One Planet Communities for Developers

“It's time to stop planning for energy efficiency and start planning for zero impact. It's time to move past 'green' and embrace truly sustainable development. One Planet Communities has given us the framework to do just that.”
Geof Syphers, Chief Sustainability Officer, CODDING ENTERPRISES

As a developer with an interest in differentiating your product, green buildings are a sound hedge against the current market trends. Yet with LEED Silver buildings now mandatory in the District, and with over 250 participants in the LEED-ND pilot across the country (and more on the way), will your product really stand apart in such a crowded field?

The One Planet Communities approach can help your firm create an enduring legacy that will over-shadow other green developments well into the future - and secure your firm's visionary market leadership.

"Test-driving" deep sustainability

Our approach begins with a Sustainability Action Plan workshop with your design teamthat culminates in the creation of a robust Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). Not every development we work with can ultimately commit to all of the targets laid out in the SAP. Those that do qualify for endorsement as official One Planet Communities. Our clients that don't achieve endorsement still make good use of innovations in the Sustainability Action Plan, implementing only those strategies that fit with business goals. Read more in the SAP Process section below.

What does the One Planet Communities framework offer that LEED doesn't?

1. Membership in an elite network of the world's most avanced, high-profile green developments - and the benefits of learning from these innovative market leaders.
2. An approach for true sustainability. If every building at Poplar Point achieved the mandatoryLEED Silver rating, the project would still emit 140,000 tons of greenhouse gasses each year from building energy alone by drawing energy from PEPCO's coal-fired energy infrastructure. 33.6 million trees would need to be planted to sequester this carbon - a forest almost 50% larger than the entire District of Columbia.Our targets call for emissions from building energy to be zero.
3. We ask design teams to focus on performance, not prescriptive points and bureaucratic reporting requirements.
4. Early endorsement. While the LEED rating isn't earned until after commissioning, we vigorously promote the project with media campaigns long before your sales center opens.

What will BioRegional add to the capabilities of your team?

1. Our track record working on advanced sustainability projects, from the London 2012 Olympics to Masdar City - a $15bn project in Abu Dhabi for 50,000 residents by 2015 with no cars, no emissions, no garbage - and no oil.
2. 75% of household emissions are from sectors like food, waste, and transportation. BioRegional are the world's foremost experts in designing and managing neighborhoods to make sustainable lifestyles convenient and practical.
3. As an agile non-profit, we create beneficial alliances and goodwill with government, community, media, and donors.
4. We work "bioregionally" to incubate supply chains that meet more of our every day needs from local/renewable sources - boosting the local economy and green-collar jobs.
5. In successfully applying 17th-century Newtonian "siloed thinking" to solving civilization's problems, we've created even bigger problems, like climate change. Traditional projects are organized for efficiency, with engineers, architects, contractors, and property managers responsible only for project components. BioRegional applies 20th-century systems to cut across silos in a Sustainability Integrator role, embedding green guidelines and practices into every project document, contract, and business plan.
   

The Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) Process

The SAP process' flexible framework brings design team members and key stakeholders together to hypothesize deeply ambitious performance targets for social and environmental sustainability, tailored to the unique context of the site. Because the Sustainability Action Plan focuses on performance goals, rather than points, it is possible to tap into the ingenuity of the design team more deeply. Green building rating systems such as LEED play an important supporting role.

1. If needed, help the developer select a masterplanning team that has the capability to deliver on an ambitious One Planet vision.
2. Prepare a Brief which describes the context in D.C. for each of the Ten One Planet Principles, identifying potential partners, strengths, gaps, best practices, and case studies.
3. Professional facilitation of a 2-day workshop that engages team members, consultants, and appropriate stakeholders in the co-creation of a plan for each of the Ten Principles. The creative process draws on local expertise to further identify potential partners, knowledge gaps, site strengths and weaknesses, key strategies, potential milestones, and performance indicators. BioRegional will employ knowledge mapping techniques to capture outputs. A champion for each of the Ten Principles is selected for the next stage. At the end of the workshop, participants will feel a strong sense of ownership in the sustainability vision and have a clear understanding of next steps.
4. BioRegional then lead a collaborative writing process, working with identified champions and consultants to refine the outputs from the workshop to create a comprehensive, realistic plan that will meet the rigorous requirements of One Planet Communities . This is generally a 2-month process.
5. The completed plan is then reviewed by a panel of BioRegional's scientists in London, UK, for final approval.

