Net Zero
UK Sustainability Report
savills uk 2025
Welcome
Savills Sustainability Strategy is anchored around three key themes of Climate, Culture and Community. By aligning our strategy with these focus areas, we reinforce our commitment to minimise environmental impact, create opportunities to deliver meaningful social value and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
2025 UK Sustainability Highlights
James Sparrow
Our latest UK Sustainability Report highlights the progress we are making in embedding sustainability across the services we deliver to clients and our own operations. In 2025, we reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions in line with our science‑based targets, while enhancing our approach to understanding and addressing Scope 3 emissions across our supply chain through engagement with our supply chain partners. Alongside our environmental commitments, we remain firmly focused on our people and local communities, nurturing a culture where everyone can thrive and creating lasting social value at a local level. This report provides an overview of our continued commitment to embedding sustainability throughout our business.
Scope 1 & 2 emissions decreased 28% year on year and reduced 62% compared with our baseline year 2019
Engaged with 88 of our key suppliers around carbon emissions and reduction
‘Best Project or Collaboration’ at the Society of Digital Engineering (SDE) Awards 2025 for the innovative digital workflow, Carbon Pioneer
Donated and fundraised £88,000 for LandAid, in 2025
Planted 20 trees, 480 hedgerow whips, 1,500 bulbs, and collected survival data on 78 trees across 8 sites in partnership with The Tree Council
Contributed 11,400 hours to initiatives that deliver social value
Engaged over 5,000 individuals through educational outreach initiatives
One in three UK employees are now part of a Diversity and Inclusion network
Received the highest level of recognition from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for commitment to employing and supporting veterans and active service personnel
Over 500 inclusion allies in the business
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This report provides a snapshot of sustainability initiatives undertaken by Savills UK and its subsidiaries. For further information on activity across the Savills Group, including our approach to climate‑related risks. Please refer to the Plc Reports & Accounts
Our clients
Savills recognises the urgent need to address the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to a greener, safer and more resilient economy.
We are committed to minimising the environmental impacts of our operations, effectively managing climate‑related risks and working collaboratively with our clients, suppliers and local communities to support the delivery of a more sustainable future. Savills Plc is committed to reaching net zero across its operations (scope 1 and 2) by 2030 and across its value chain (scope 3) by 2040. This means reducing the emissions associated with heating, lighting and powering our offices, as well as fuel used in company owned and leased vehicles, by 2030. Any residual emissions will only be offset as a final measure, if required. Savills UK is a signatory of the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Building Commitment.
Our Journey to Net Zero
Separately from our net zero commitment, Savills Plc’s near-term decarbonisation targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative. These include:
A commitment to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 72% by 2030 from a 2019 base year
A commitment to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services by 51.6% per million GBP of value added by 2030 from a 2022 base year
Savills UK scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2025 totalled 530 tonnes CO2e, a 62% decrease compared with our baseline year, 2019 and a 28% year on year reduction. Our scope 1 & 2 GHG calculations underwent a third party assurance process. We remain committed to green energy procurement with 88% of our electricity supply from green or Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) energy supplies.
We continue to advance our property related decarbonisation efforts through a series of initiatives with notable progress in 2025, including:
Optimisation of comms‑room cooling by increasing air‑conditioning setpoints to 24°C, reducing energy consumption across 39 offices
97% adoption of laptops over desktop PCs, significantly lowering individual energy demand
Converted an additional 3,642 desks from dual‑monitor setups to single curved screens with plug‑in laptops, cutting energy use per workstation by 46% and bringing the total to 6,142 desks upgraded
Completed lighting surveys across 25 London offices, with upgrade works scheduled to progress throughout 2026
Advanced the rollout of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems
Transitioned our Henley and Cirencester offices away from gas
We are actively strengthening our approach to measuring, and reducing our scope 3 emissions. In 2025 Savills UK saw a 3% increase in scope 3 emissions compared to 2024. This was caused by an increase in capital goods expenditure associated with refurbishment costs. Our Business Travel Policy is aligned with the sustainable travel hierarchy. To better understand commuting behaviours, we launched an employee commuter survey and continue to support low carbon travel through our electric vehicle (EV) and Cycle to Work schemes. We have also introduced a new Net Zero at Savills e learning module, providing a clear call to action and ensuring all colleagues understand their role in achieving our net zero ambitions.
Savills UK is working collaboratively with service partners to define shared sustainability expectations, formalised through the Savills Plc Responsible Supplier Charter. During 2025, we engaged with 88 suppliers around carbon emissions and reduction. Following the introduction of the Simpler Recycling legislation in March 2025, Savills UK carried out a comprehensive review of our waste management practices across the office portfolio. Several offices have already introduced additional waste streams, such as coffee cup recycling and soft plastic collections. We partnered with one of our waste contractors to deliver an educational “Waste Pop Up” event in one of our London office hubs and continue to roll this out in 2026.
