Lamington Group sets new sustainability benchmark for hotel industry with whole life net zero approach
Robert Godwin, Managing Director at Lamington Group and room2
Robert Godwin, Managing Director at Lamington Group and room2
London – Lamington Group, the real estate investor and developer, has set an industry first target of delivering whole life net zero carbon across the future development and operation of its hometels. Operated by room2, hometels are the brainchild of Lamington Group which combine the best elements from Airbnb, serviced apartments and boutique hotels in an offering designed to appeal equally to corporate and leisure guests and those seeking alternative forms of residential accommodation. The ambitious target forms part of Lamington Group’s 2030 Net Zero Carbon Roadmap (“Roadmap”), published today and which includes the actions required for the company to reach its 1.5oC aligned target, set in accordance with the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi). Underpinning the delivery of whole life net zero carbon hotels, Lamington Group has developed its room2 Net Zero Building Specification, aligned to both the London Energy Transformation Initiative principles and the UK GBC Whole Life Net Zero framework. The development of all future hometels will strictly adhere to the new framework, which is focused on the critical need to reduce embodied carbon throughout the design stage and achieve operational net zero throughout the building’s lifetime. Working alongside its partners, measures will include the use of low carbon construction methods and materials, purchasing 100% renewable energy during construction and in-use, and specialist consultants appointed to reach carbon targets on every project. Any unavoidable operational and embodied emissions will be balanced through verified nature-based carbon removal offsets to achieve whole life net zero carbon. The Roadmap represents the latest and most ambitious phase of Lamington Group’s long-standing focus on sustainability and recognises the leading role that the real estate industry has to play in mitigating climate change. At the same time, it is a major step forward for the hotel sector and positions Lamington Group at the forefront of the industry’s transition to net zero. Alongside its room2 hometels’ net zero commitment, Lamington Group has committed to achieve net zero carbon across Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 using science-based targets and by tracking and minimising Scope 3 emissions. The company’s management team has already begun drawing up retrofitting plans for its apartment portfolio. This will include switching all systems to electric so that they can be powered 100% through renewable sources and upgrades in insulation and heating efficiencies. The Company has set a number of specific energy and climate targets across both its existing 14,000 sqm real estate portfolio and future developments, including: Lamington Group is collaborating with a range of stakeholders to adopt various frameworks at a corporate level. These include aligning with the GHG Protocol and Science Based Climate Initiative, as well as incorporating the One Planet Living Principles, which promote ten social and environmental values including community, local economy, zero waste and the use of sustainable materials. It will also work with guests across Lamington Group supporting them to make sustainable choices through a rewards scheme, which will be trialled in 2022. Robert Godwin, Managing Director at Lamington Group and room2, commented: “Today’s ambitious commitment to only deliver whole life net zero carbon hometels and wider 2030 Net Zero Carbon Roadmap reflects our strong belief that the real estate sector should be taking a lead on climate change to protect our planet for future generations. As a matter of urgency we are therefore taking action to both future proof our current portfolio, while delivering an industry leading hotel product. Showcasing innovation in carbon reduction will underpin our targeted delivery of 5,000 room2 hometel keys by 2030. Crucially we will not compromise on style and comfort. “Despite buildings accounting for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, the hospitality sector in particular has been left behind within the real estate industry. As a dynamic business which has decision making for the long term at its heart, we are in a strong position to set the benchmark for best-practice sustainability initiatives in this space, and align ourselves with similarly minded partners as we embark on our growth strategy. “Demonstrating tangible progress will be integral to our approach, and we have a number of near term and exciting milestones which will take our sustainability agenda to the next level.”
About room2 room2 is the UK’s first hometel brand, conceived in 2015. It is the third accommodation brand launched by the Lamington Group, an independent family-owned real estate investment and development company which was founded in the 1960s and is based in West London The brainchild of brothers Robert and Stuart Godwin, former members of the British Olympic Development Sailing team, hometels combine the best elements from Airbnb, serviced apartments and boutique hotels in an offering designed to appeal equally to corporate and leisure guests and those seeking alternative forms of residential accommodation. With innovative features such as 24 hour stays as standard, mattress selection and 0min check-in, room2’s highly flexible offer provides kitchens in every room and is available from one night to one year. room2 currently has two operational locations, the Southampton Hometel and Hammersmith Townhouse, both of which have performed strongly since opening and throughout Covid. room2 Southampton was sold to Aberdeen Standard Investments in Jan 2021 on a sale and leaseback during the height of the pandemic, supported by industry leading performance. room2 has a further pipeline of live projects across the UK with a Gross Development Value of over £100 million, including sites in Chiswick, Belfast, Fulham and Liverpool, featuring a mix of wholly owned assets and those pre-leased to room2 by development partners. About Lamington Group Lamington Group has been established as an investor and developer of residential and commercial real estate since 1967. The Group has a family of brands, including Lamington Apartments, Lamington Lettings, Missionworks, room2 and room2 lite, and actively sources schemes where value can be added through planning and development. The group has a particular focus on expansion in the extended stay sector which is the fastest growing segment of the UK's hospitality industry.
Organization
Lamington Group
https://www.lamingtongroup.com/
109 Hammersmith Grove
London, W6 0NQ
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 208 748 2645
Email: developments@lamingtonuk.com
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 Lamington Group sets new sustainability benchmark for hotel industry with whole life net zero approach |
