Committed to Improving Biodiversity – Making a Positive Impact to Local Ecology at Broomfield Hospital
Human activity on the planet has negatively disrupted the balance of biodiversity through overexploitation of resources, climate change and land use. Bouygues Energies and Services (E&S), an Equans company, recognises that the built environment is one of the biggest contributors to the worlds CO2 emissions and we have an important role to play in minimising our environmental footprint. In turn, we are committed to reducing our own and our clients' carbon emissions by providing solutions for safeguarding ecosystems and combatting the loss of greenfield sites. One of these solutions being the creation of a 'Biodiversity Garden' at Broomfield Hospital.
In the Autumn of 2021, we launched our ‘Together Further Strategy’ which focuses on four major themes: Climate, Digital, Services and People. As a business, we believe in leading by example, that is why under our Climate pillar we are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint as well as helping our clients meet their carbon reduction targets.
Some of the key focuses we have when it comes to biodiversity involves monitoring our air pollution and aiming to reduce our carbon footprint (CO2). Protecting trees, plants and wildlife and mitigating invasive species are other key priorities as well as accounting for agricultural pollution, respecting natural regeneration cycles.
To help uphold our biodiversity and environmental values, we have implemented Ecosite which is our own internal awards system. Ecosite establishes a formal approach and set of guides to help deliver a focused and consistent high level of environment management company wide.
In collaboration with the client, our 2022 Ecosite champions at Broomfield Hospital, have been undertaking a wellbeing-themed biodiversity project. In May, the hospital opened their very own 'Biodiversity Garden' dedicated to improving the natural habitat available to wildlife around the facility. The garden features 216 CO2 absorbing and wildlife attracting plants purchased with funding received from our CSR committee. The garden also boasts a spectacular bumble bee 'bug hotel' entitled 'Hotel Buzz' which was designed by Adam Ledra, a student at Broomfield Primary School and was built by Lee Ponting, a carpenter at Bouygues E&S, an Equans company .
As well as the bees and butterflies who benefit from the new garden at Broomfield Hospital, the space is also being utilised as a wellbeing area for patients and physio sessions, promoting recovery and mental health.
In the months of hard work leading up to the garden opening, the team at Broomfield Hospital worked closely with both the local primary school and the client throughout the project, demonstrating the collaborative and community approach that is at the heart of our core values. Furthermore, to ensure we continue to have a positive impact on the environment, local communities and our clients' end users, there are future plans to expand the biodiversity initiative across more of our sites.
Nikki Mortimer, Performance Administrator at Broomfield Hospital, commented:
"Broomfield's Biodiversity Garden means a lot to me. I have enjoyed working on the project from idea to fruition, sharing time with some inspiring pupils at Broomfield Primary School and the wonderful team throughout the company and the Trust. It is lovely to see the area being enjoyed by patients and staff alike."
As the bug hotel project was such a success at Broomfield Primary, the Broomfield Hospital site team worked with Redriff Primary School and held a second 'bug hotel' competition this summer. The winner was a beautiful butterfly design selected by Barry Coleman, Contract Director, Glynn Newby, Operations Director and Nicole Fox, Executive Management Personal Assistant from Bouygues E&S, an Equans company, alongside members of the School Council. The butterfly bug hotel will be built and installed in the near future.
Further funding from our CSR team has been granted to help create a wellbeing outdoor teaching area at Broomfield Primary School. To assist with the installation of the new space, the site team will use some of their paid volunteering days. The space has been fitted with a sheltered reading corner, a quiet space built with children with learning disabilities in mind, and an outdoor staging area made out of recycled scaffold boards. Water butts have also been added to the space so the students and teachers can recycle rainwater, and planters and a green space will be installed to help absorb CO2 from the nearby school bus stop.
Another successful biodiversity project that we have funded and installed was a 'Memorial Garden' at the University of West London. We intend to extend their support by continuing to utilise their available volunteer days to help maintain and to assist on any future projects.
Amelle Mestari, Director of Procurement and Sustainable Development, concludes:
"These Biodiversity projects are great examples of how we advanced our biodiversity agenda in 2021 through implementation of several governance initiatives to ensure that all our sites can respond to ecological challenges. As a result, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to preserving green spaces, providing new habits for wildlife, and reducing our clients carbon footprint."