Savills UK Scope 1 & 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Scope 1 and 2 emissions for 2024 have been restated as new refrigerant data was received after our reporting deadline and the estimation methodology was improved on our data collection platform.
Savills UK Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
During 2025 we undertook a project to investigate alternative sets of emissions factors for assessing our procurement and capital investment emissions. Up until this year we have used the Exiobase dataset. After a review we have moved to the SWC dataset1 of emission factors which provides regularly updated and transparent factors. This process resulted in the need to rebaseline and restate our procurement, capital goods and total scope 3 emissions but has not affected our SBTi targets or progress towards them. The re-baselining exercise has resulted in a 5% decrease of our 2022 Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
1 Data is derived from and is made available under the terms of our agreement with Small World Consulting Ltd. SWC_MRIO v3.0 Emissions Factors, released 21.01.26.
Our people
Savills Earth is a cohesive, client-focused collection of services that brings together our global sustainability expertise, insights and technical capabilities.
The team offers streamlined access to a wide range of energy and sustainability consultancy services and support clients with making better decisions; whether that’s reducing carbon, boosting biodiversity, enhancing social value, building resilience, or improving operational sustainability and governance. During 2025 Savills Earth and the wider Sustainability Consultant teams globally provided:
Engaging our Clients
MWh of renewable energy was procured for clients
651,500
Savills Energy teams supported on over 19.5GW of renewable energy or energy storage projects
19.5GW
Forestry teams advised clients on the planting of 2.1 million trees
2.1 million
Sustainable Design projects
52
Fitwel or WELL Certifications and 78 LEED assessments
94
BREEAM in Use Certifications and 36 BREEAM Assessments
205
ESG Due Diligence projects
60
Climate Risk assessments and 48 Water Strategies
Social Value consultancy projects
125
Biodiversity advisory projects
42
Net Zero Carbon advisory projects or pathways
101
Across all UK shopping centres certified under BREEAM In Use, Savills UK completed 40% of assessments in-house, with strong outcomes reflected in 77% achieving a rating of Very Good or above. Savills UK’s impact within residential portfolios is equally significant, supporting the delivery of a substantial proportion of the country’s Excellent-rated assets. For Places for London, we are embedding a practical impact framework into development decision-making, enabling the assessment of societal value alongside financial returns. This provides a consistent basis for prioritising interventions that deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes. The approach integrates welfare-based valuation, KPIs and qualitative insights, supporting more transparent reporting and aligning investment decisions with long-term, place-based value creation.
Savills Earth has delivered the Pendleton, Eccles and Swinton Social Impact Guides for Salford City Council, a landmark project supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered in partnership with Salford Community and Voluntary Services. The guides set a new standard for building capability in the social value economy, giving UK developers and investors practical insights into local strengths, challenges and opportunities to ensure residents benefit from the city’s growth. Developed through extensive engagement with over 300 residents, 61 Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise organisations and local councillors, the guides form a co designed framework that integrates ESG principles and aligns with UKGBC guidance. The result is a practical blueprint for embedding social value across planning, procurement and asset operations, with clear delivery routes and nationally aligned measurement tools. Savills UK’s BREEAM In Use programme continues to deliver measurable performance improvements across the assets assessed on behalf of clients. This year, Savills’ work contributed to the UK’s highest rated retail shopping centre, as well as the top performing office and retail buildings in Greater Manchester and Scotland.
Advised clients on enhanced biodiversity or nature‑based solutions across 30,000+ hectares
30,000 ha
Social Value
Engaging and Empowering our People
Savills UK Sustainability Enablers are a dedicated group of colleagues who champion our sustainability strategy across the UK office network and help strengthen communication and engagement.
New joiners receive onboarding training and in 2025 webinars addressed how to create meaningful social value in local communities and embed sustainability within festive celebrations. With over 150 Sustainability Enablers in the network, there were some fantastic achievements in 2025 including the launch of office specific sustainability newsletters. With the oversight of the UK Sustainability team, the Sustainability Enablers have also trialled, implemented and shared various social enterprises, addressing key issues such as homelessness, food poverty and environment and mental health through procurement.
To mark World Environment Day, Savills UK launched our annual competition, led by the Sustainability Enablers. Colleagues were encouraged to champion local initiatives that support the environment and community with prizes available for the winning entries.
Norwich
Procured catering for client meetings from The Feed. The social enterprise tackles food insecurity through a social supermarket, community café, and support services.
Cambridge
Hosted a Sustainability Week featuring an educational session on pollinators, seed confetti gifts, a sunflower-growing challenge and a breathwork workshop. The office also supported two local charities with donations of clothing and toiletries.
