1. Sustainability Footprints in SMEs
The Log House People:
Low-Carbon Construction

2. Objectives
Discuss the main sustainability issues at the Log House People
Review the philosophical, cultural, and strategic context of sustainability footprint implementation within Log House People
Discuss the use of the Sustainable Strategic Growth Model and its benefits to the business

3. Log House People designed home
Company Background
Founded in 2008 by Hugh Gourlay and his father Frank Gourlay specializing in the supply and construction of log houses for personal or commercial purposes
Combines a family interest in the building of Log Homes with a concern for the environment
The company is managed from a rented office in Edinburgh and a home office located in Sandyhills, Dumfriesshire that is operated by two full-time employees with additional staff being hired on a project basis
Log House People designed home

4. Industry Competitive Analysis
Domestic buildings contribute 27% of the UK’s GHG emissions
Built environment accounting for 40% of Scotland’s emissions
Construction sector largely dominated by SMEs
Construction SMEs have a role in building energy efficient, “Zero Carbon” homes, creation of green jobs thereby promoting the government’s low carbon strategy
Decline in the sector’s GVA contribution to the Scottish economy from £11.1 billion in 2008 to £8.7 billion in 2009
Scottish construction sector is projected to grow by 2.4% annually

5. What are the main environmental aspects at the Log House People
Environmental Aspect is an element of an organisations activities, products and services that can interact with the environment Implementing a carbon management system shows commitment to protecting the environment and helps monitor and improve management of environmental aspects

6. What are the main environmental aspects at the Log House People
Pressures to decarbonize the construction sector will lead to “green washing” as competitors seek to raise the profile
Resistance to adopt low carbon technology
Decision making influenced by age group
Cement production is a contributor to global GHG emissions 1.8 Gt CO₂ in 2005
Pro-biodiversity enterprises (PBEs) face challenges around the human resource retention, management of knowledge, networking, and the acquisition of technical expertise

7. What are the main environmental aspects at the Log House People
DEFRA compliant GHG report and included emissions from the following aspects:
Scope 1 – Fleet fuel consumption and Gas
Scope 2 – Electricity use at both offices
Scope 3 – Staff commuting, Procurement, Water consumption, Waste disposal
The following Scope 3 emissions were excluded Customer travel and Supplier travel

8. What are the main environmental aspects at the Log House People
EMISSION SOURCE
ACTIVITY DATA
EMISSIONS
Scope 1
Fleet Fuel Consumption
Gas Consumption
Amount
Unit
kgCO2e/yr
% total
9509
498
miles/yr
KWh/yr
4,044
3,942
102
47.7
46.5
1.2
Scope 2
Electricity Consumption
5247
2,855
33.6
Scope 3
Procurement
Office Waste
Water Use
Staff Commuting
1,412
260
31,943
£/yr
Kg/yr
Liters/yr
Miles/yr
1,587
1468 75 43
18.7 9
0.9
0.5
Total
8,486 kgCO2e/yr
8.5 tCO2e/yr

9. Sustainable by design “No. 2 River Park”

10. Sustainable by design “No. 2 River Park”
Energy efficiency and carbon friendliness are USPs of Log homes
Timber during its growth as a tree exceeds the emissions that arise as a result of the harvesting and transportation
Management commissioned an SAP assessment of building design ‘No.2 Riverview Park’ looking at the HVAC systems dimension, volume, fabric performance and location

11. Sustainable by design “No. 2 River Park”
Energy assessment results were itemized in two categories: Energy Efficiency rating in kilowatt hours per square meter per year Environmental Impact rating calculated in carbon dioxide emissions per square meter per year with performance being expressed into performance bands in a descending scale from A ( highest) to G (lowest)

12. Sustainable by design “No. 2 River Park”
The proposed ‘No.2 Riverview Park’ design configuration yielded an Energy Efficiency Rating of C-80 (95KWh/m²/yr) Environmental Impact Rating of C-78 (22.05 kg CO₂/m²/yr) which was below the performance level of an identical dwelling using Scottish Building Standards 2009 data

13. Sustainable by design “No. 2 River Park”
To enhance the energy performance:
Building insulation was improved
Energy efficient lighting use was increased from 50% to 100%
Subsequent SAP assessment indicated improved performance with Energy Efficiency Rating of B-82 (89KWh/m²/yr) and an Environmental Impact Rating of C-80 (18.13 kg CO₂/m²/yr)

14. Stakeholder Perceptions
“I got involved because I felt that it was apart from anything else a useful marketing tool utilizing some sort of ecotourism banner or that you do care about the environment and equally because I have a belief that we should be taking responsibility for our carbon footprint and our actions” Director
“Just measuring it on its own is not useful it depends on what people do with the data once its measured if its compiled you can almost put into a league table … become part of the accounting process for Companies House so you can publicly see how companies were performing then it can be useful tool. Just by measuring it is useful to other people in the organisation brings their awareness to the subject. I think national monitoring or some kind of database … would be more useful” Director

15. Sustainable Strategic Growth Model – Log House People Case study
Present Sustainable Innovation
FUTURE SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
Solar power, CHP Plant, local timber, recycled wood, water/ social footprint
LEARN
DEVELOP
IMPLEMENT
OPTIMISE
Acquire knowledge
External support from the Crichton Carbon Centre
Build Capability
Nomination of a carbon champion
Develop Policy
Environment Policy and Carbon Management Policy developed
Implement Policy
Benchmark GHG/carbon footprint report
Adopt Continuous Improvement
New Log House design that will improve building efficiency
Renew & Reward commitment to sustainability
Annual GHG Reports
Pursuit of ISO 14001/BREEAM/ eco labeling
Sustainability Envelope
Future Sustainability Barrier

16. References
Chapter 8 Sustainability Footprints in SMEs