Each principle has associated detailed targets and methods for achieving them. We have established common international targets which explicitly state the minimum standards to be achieved by any One Planet Community.

General Information for Developers

1. Anybody can use the One Planet Communities framework. The 10 One Planet Principles can be applied to a project with the aim of reducing its ecological footprint.
2. The ecological footprint of construction can be reduced by such measures as sourcing materials locally and seeking out reclaimed and low-impact materials.
3. The ecological footprints of the residents that will live there can be reduced by increasing the efficiency of resource use within the homes and incorporating green lifestyle elements such as reducing the need for cars.
4. BioRegional's Consulting team provides a range of sustainability consultancy services to companies, organizations and individuals. We can be contacted directly for flexible and innovative solutions for sustainable living and infrastructure development.
5. A development cannot be branded 'One Planet Communities' without the express permission of BioRegional. See The definition of a One Planet Community below.
6. Branded developments have an approved Sustainability Action Plan in place based on the 10 principles.
7. BioRegional's work is focused on specific sites in chosen cities and countries.
8. If you are interested in becoming a One Planet Community developer in DC please contact Barbara Deutsch

Requirements of a One Planet Community

The One Planet Communities program in the United States will be involved in a variety of green community projects, with many achievements - but only a select handfull can be defined as One Planet Communities. For a community to carry the One Planet Community name, use the logos, and be affiliated with other advanced projects in the network they must work with us to meet all of the following criteria:

1. Are to a scale where it becomes technically and financially viable to achieve the targets set out.
2. Are located in or near a major urban centre, close to national policy makers.
3. Plan using Ten Principles. The Ten One Planet Principles keep developers working towards big-picture, long-term environmental and social improvements in every aspect of daily life. These principles act as a kind of "green DNA", embedded in every building design, construction contract, and business plan.
4. Set ambitious targets. Zero Carbon and Zero Waste targets require developers to eliminate100% of building emissions and 98% of garbage going to landfill by 2020. For the other 8 Principles, developers must set "stretch targets" that go well beyond established best practices such as the LEED green building rating system. These targets and the strategies to hit them are enshrined in a Sustainability Action Plan.
5. Aim for true sustainability with ecological footprinting. Ecological Footprinting is a valuable tool for measuring over-consumption of renewable natural resources in a way that is easy to understand and communicate. One Planet Communities use the tool to in design and planning, guiding reductions in the total ecological footprint of residents to a truly sustainable, "one planet" level.
6. Encourage healthy, sustainable lifestyles. Ecological footprint analysis done by BioRegional in the UK has found that the lifestyle choices of households account for 54% of their total greenhouse gas emissions. One Planet Communities make lifestyle changes more practical for families - for example, by offering healthy ready-made meals supplied by local agricultural producers, or by making car-sharing (e.g. Zipcar) just as convenient as owning a private vehicle. Developers may provide a "sustainability concierge" and social marketing programs to help transform behaviors - housed in a "One Planet Center".
7. Create a One Planet Center, centrally located, that would include a show-home, green products store, sign-up for community agriculture, and sustainability education. This resource centre will also target planners, policy makers and design professionals.
8. Monitor & manage until 2020. Most developers build homes and move on. One Planet Communities require developers to stay involved in property management, monitoring performance and making adjustments to keep the project on track until 2020. Sustainability must be the central focus in all property management including rentals, sales, leasing, cleaning, maintenance, grounds-keeping, etc. And the developer must allow BioRegional to conduct annual independent audits of environmental performance until 2020.
9. Are exemplary and replicable.

Common International Targets for One Planet Communities

The table below summarizes the One Planet Communities (OPC) common international targets which aim to be achieved in the flagship communities by 2020. Examples of OPC project specific targets are provided using examples from the UK and Portugal project-specific Sustainability Action Plans.

