Annual Review 2009-10

Creating a green economy

Introduction 3

One Planet Regions 4

One Planet Communities 8

One Planet Companies 12

Enterprises to deliver sustainability 16

One Planet Production 18

Communicating One Planet Living 20

Our Finances in 2009-10 23

At BioRegional we believe that we can create thriving regional economies where we can live and work within our fair share of the earth’s resources. It’s what we call One Planet Living.

The way we think we can best make that happen is to:

work with partners to put in place real life examples •of sustainable communities, organisations and production systems in the UK and internationally

measure the results and share the lessons we •learn, to bring about change among individuals, governments and businesses.

Our 2009-10 annual report - Creating a green economy - highlights our major achievements during the year.

Contents

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IntroductionSue Riddlestone, Director

When you are working to implement real life demonstration projects they naturally can take a bit of time, but over the last year a number of our newer projects have started to become a reality which is very exciting.

1 Zero carbon

2 Zero waste

3 Sustainable transport

4 Sustainable materials

5 Local and sustainable food

6 Sustainable water

7 Land use and wildlife

8 Culture and heritage

9 Equity and local economy

10 Health and happiness

One Planet Living frameworkOne Planet Living is our vision of a sustainable world, in which people everywhere can enjoy a high quality of life within the productive capacity of the planet. It uses 10 principles of sustainability as a framework. www.oneplanetvision.org

Amazing potential is becoming apparent from the sustainable suburb project here in Hackbridge, Sutton, where we are based and which has been chosen as a “Big Society” vanguard; through to the results that retail giant B&Q has started to see from implementing One Planet Living. In July our government told us “We like what you are doing and want you to do more of it!”.

We are so grateful to our partners and supporters for believing in our approach, and working with us to create real-life examples of a green economy. As we havealreadyfound,theinfluenceoftheseexampleson government, industry and individuals really can lead to lasting change for the better.

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One Planet RegionsBioRegional works with local and municipal authorities – those who can encourage and enable low carbon, sustainable lifestyles on a large scale.

What next?We want to retrofit One Planet Living into fiveregionsby2012.Wewillcontinuetowork with Sutton Council to realise its sustainability targets. We want to help enable keen residents in the Hackbridge pilot area to reduce their carbon and eco-footprints by 50% by 2012, with average reductions among all residents of 20%.

We are working intensively with the London Borough of Sutton to create a truly sustainable region for 187,000 people by applying the 10 One Planet Living principles. We are piloting the initiative in Sutton’s Hackbridge suburb, where the BedZED eco-village and BioRegional are based. Drawing on the lessons learned we are working with a lighter touch with other local authorities, giving ongoing support to help them become One Planet Regions.

During 2009-10 we worked most closely with Sutton and Middlesbrough, providing support so they can develop tailored Sustainability Action Plans and effectivelyengagelocalresidentsandworkersinsustainableliving.Wehavealso linked up other local authorities that are interested in our approach via knowledge-sharingandourfirstOnePlanetRegionsconference.

In 2010 we joined the Bicester eco-town delivery team and are also working across the eco-town programme developing monitoring protocols and running training workshops. We will work with each eco-town to help them reach the highest possible standards.

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We want to help enable keen residents in the Hackbridge pilot area to reduce their carbon and eco-footprints by 50% by 2012.

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Recent highlights

One Planet SuttonSuttonisthefirstlocalauthoritytocommittobecomeaOnePlanetRegion.Sutton and the Hackbridge pilot project were chosen in July 2010 as one of four “Big Society” vanguards.

BioRegional is working with the council to roll out its Sustainability Action Plan. The plan will enable those working and living in the borough to achieve One Planet Living by 2025. It also sets the same stretching targets for the council’s own operations. The Hackbridge project grew from those of us in the local community wanting to make the area a great place to live. With other local organisations, we have kick started a number of initiatives to deliver One Planet Living in Hackbridge and borough-wide.

Therearenowthreehomeenergyefficiencypilotsrunningintheborough.Thisincludes a London Low Carbon Zone, and a government (DECC) funded “Pay As You Save” or “Green Deal” trial with B&Q and the council where homeowners receive interest free loans. The money that they repay is calculated to be less than the amount saved on bills. The Technology Strategy Board is also funding us to measure how home improvements and behaviour change programmes cancutcarbonemissions.WeaimtoretrofitonehomewithafullOnePlanetLiving makeover and achieve a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 80%. In the coming year we will use the lessons learned from these projects to develop a delivery model to make Hackbridge zero carbon.

Meanwhile, our One Planet Food project, which is making local food widely available in the borough, is proving popular with residents (see page 18).