Wimborne
Collaborated with Wimborne War on Waste for a community litter pick, which was praised by local residents and became a quarterly event. The team also completed a waste audit within the office to improve recycling practices and organised a food bank collection.
Our people strategy aims to build a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, feedback and recognition. Savills UK and its subsidiaries are accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, ensuring all colleagues are paid at least the real Living Wage. We are committed to developing individuals, teams and divisions and supporting colleagues to reach their full potential. All employees complete an annual appraisal to review performance, identify training needs, set objectives and request mentoring, with interim reviews enabling progress updates throughout the year. Our UK-wide promotion process is standardised and includes grade specific assessments and interviews. Colleagues have access to mentoring, eLearning modules, promotion guidance and transparent criteria to support progression.
Virtual or classroom courses
In 2025, we delivered:
198
eLearning modules covering sustainability and net zero, personal effectiveness, business development, management, leadership and wellbeing
1,318
We also launched our internally hosted People Management 101 programme for all line managers covering inclusive people management, delegation, constructive conversations, mental health and developing and motivating a team.
People Management 101 programme
Savills UK trained 1,020 managers in 2025
1,020
On average, colleagues completed 10 hours of training per person in 2025
10 hours
UK employees also have access to a range of training modules to support hidden disabilities after Savills UK joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative. UK employees are invited to take part in an annual survey, delivered by an independent provider, to share feedback on the business, culture, values and inclusion.
Culture
People are at the heart of our business. We aim to create a lasting positive social impact on the local communities which we operate in through the way we engage with them, the work we do and the charitable initiatives we undertake to support them.
Each year, a range of social and community-focused initiatives are undertaken to support with achieving these objectives. Every employee is encouraged to create a positive impact through volunteering, fundraising and pro bono activity. In 2025, Savills UK gave 11,400 hours to causes that add social value, facilitated fundraising exceeding £392,000 and corporate donations totalling £356,000. As leaders in the property industry, Savills UK recognise our responsibility to support people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. As a LandAid Impact Partner, we actively contribute to their mission to end youth homelessness across the UK. In 2025, we provided £88,000 in support through a combination of corporate donations and employee‑led fundraising. In February, Savills UK visited the New Horizon Youth Centre (NHYC), the only youth centre in London dedicated to supporting young people out of homelessness. NHYC had received grant funding from our charity partner, LandAid, and the purpose of the visit was to gain deeper insight into how Savills' fundraising efforts directly contribute to LandAid’s mission to end youth homelessness. Colleagues who had supported LandAid’s pro bono programme or taken part in multiple fundraising activities were invited to attend, alongside the Savills UK Managing Director, who also serves as a LandAid Trustee.
Following the visit, Savills UK commenced two pro bono projects for NHYC: providing advice on leasing matters and supporting the redesign and fit‑out of their premises. In total, more than 100 hours of pro bono support have been donated to the charity to date. Savills UK also launched a partnership with The Tree Council as a Tree Partner, supporting their mission to care for trees and safeguard the planet’s future. This partnership enabled colleagues across the country to volunteer at bespoke Savills volunteering days or alongside other participating organisations. Since April 2025, 116 Savills colleagues have contributed 630 volunteering hours across eight events held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hampshire, Leeds, London and Manchester. Activities have taken place in both urban and rural settings, including parks, UK schools and community spaces. Volunteers received training in propagation, formative pruning and tree‑survival assessment and gained practical knowledge in tree planting, tree care, ancient tree importance, species identification and biodiversity. In Hampshire, volunteers supported a research project led by The Tree Council and DEFRA by inspecting three‑year‑old orchard trees using a cutting‑edge data‑tracking application. Additionally, the Savills Forestry team took part in a focus group exploring the future of tree‑survival monitoring and data requirements.
Assessed survival rates of 80 trees
Cared for 78 trees, 10 fruit trees, and 200 hedgerow whips (approx. 40m of hedgerow)
Planted 20 trees and 480 hedgerow whips (approx. 96m of hedgerow)
20
78
80
Cleared invasive rhododendrons, built raised beds for outdoor learning in a primary school and planted 1,500 spring bulbs
1,500
Distributed 66 wheelbarrows of mulch
66
Through our partnership with The Tree Council Savills UK:
Savills is a fantastic partner, supporting our mission to create a tree-filled future. Their team has embraced volunteering in all weathers, from planting and caring for trees to testing our new tree establishment tracker app. We love working with Savills – thank you for your awesome support.
Cat Gransden, Head of Development at The Tree Council
Savills UK Engineering team have routinely been attending prisons in Hertfordshire, Dorset and London to engage ex-offenders, delivering an introduction to Real Estate course with practical skills and qualifications, the course concludes with a job offer upon release for those who complete the course. In 2025 this impacted the lives of 38 people.