Principle	Common International Targets, by 2020	Common Targets - Summary
Zero Carbon	All buildings and structures should be zero carbon (powered by renewable energy), preferably from day 1 of occupation but certainly by 2020 at the latest. Renewable energy can either be generated on site or purchased from a dedicated off-site source representing new renewable energy capacity (so that we are adding to total renewable energy capacity, not diverting it from other uses).Country specific agreements on the profile to meet the 2020 target can be negotiated, but the profile must demonstrate rapid and clear progress towards the zero carbon target, especially given current rapid advances in the introduction of renewable energy technology globally. All buildings and structures are designed or retrofitted to be energy efficient to country-specific best practice standards. Where such standards don't exist, apply a suitable standard from a neighbouring country within the region. Although nuclear fission may be a bridging technology to reduce climate change in the medium term, it is not considered a renewable energy source for the purposes of OPC. Similarly, although use of fossil fuels with new technologies may be a useful way or reducing carbon dioxide emissions, e.g., on-site gas Combined Heat and Power systems, such solutions are not considered suitable for the purposes of demonstrating OPC, even if the resulting fossil fuel emissions from buildings are offset by carbon sequestration (contrast with Sustainable Transport).	All buildings and their fittings and fixtures must be energy efficient and supplied by renewable energy.
Zero Waste	Long term the aim is to "eliminate the concept of waste". By 2020, the following targets must be achieved: at least 70% of waste by weight generated by residents and commercial operations within the developments should be reclaimed, composted or recycled; per capita waste production should be monitored and targets set for reduction in per capita waste clean energy from waste plant may form part of the zero waste strategy provided careful monitoring of emissions is in place and international best practice standards on operations are employed ideally no more than 2% of waste by weight should be sent to landfill by 2020 country based best practice standards in waste minimisation during construction should be employed Country based agreements on the profile to meet the 2020 target can be negotiated, but the profile must demonstrate a rapid and clear progression to the zero waste target especially given current rapid advances in the introduction of waste processing globally.	At least 70% of waste by weight to be reclaimed, recycled or composted and ideally no more than 2% should be sent to landfill.
Sustainable Transport	Country specific differences and locational issues mean that it is difficult to set a common international numerical target. Most importantly, whereas industrialised countries will need to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) from transport, poor countries may need to increase per capita CO2 emission from transport, at least in the short to medium term. However, in all cases, the EF arising from transport has to be consistent with the overall EF target of achieving One Planet Living (i.e., living within an EF of 1.5 hectares per person).BioRegional and WWF will agree sustainable transport targets on a case by case basis. These targets will be based on a transport CO2 per capita and will need to show reduction over an agreed regional benchmark and progression year on year towards a "One Planet Living" level. Given the CO2 contribution from transport in industrialized countries, these targets are likely to be very stretching. A simple sampling process for residents to monitor against this target must be developed. Targets for travel within the site and to and from the site need to be set, in particular for projects with a major tourist component. For developments with a tourist component, CO2 per person per night can be used as an indicator.CO2 emissions from all remaining transport should preferably be offset by a certified carbon sequestration scheme, ideally meeting the WWF Gold Standard reference. For tourist projects, all air travel to and from the site must be offset by a certified carbon sequestration programme. Moreover, no OPC partner may formally oppose introduction of taxes on aviation fuel.	CO2 emissions of persons travelling to and from the site and within it must be reduced relative to an agreed regional benchmark. Ideally all unavoidable CO2 emissions from transport should be offset by a certified carbon sequestration scheme.
Sustainable Materials	Via the common process guidelines detailed below, country-specific targets should be determined to increase and optimise the use of local, reclaimed, renewable, recycled and low environmental impact materials for construction and estate management phases of the development.	Use of local, reclaimed, renewable, recycled and low environmental impact materials in construction and estate management should be increased and optimised.
Local and Sustainable Food	Healthy diets high in local, seasonal, organic and low environmental impact foods should be promoted, given their consistency with a One Planet Living EF. By 2020, a significant proportion of food should be locally sourced from low environmental impact farming with reduced packaging from a radius of 50 to 100 km from the centre of the site. Given the importance of food to eco-footprints, stretching targets are essential to achieving OPC. Specific targets will be set via the process guidelines detailed below, but a minimum target of 25% of food by weight must meet these criteria, and ideally 50% of food by weight. Key Performance Indicators should be set for certified organic and fair trade food. Country specific profiles to hit this target need to be agreed.	Healthy diets should be promoted and minimum targets achieved for supply of organic or low-environmental impact food and local sourcing.
Sustainable Water	Country-specific best practice standards in water efficiency and recycling must be agreed, following the process guidelines detailed in section 4.3.2 above. These targets will need to be stricter in areas with water shortage problems. All residents must have access to safe potable water. Projects in areas of flood risk should have an acceptable 100 year flood risk strategy.	Water efficiency and recycling must be promoted in line with country-specific best practice.
Natural Habitats and Wildlife	The development must make a net positive contribution to local native biodiversity and natural habitats. Any key species must be identified and monitored, as part of a local conservation plan. A site-specific action plan to maintain, enhance or revive valuable aspects of biodiversity must be elaborated, following the process guidelines detailed below. At least one opportunity must be identified to regenerate degraded local natural resource stocks (soils, trees, fisheries, etc) and a plan implemented. At least 2 case studies should be showcased, one for biodiversity and one for natural resource stocks.	Local biodiversity and natural resource stocks must be increased.
Culture and Heritage	A site specific action plan to maintain, enhance or revive valuable aspects of local culture and heritage (including anything from local buildings and building techniques to local produce or arts and crafts) must be produced, following the process guidelines detailed below. At least 2 case studies should be showcased.	Valuable aspects of local culture and heritage must be maintained, enhanced or revived.
Equity and Fair Trade	OPC communities are expected to improve the welfare of selected disadvantaged populations, whether on site or elsewhere. Country-specific priorities of equity and fair trade must be identified and targets set, following the common process guidelines detailed below. Where products are imported from developing countries, targets should be set for the proportion that must be certified fair trade [1]. At least 2 case studies should be showcased.	Targets must be set to boost the local economy, notably in disadvantaged areas, and to ensure a set ratio of imported goods are fair trade certified.
Health and Happiness	A plan for promoting the health and happiness of residents must be produced, building on emerging findings from happiness research, following the process guidelines detailed below. Residents' satisfaction levels and concerns must be regularly monitored. Partners should also explore the feasibility of meeting UN standards for health, security and environmental quality. At least 2 examples of strategies to promote health and happiness must be showcased.	Health and happiness of residents must be promoted based on emerging findings from 'happiness' research and periodic residents' surveys