BioRegional is also mentoring small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hackbridge to improve their environmental performance and save money. Thistwo-yearcouncil-runschemeisfinancedby the European Regional Development Fund.

www.oneplanetsutton.org

Key targets for Sutton Council include:

All council buildings to •be zero carbon by 2017.

The entire borough able •to become zero carbon enabled by 2025.

ONEPLANETSUTTON

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Sonoma Mountain Village, USACodding Enterprises

Mata de Sesimbra, PortugalPelicano

Ivory Park and Sibaya, South AfricaJohannesburg EcoCity Trust / Tongaat Hulett Developments

BedZED, UKPeabody

Masdar City, Abu DhabiMubadala

Jinshan, Guangzhou, ChinaChina Merchants Property Development

One Brighton, UKBioRegional Quintainand Crest Nicholson

These developments are fully-endorsed One Planet Communities. Others are in the process of becoming endorsed or have used the One Planet Living framework in their design and construction.

Barangaroo, AustraliaBarangaroo Delivery Authority / Lend Lease

Riverside One, UKBioRegional Quintain

Petite Rivière, CanadaGroupe Pacifi c

One Planet CommunitiesBioRegional believes that people should be able to lead healthy, happy, green lives in places that are attractive andaffordable.

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Our experience with the BedZED eco-village has shown us that One Planet Communities need to go much further than just green buildings: they also need to support and encourage green lifestyles. We work with partners to create and manage these One Planet Communities worldwide.

We are currently working with developers building sustainable communities in Australia, Canada, China, North America, Portugal, South Africa and the UAE.

Sonoma Mountain Village, USACodding Enterprises

Mata de Sesimbra, PortugalPelicano

Ivory Park and Sibaya, South AfricaJohannesburg EcoCity Trust / Tongaat Hulett Developments

BedZED, UKPeabody

Masdar City, Abu DhabiMubadala

Jinshan, Guangzhou, ChinaChina Merchants Property Development

One Brighton, UKBioRegional Quintainand Crest Nicholson

These developments are fully-endorsed One Planet Communities. Others are in the process of becoming endorsed or have used the One Planet Living framework in their design and construction.

Barangaroo, AustraliaBarangaroo Delivery Authority / Lend Lease

Riverside One, UKBioRegional Quintain

Petite Rivière, CanadaGroupe Pacifi c

www.oneplanetcommunities.org

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One Brighton, UKThe 10 One Planet Living principles formed the framework for the green design, construction and lifestyles at One Brighton. This endorsed OnePlanetCommunitysawitsfirstresidents move in during 2009. The 172-apartment block – built by developers BioRegional Quintain and Crest Nicholson – is packed with green features.

Construction materials include the greenest concrete in the UK, natural clay blocks and wood fibreinsulation.Thebuildingis run entirely on renewable energy. Residents can enjoy roof top allotments and gardens, a car club and also have a green caretaker. A café, training centre and commercial space are also built into the development. Crucially, the project was built within the normal range of build costs demonstrating that One Planet Living can be achieved cost effectively.

Sales at One Brighton are strong, in spite of the current market: the building will be fully occupied in 2010-11.

Sonoma, USABioRegional North America is working with partners to develop exemplary One Planet Communities in key USA cities.

The One Planet Living principles underpin the $1bn redevelopment of an industrial site at Sonoma Mountain Village (SOMO), California. This endorsed One Planet Community intends to emit zero carbon, create zero waste and use zero ground water.

The 81-hectare site – developed by Codding Enterprises – will provide 4,400 jobs in 50,000m2ofoffice,retail and commercial space. Some 1,900 homes are also to be built. By the time of completion in 2020, each resident will be no more than afiveminutewalktogroceries,restaurants, day care and other amenitiesthatwillofferlocal,sustainable and Fairtrade products.

During 2010 41 companies moved intothefirstphaseofdevelopment.The home building phase will begin in 2011.

Recent highlights

www.onebrighton.co.uk

www.sonomamountainvillage.com

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Jinshan and Chongqing, ChinaA strong environmental performance from China is essential if we are to tackle the global environmental crisis, so we are keen to work in this key country.

Our reputation in China is growing, after working with China Merchants Property Development to create a One Planet Action Plan for the 5,000 home Jinshan development in Guangzhou. The completed development has seen a 65% reduction in energy consumption, solar hot water for 500 homes and on-site waste water treatment to reduce water consumption by 36,000m3 per year. Following the success of this project, we have been asked to take forward the next phase so it meets full One Planet Community status.