We showcase our industry, upskill students (through work shadowing, CV workshops, interview practice and mentoring) and highlight Savills career opportunities. In 2025, we engaged with over 5,000 students across our breadth of educational outreach opportunities. In response to the lack of diversity in the real estate sector, Pathways to Property aims to raise awareness of career opportunities in real estate to underrepresented groups. Savills is a Gold level supporter of the programme and contributed £20,000 to help advance its work. In addition, Savills colleagues dedicated 131 hours, hosted 10 work experience placements, delivered an Insight Day and contributed to the delivery of the programme’s summer school.
Savills with Schools is a state school outreach programme. Through our national office network, we work with local state schools to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Savills with Schools
As a Gold Level partner of the MOD’s Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), Savills UK is proud to support and offer opportunities to service leavers, recognising the value of transferrable skills and experience that a career in the military bring. In addition to national initiatives, Savills UK colleagues support causes significant to their offices and local communities. Recent examples include:
In February 2025, Savills Glasgow concluded a two year partnership with the Beatson Cancer Charity after donating over 400 volunteering hours and over £15,000. The partnership saw the office participate in a range of fundraising initiatives, including a charity football tournament, Bake-Off competitions and the Strictly Vs Beatson event.
Savills Summertown organised a Rowathon which was supported by colleagues in Oxford, Cirencester and Henley. The event raised over £38,000 for Survivor Space Oxfordshire, the area’s only charity dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Savills Winchester volunteered monthly with Trinity Winchester, preparing roast dinners for 60–80 people and provided various in-kind donations to support the local homeless.
social value
A Culture Where Everyone Thrives
We operate six Diversity and Inclusion Working Groups, each providing strategic direction and supporting the delivery of our D&I initiatives across Savills UK. Alongside these, our D&I networks serve as confidential and supportive spaces where colleagues can connect with others who share similar identities or lived experiences. Our allies network helps create an inclusive environment by understanding those in underrepresented groups, providing support and addressing inequalities. The role of an ally is to educate themselves and others about inclusion, support our diverse culture and challenge unacceptable behaviours in the workplace.
At Savills, we believe that diversity and inclusion are not just values - they are business imperatives. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels they belong, can thrive and are empowered to be their authentic selves. Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is central to how we attract, develop and retain talent.
1 in 3 UK employees are now part of a Diversity and Inclusion network
Over 500 inclusion allies in Savills UK
All UK Board members have mutual mentors
3450+ attendees at Savills D&I events
57% of those promoted in 2025 were women
Savills D&I team were highly commended at the Inclusive Awards
Ranked 12th on the inclusive Top 50 Employers List 2025/2026
The Ethnicity Group were Highly Commended at the British Diversity Awards
The Social Mobility Group were Highly Commended at the Employee Network Awards
Savills is a signatory to the Time to Change pledge, reaffirming our commitment to fostering open conversations about mental health and reducing stigma in the workplace. This commitment is enacted through a network of 351 trained Mental Health Champions, who play a key role in supporting colleagues and helping to embed a proactive approach to mental health across our culture. In 2025, Savills UK delivered five mental health events, including a nationwide roadshow providing guidance on accessing wellbeing resources and confidential external support services. During Mental Health Awareness Week, we launched a new three‑pillar wellbeing strategy, covering physical, financial and mental wellbeing, supported by a series of webinars and employee resources. The week also featured our Property Management division’s 24‑hour running relay, now in its fifth year. In addition, the EnAble Network, the collective voice of colleagues with disabilities, neuro-diversities and mental health conditions led the EnAble May Motion Challenge. The challenge encouraged employees to take part in an active‑miles competition.
After its launch in 2024, our Proud Voices Campaign continued into 2025. The external campaign showcases a series of conversations with extraordinary Savills colleagues who share how their personal experiences have shaped their careers within the real estate industry. In 2025, we featured stories and activities aligned with Black History Month, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Pride and put a spotlight on the wider importance of Diversity & Inclusion, highlighted through insights from our senior D&I sponsors. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “accelerating action,” highlighted the ongoing need to advance gender equality across the sector. To support this, Manchester office co-hosted a speed networking event with BPF Futures, providing junior to mid-level female professionals with opportunities to strengthen industry connections. Meanwhile Savills collaborated with Vastint to deliver a panel event attended by more than 80 participants, exploring women’s experiences in the workplace and emerging gender dynamics. These activities form part of our wider commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable working environment. Further details can be found in our gender and ethnicity pay gap report.
chanelle.gray@savills.com
Chanelle Gray
djackson@savills.com
David Jackson
rebecca.d.smith@savills.com
Rebecca Smith
For more information, contact:
Head of Diversity and Inclusion
Head of Savills Earth
UK Sustainability Director
