Environmental, Social & Governance
For over 65 years TCS has believed that business should make a positive contribution to the communities in which it operates. Today that means cutting our carbon footprint, improving our buildings and using our places, above all the Merrion Centre, to bring people together.
Minimising our environmental impact
Our Net Zero Pathway
In March 2026 we formalised our Net Zero Pathway, with clear targets in line with the UK Government’s 2050 net zero commitment:
- A 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030
- Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035
- Net Zero across all scopes by 2050
We have switched to a business energy provider supplying 100% renewable electricity, and our Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell from 918 to 711 tonnes of CO2e during the year. 44% of our assets are now rated EPC B or above, and our new developments are designed to high standards: Z at Whitehall Riverside will be smart, energy-efficient, best-in-class office space.
The Merrion Centre, Leeds
A greener Merrion Centre
The Merrion Centre, our largest and most complex asset, is the focus of much of our day-to-day sustainability work.
This year we completed a major lighting upgrade, replacing older, less efficient fittings with modern LED alternatives to cut energy use while improving reliability and longevity. Lights and lamps are now replaced with LED as part of their normal lifecycle, so the savings keep growing as older fittings reach the end of their life.
Using less energy
The main mall smoke ventilation was replaced with a more energy-efficient system, non-essential lighting is switched off out of hours, and we monitor vacant units for unusual spikes in electricity use.
Zero waste to landfill
Since moving to Veolia in November 2025, all waste is recycled, processed through specialist streams or sent for energy recovery. Glass, dry mixed recycling and food waste collections help tenants separate their waste.
Less plastic
Our cleaning contractor, Churchill, removed 22.91kg of plastic from its supply chain this year, equivalent to around 3,329 plastic bottles and more than double the year before.
More solar
Our three solar farms generated 204,592kWh of electricity. Specialists have identified viable roof areas at the Merrion Centre, and a technical survey will follow once roof repairs allow.
Making a positive contribution to our communities
We support a broad range of local causes, with charities focused on children and young people particularly close to our hearts. We also use our places, above all the Merrion Centre, to work with community partners and bring people together. These are just a few highlights from the past year.
Leeds School Uniform Exchange
Run by local charity Wear and Share Leeds, the pop-up offers good-quality, pre-loved school uniform free of charge. In its first summer at the Merrion Centre, 319 families were welcomed and 2,570 items given away. It returned in 2026 in a larger unit with more stock.
Read the story
20 years of LEAP
In January 2026 we marked 20 years of Leeds Enterprise Advisory Project (LEAP) fairs at the Merrion Centre. More than 4,500 students have gained practical business and life skills by trading with real customers.
Read the story
A bug hotel for Merrion Gardens
With Child Friendly Leeds and Leeds College of Building, we supported a competition for pupils to design a home for wildlife. It drew 35 entries, and the winning design now stands in Merrion Gardens.
Read the story
Chinese New Year
Delivered with Leeds Chinese Community School, New Vision Education and the Business Confucius Institute, the city centre’s largest celebration welcomed 41,584 visitors over two event days, the busiest in the Centre’s history.
Read the story
Free family events
Throughout the year the Merrion Centre offered free family activities, including Peter Rabbit™ Easter storytime, Bluey story sessions in the May half term and a Football in Fabric exhibition for the 2026 World Cup.
See what’s onFirst Give
We are the main sponsor of First Give in Yorkshire, a charity that encourages students to learn about social issues in their communities and then plan and deliver social action, including fundraising for their chosen charities.
Space for local makers
In June 2026 we welcomed The Mini Mall to the Merrion Centre, giving Yorkshire’s independent makers and traders a permanent city-centre shopfront.
Our community work runs all year round, from charity partnerships and fundraising to events that bring people together. See more in our latest news.
Engaged and committed employees
Delivering Easter eggs with Yorkshire Children’s Charity
Our people make the difference
We look after our colleagues and give them the chance to make a difference. Benefits for head-office staff include pension contributions above statutory requirements, health insurance, health screening and an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, and all staff can join our Share Incentive Plan.
We support colleagues through professional qualifications, including Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Accountant training, and offer work experience to local students. Non-Executive Director Ian Marcus is the Board’s designated representative for the wider workforce.
Our teams also give their time. This Easter, colleagues from TCS, the Merrion Centre and CitiPark helped deliver 500 Easter eggs with Yorkshire Children’s Charity to children across the region. Read the story
Always doing the right thing
Our Sustainability and Climate Change Committee, formed in 2022, develops the Company’s sustainability strategy and decarbonisation targets for approval by the Board. Chaired by Stewart MacNeill, Group Finance Director, it includes two executive members of the Board and members of the senior management team, and meets formally at least twice a year.
The Committee reports to the Board after each formal meeting, and to the Audit Committee on climate-related risks and disclosures.