In addition, BioRegional is now looking to develop a One Planet Community in the region of Chongqing. We have recently been allocated a site, signed a memorandum of understanding with the regional government, and hope to secure a commitment from a developer to start building such a project over the course of 2010-11. Securing work in Chongqing gives BioRegional a real opportunity to influencekeydecision-makersabouttheimportanceof sustainable living: the city is just one of four under control of central government in Beijing.

What next?

We are planning to set up new One Planet Communities on four continents by March 2012. By doing this, we will show that One Planet Living can be attractive,affordableandachievableanywhereintheworld.

In London, we continue our search for a regeneration site where we can createaflagshipOnePlanetCommunityideallyconnectedwiththe2012Olympics site.

www.bioregional.cn

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One Planet Companies

Many businesses now use our One Planet Living framework to inform their business operations, while others, such as our main retail partner B&Q, have formally adopted the programme to become endorsed One Planet Companies.

A number of smaller businesses are also keen to adopt sustainable working practices, and we provide online support so they can do this.

BioRegional is working with businesses, charities and other organisations to reduce carbon emissions and become truly sustainable.

What next?

BioRegional aims to transform the operationsandcustomerofferingofthreeOne Planet Companies. We also plan to be working with one or more new retailers, business to business organisations and SMEs.

In 2010-11 BioRegional will begin a follow-on three-year environmental partnership agreement with B&Q, with the aim of enabling the business to become a truly sustainable One Planet Company.

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B&Q One Planet HomeWe are very proud of our close partnership with B&Q, which aims to improve the sustainability of the company and its customers.

In terms of its own operations, B&Q has achieved some impressive results to date. In 2009 B&Q recorded a 16% absolute reduction in carbon emissions against its 2006 baseline. This sets it well on the way to its target of a 90% reduction by 2023.

B&Q is also working to help its customers to achieve One Planet Living through a range of more than 4,000 One Planet Home

Recent highlights

products, accredited by BioRegional, as well as an ecological footprint calculator that we developed. Around 6,000 B&Qstaffhavenowcompletedthe online One Planet Living training module, enabling them tooffercustomersgreenadvice.We have also recently developed a training pack for B&Q’s Eco Advisors: B&Q expects to have 1,700 of these sustainability gurus in place by the end of 2010.

www.diy.com/oneplanethome

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One Planet Action Plan toolkitIn recent years a number of SMEs have asked us to help them with their sustainability strategies. In 2009-10 we road tested our toolkit designed to support such businesses. Some 300 organisations have downloaded the toolkit so far and in 2010-11 we aim for this to grow to more than 1,000.

www.oneplanetvision.org

“In the current financial climate any help or advice to cut costs is very welcome. If this also results in reducing energy usage it’s a win win situation” Julio Evaristo Abajo, Hackbridge business owner

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BioRegional Charcoal CompanyEstablished in 1995, the BioRegional Charcoal Company (BRCC) began producing locally sourced charcoal as an alternative to imported charcoal sold by national retailers.Aswellashavingthebenefitofusingtraditionalwoodlandmanagementtechniques – which encourage biodiversity – our regional charcoal production reduces carbon emissions by a massive 85% compared with imports.

In 2009 BRCC sold 48,000 bags of charcoal as wellasfirewoodandkindlingtomajorBritishretailers. The company is now exploring the idea of establishing a regional scale charcoal production plant producing 1,000-2,000 tonnes a year, helping the business grow further.

www.bioregionalhomegrown.co.uk

The LaundryThe Laundry makes recycling cheap and easy for SMEs in central London. Its local recycle-and-buy-back loop reduces the eco-impact of paper use by 92% .This year we sold the businesstoBPRGroup,whereitwillbenefitfrom the support of a larger company while maintaining its bold branding and high standard of service.

www.bprlaundry.co.uk

Enterprises to deliver sustainabilityBioRegional takes an entrepreneurial and business approach to sustainability. Having envisaged and then developed successful solutions, one way to see them thrive and grow is to establish “spin out” enterprises. BioRegional hasestablishedfiveassociatedcompanies.

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BioRegional ForestryBioRegional Forestry grew out of BioRegional’s urban forestry work and now provides a sustainable forestry service across South East England. Customers include Richmond Park, The National Trust and the London Borough of Croydon.

Thisyeartheteamhasfocusedondevelopingitsfirewoodbusiness-agrant from the South East England Development Agency will enable thecompanytosupplymorelogswithgreaterefficiency.

www.logsforlondon.co.uk

BioRegional MiniMillsBioRegional MiniMills was established in 1997 to develop a clean, small-scale paper pulp mill capable of using local and non-wood resources as part of a vision for sustainable local paper production. This would reduce pressure on world forests and ease water pollution.