For some principles, such as 'zero carbon' and 'zero waste', there are clear quantitative common international targets. For other principles, such as 'sustainable transport' and 'culture and heritage', targets need to be set for a given community based on best practices, local opportunities and constraints via a reasonable process - and will be compared carefully to the North American baseline case, which is represented by the ambitious targets set by the Sonoma Mountain Village project in California. This process should be straightforward and readily incorporated into the task of drafting the community's sustainability action plan (SAP). Steps in the process of setting community-specific targets should ideally include:

1. Set the project in national context using standardised datasets (e.g. ecological footprint, socio-economic indicators, carbon emissions, etc).
2. Generate any critical community-level data for principles in question, using existing data or proxy data where possible.
3. Convene meeting of key local and national actors (government, NGOs, etc) to brainstorm on priorities  : prospects for the community, ideally as an integral part of the SAP production process.
4. Work with partners to develop SAP internally first, and then in consultation with external stakeholders agreeing community targets.
5. Review SAP with BioRegional Technical Review Committee for approval and official One Planet Community endorsement.

To re-iterate, BioRegional reserve the right to have the final say on whether the project can be OPC endorsed. By keeping in close touch with BioRegional, it should be possible to avoid any "surprises" in this process.

[1] 'Fair trade' certified products are assured to meet certain social and environmental criteria, most notably that often poor primary producers receive a wage that affords them a decent standard of living, including having access to sufficient food throughout the year and being able to pay school fees for their children.