards and company newsletters
- Provide training on how to use all the systems (lights, heating and air, etc.)
- Make the case for a ‘paperless’ office by encouraging electronic archiving