Trials at the Manchester pilot plant in 2009-10 tested the small-scale process we are developing to deal with the liquid waste produced by all pulp mills. It operated for up to a whole shift, with energy and chemicals recovered from the waste for re-use in the mill. During 2010-11 the team will focus on achieving continuous operation. We aim to roll out the technology to small mills in the UK and to Asia where water pollution from paper mills is a serious environmental issue.

Enterprises to deliver sustainability

BioRegional Quintain LtdBioRegional Quintain Ltd was established in 2005 to lead on building sustainable communities using the One Planet Living principles. During 2009-10 the team completed the multi-award winning 172 apartment One Brighton community (see page 10) and began work on Riverside One, a 750 home, mixed use development in Middlesbrough in the North East of England. Both projects have inspired the local authorities concerned to use the One Planet Living approach across their boroughs (see page 3).

www.bioregional-quintain.com

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One Planet Food

In 2009 BioRegional won funding for one of only eight Beacon Big Lottery Local Food Projects. With matched funding One Planet Food was launched.

The project aims to increase access to local food in Sutton. We work with local residents, community groups, suppliers and producers, encouraging them to grow their own produce and to shop locally.

This major sustainable food project includes:

a mobile food market – The Veg Van – which takes •fresh produce directly to customers

a local network linking local food producers, and integrating fresh food into local •schools and hospitals

One Planet ProductionBioRegional takes a deep green and visionary approach to developing mainstream sustainable production systems and supply chains. We are currently focusing on three important sectors – food, energy and construction – which together comprise just under half of a UK resident’s carbon and eco footprint.

Recent highlights

a community farm producing fresh fruit and •vegetables for local delivery

a wide-reaching sustainability education •programme, delivered by our project partner EcoLocal, on food growing and healthy eating.

www.vegvan.org.uk www.suttoncommunityfarm.org.uk

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Renewable energy supply chains

This year we gained government funding for a project to stimulate London’s demand for good quality woodfuel - in particular wood chip.

To this end, we have been supporting a company in North London to develop a woodfuel processing and supply hub and have been working with woodland owners and tree surgeons as producers of wood. Our team has also helped local authorities to develop plans to install biomass boilers and purchase local woodfuel.

Reducing waste in construction

Construction materials make up one of our biggest waste streams. Over the year, we worked with the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) on a campaign to halve waste to landfillby2012.Sofar250constructionfirmshavejoined.

We also worked with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to develop an online tool to help designers design out waste.

By providing an on-line toolkit, our newly christened Re:BUILD initiative has helped organisations across the UK to set up new

projects selling reused construction materials to the trade and public.

The Re:BUILD team has also partnered with ARC, a furniture and appliance reclamation organisation based in Croydon. Here we are working on the ground

with ARC to expand into collecting and selling reused building materials locally.

www.reiy.net

What next?

In the coming year we will help to develop a holistic One Planet Food strategy for Sutton borough, work on plans to deliver zero carbon energy to Hackbridge and see the new Croydon Re:BUILD store open for business.

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Communicating One Planet Living

BioRegional’s BedZED exhibition centre and tour programme allows us to share our experiences with the public, inspiring them to live sustainable lives.

During 2009-10 around 2,500 visitors from across the world came to our centre at the eco-village. Recent funding from the Big Lottery will enable us to improve facilities for disabled visitors. Meanwhile, we trained more than 350 people at our continuing professional development workshops.

Everyone has a role to play in living sustainably. Our communications programme helps individuals, organisations and communities better understand the impact of their actions. Our policy work helps those in power to grasp the opportunity to create sustainable living today.

Consulting services

The BioRegional team continues to work on a variety of projects for government, private and voluntary sector clients in the UK, helping them to adopt and maintain sustainable practices and procedures.

We are proud of our client satisfaction rate: our survey showed that 100% of respondents are keen to work with us again.

www.bioregional.com

Exhibition centre and training

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Communicating One Planet Living

Influencing policy

We have been working with the London Sustainable Development Commissionto publish research on how London can achieve a 90% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. This thought-provokingreportisthefirstofitskindto deal with consumption-based carbon impacts on a city-wide scale and has already led to a policy change: the Mayor has now committed to develop methodologies to measure and report on consumption-based carbon emissions.

Furtherfromhome,in2009weparticipatedinseveralhighprofileeventsaroundthe world, including the UN’s Copenhagen Climate Conference (COP15). We also presented at the Copenhagen Klimaforum where 650 visitors pledged to make green changes to their lifestyles.

