ESPRO is a dynamic, interactive, Forum where Europe's leading property Stakeholders, both public and private, can on a common platform meet and act upon issues related to the creation of a sustainable property sector in Europe. These Stakeholders include legislators, property investors, corporate investors, tenant organisations, planning authorities, consultants and contractors.
ESPRO's Mission is based on the premise that Planet Earth cannot sustain life
without the attainment of a Sustainable Society. Due to the dominant
role which the property sector plays in the consumption of natural resources
and the generation of waste and pollution, a Sustainable Society cannot
be achieved without the creation of a Sustainable Property Sector.
ESPRO is the result of programmes of research, development and international networking performed by The Windborne International Group and financed by a variety of Swedish Governmental Agencies (under either The Ministry for the Environment and/or The Ministry for Industry) and UK and Swedish property sector Stakeholders.
The Windborne International Group is responsible for the development and management of .
The primary Founder Member financiers are The Swedish Energy Agency (SEA) and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the UK.
The Programme has, amongst other activities, involved the preparation of three reports entitled “ The Conversion to Sustainable Property Development in Europe ”
( 1 – 3 ). A number of conferences have also been held where leading European property sector stakeholders have actively participated both as Speakers and delegates.
These include an International Conference held at the Swedish Governments Headquarters entitled: “Sustainable Building in Europe: Cost – Benefits – Value“ and The London Conference held on April 6 2005 at The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, entitled “The Move towards Sustainable Property Development in Europe”.
ESPRO is the primary public – private sector Forum operating as a Driver
of Change in the move towards the development of a sustainable European
property sector.
ESPRO is focussing its efforts upon several areas of sustainable development ranging from the macro level ( city planning, urban transport systems, regional energy systems) to the micro level ( building design and construction, local energy systems ). Activities include the establishment of sustainable policies and strategies, the arrangement of interactive events and the initiation and development of Pilot Projects.
ESPRO 's organisation today comprises
- The Management Group ( Manned by members of The Windborne International
Group ),
- The Steering Committee today comprising representatives from
SEA and the RICS. During the course of 2005 / 2006 the Steering
Committee will be expanded to include representatives from all
EU member countries.
- The Reference Group (RG) which is responsible for providing
advice and / or resources and / or initiatives. The RG currently
comprises the following organisations and will be expanded during
the next two years to embrace representatives from all EU member
countries:
- The European Commission
- The Swedish Energy Agency
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- Swedish Ministry of Sustainable Development
- British Property Federation
- The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning ( Boverket )
- SAM Group / Dow Jones Sustainability Index
- Construction Industry Council ( UK )
- Royal Institute of British Architects
- Property Environment Group ( UK )
- Swedish Forum for Construction Clients (Byggherreföreningen)
- Swedish Building Sector's Innovation Centre (BIC)
- Sheppard Robson Architects
- Skanska
- Lunds Technical University
- Luleå Technical University
- GE Real Estate