One of Europe's leading property development and management companies behind shopping centres from Aberdeen to Southampton, including Brent Cross in north London, Hammerson was the first such property company to include green leases. More than 370 of these agreements, which require energy performance to be monitored and the impact on the environment minimised, have been signed since 2007.

Measuring, monitoring and reporting are the foundation of how this firm operates its environmental management. Rigorous annual target-setting is focused on reducing its carbon footprint, maximising the efficient use of natural resources, reducing waste and increasing recycling.

Two initiatives were a switch to low-energy lighting and the purchase of a waste compacting machine, which alone have cut carbon emissions by more than 3,000 tons a year and equate to savings of £500,000 for Hammerson and its occupiers.

A sustainability implementation plan is in place for every new development and all employees, advisers and contractors are provided with information on environmental procedures, as well as training. Hammerson has also set out a responsible procurement policy for its suppliers. The company is well run, according to staff, who give it a green score of 80% in our survey. Workers think Hammerson is getting better at protecting the environment (88%), that the environmental initiatives it invests in are worthwhile (82%), and they are clued up on where to put waste for recycling (95%), as well as what waste goes where (87%).

The company's other projects include a new bike park at the Highcross shopping centre in Leicester, which will feature secure bike racks, lockers and showers, and it will also monitor 104 electric car points, as part of its green travel plan commitment.

As you would imagine there are plenty of showers and changing rooms for those who cycle to work at Hammerson (97%, the fourth highest score) and consequently few people travel to work by car (giving a top five green score of 94%). However, the firm gets a green score of just 18% for using air conditioning in the summer to keep the office cool, indicating heavy use. Even so, staff say that people in their teams think green (78%).

Hammerson offsets all carbon emissions at its head office including business travel and commuting and an internal sustainable initiative programme has encouraged staff to come up with creative ideas.

The firm, which employs 175 staff at 47 sites, also encourages workers to get involved in its community programme (74%).

It is currently liaising with De Montfort University to provide a learning and educational facility for students and tenants to develop, test, measure, monitor and report on solutions to deliver new sustainable fit-outs for buildings. Hammerson implemented a waste management programme at Bristol's Cabot Circus shopping centre to manage the fit-out waste, which resulted in a saving of £600,000 and increased waste recycling to 85%-95%.