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What next?

BioRegionalwillcontinuetoinfluencepolicyandpractice.Specifically,wewillmake open source tools available on our website, enabling 50,000 individuals and organisations to transform their work and lives by March 2012.

We also aim to bring about three national level policy changes by March 2012, and we plan to build capacity to showcase our solutions at major events such as the 2012 Olympics and the UN World Summit in 2012.

In 2011 we will open the One Planet 2012 Experience at BedZED, an interactive exhibition telling the London 2012 sustainability story. This will move to the Athlete’s Village during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

London 2012

BioRegional has been working closely with London 2012 since 2004 when we wrote the sustainability strategy for London’s winning bid, supported by WWF-UK.

We are now working on the Olympic Park Media Centre, where we are ensuring that sustainability issues are embedded in the construction procurement process

During 2009-10 we advised on a range of aspects, including the venue design, demolition and reuse of the Olympic Park.

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Our Finances in 2009-10

At 31 March 2010 the charity had designated funds totalling £215,378 included within the unrestricted funds balance. These unrestricted designated funds are committedforworkinthenextfinancialyear.Fixedassetstotal£74,624.Thefree reserves end-of-year balance was £572,904, the equivalent to 5.1 months’ unrestricted running costs. This was calculated by excluding unrestricted designatedfundsandfixedassetsfromtheunrestrictedfundstotal.BioRegional’sreserves policy is to have at least three months’ expenditure in unrestricted reserves and to work towards having a contingency of six months.

ThesefiguresareextractedfromBioRegionalDevelopmentGroup’sfullfinancialstatements which have been audited by Mazars LLP Chartered Accountants. For afullunderstandingofthecharity’sfinances,pleaserefertoourfullaccountsavailable at www.bioregional.com or by emailing info@bioregional.com.

Unrestricted Funds

Restricted Funds

Totals 2010

Totals 2009

£ £ £ £INCOMING RESOURCES

Donations and grants 8,781 1,970 10,751 4,252 Gift Aid received from subsidiaries 52,773 - 52,773 183,000 Investment income 1,100 - 1,100 10,155 Primary purpose trading income 572,932 - 572,932 747,855

Charitable activities 192,970 342,714 535,684 380,880 Other income 644,522 - 644,522 527,508

TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 1,473,078 344,684 1,817,762 1,853,650

RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of goods sold and other costs 15,145 - 15,145 41,076 Charitable activities 718,871 876,979 1,595,850 1,777,646 Governance costs 7,203 6,567 13,770 14,775

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 741,219 883,546 1,624,765 1,833,497

NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING)RESOURCES 731,859 (538,862) 192,997 20,153 Transfer between funds (593,828) 593,828 - -

NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 138,031 54,966 192,997 20,153

Fund balances at 1 April 2009 724,875 9,889 734,764 714,611

Fund balances at 31 March 2010 862,906 64,855 927,761 734,764

Reserves

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BioRegional Development GroupBedZED Centre24 Helios RoadWallingtonSM6 7BZUnited Kingdom

t + 44 (0)20 8404 4880f +44 (0)20 8404 4893e info@bioregional.comwww.bioregional.com

Registered Charity No 1041486A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales 2973226

Much of our work would not be possible without the help of our supporters. We would like to thank:

Image credits: Page 10 One Brighton, Crest Nicholson

BioRegional Quintain, image courtesy of

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Page 13 B&Q

Page 19 Andy Aitchison

Page 22 Daniel Gifford

The Ashden Trust, Awards for All, BioRegional Charcoal Company Ltd, BioRegional Quintain Ltd, B&Q, Codding Enterprises, Big Lottery Fund, The Body Shop Foundation, Capital Growth, Chevin Housing, Crest Nicholson, The City Bridge Trust, Cobb Charity, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Defra), Dischma Charitable Trust, The Dulverton Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Mrs Christine Eynon Number 8 Settlement, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Hamamelis Trust, The JJ Charitable Trust, The John and Susan Bowers Fund, The John Ellerman Foundation, LHC, London Borough of Sutton, The London Waste and Recycling Board, London Councils, London and Quadrant Housing, The Mark Leonard Trust, The Naturesave trust, NESTA, Pooran Desai, The Rufford Foundation, The Scotshill Trust, ERDF, SEEDA, The Skoll Foundation, Southern Railways, The St Mary's Charity, Sutton and Merton NHS, Sutton CVS, Technology Strategy Board, Town and Country, Vertigo Sustainable Development Consultants, WWF UK, The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, The Wyndham Trust and WRAP.