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Collaborating to accelerate climate action with Muse & MCCP

Julian Broster and Phil Marsden, MD for the North West at Muse, discuss collaborating together to create sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods, and accelerate climate action

Published

04.07.2025

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Eden, our project with Muse and one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK

We’re proud to be part of Manchester’s Climate Change Partnership and working with other organisations including Muse to achieve our Net Zero goals.

Manchester Climate Change Partnership brings together organisations from across the city that share the common goal of “limiting the impacts of climate change and creating a healthy, green, socially just city where everyone can thrive.” The vision is for a green city with walkable neighbourhoods, clean air, good jobs in successful businesses, warm homes and affordable energy, safe cycling routes and a public transport system that works for everyone.

Objectives of the partnership:

  • Together, the Partnership and Agency set the city’s climate change vision and targets.
  • They work to embed climate action in policy, promoting the need for urgent and equitable action at pace and scale, and highlighting co-benefits.
  • They secure grant funding for Manchester to initiate and mobilise climate action and bring experts together via city challenge groups to co-design local solutions to big problems.
  • Championing and building on best practice across Partnership members and deliver city-wide campaigns, inspiring others to play their full part.
  • Position the city as a climate leader, gaining recognition internationally, and engaging at all levels to accelerate change.
  • Deliver transparent, robust reports that show progress towards our targets and are used to inform future strategies and action. 

Collectively, the work of the partnership helps to shape an inclusive, positive vision for a zero carbon, climate resilient Manchester, and to convene the people and resources needed to deliver it by 2038 at the latest. 

Civic Julian Broster
Julian Broster, Chief Operating Officer at Civic

We’re also proud to work closely with one of the MCCP partners Muse, helping to create sustainable and beautiful buildings and neighbourhoods with our expertise in built environment engineering, geoconsultancy, archaeology and more.  

Julian Broster, Chief Operating Officer at Civic, said: “Collaboration will be the key to driving change and climate action. The world we live in operates as a single system, so it’s vital we bring together experts from all fields, from placemakers to built environment engineers and more, to share their creativity, insights and technical excellence and learn from one another. 

“It’s that partnership approach that is behind Muse’s fantastic placemaking, and we’re proud to work side by side with the team, creating thriving and sustainable buildings, neighbourhoods and places, and as members of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership. Together, we have an important role to play in sharing our expertise from these world-class schemes and helping Manchester achieve its vision for a happier, healthier future.” 

Phil Marsden, North West Managing Director at Muse, said:

“Muse is delighted to continue working with Manchester Climate Change Partnership and other members to try and accelerate climate action in Manchester. We joined the partnership to share our learnings, but also to gain insight as to how others are addressing climate change and reducing carbon within their organisations. We’re firmly believe that we should be honest and transparent about our progress, and we’re pleased to have launched our second sustainability report highlighting our dedication to being a responsible business.” 

Together with Muse, we set out to deliver one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK at Eden, and we achieved it. Eden is Net Zero in operation and has increased local biodiversity by 2000% with its breathtaking living wall comprising 350,000 plants. The living wall helps purify the air, lower urban temperatures, and attract birds, bees, and insects which enhances the local environment and improves the experience of Salford for communities. 

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Eden, one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK

Together with Muse, we set out to deliver one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK at Eden, and we achieved it. Eden is designed to be Net Zero in operation and has increased local biodiversity by 2000% with its breathtaking living wall comprising 350,000 plants. The living wall helps purify the air, lower urban temperatures, and attract birds, bees, and insects which enhances the local environment and improves the experience of Salford for communities. 

Not just green on the outside, using leading edge technology for air tightness, heating, cooling and insulation, the life-cycle cost of Eden is expected to be 60% less than a typical Grade A office, reducing energy use and making it more sustainable to run and operate. We’ve also made the most of recycled materials throughout the building, including a salvaged gym floor from the University of Lancashire, now welcomes you through the lounge and by the elevators on every floor. During construction, we significantly reduced embodied carbon emissions. Our embodied emissions were measured at 615kgCO2e/m2 GIA. This compares to 1,200kg for a standard office building. 

In Prestwich, we’re working towards delivering a brand-new village centre with green public spaces, a new transport hub with space for EV charging, and sustainable homes which will enable carbon emissions to be as low as possible, as well as keeping bills low for local families. We are working closely with our partners to reduce carbon emissions and improve biodiversity wherever we can. 

Delivering against Oldham’s Green New Deal, redefining the towns residential and retail offer creating an environment which will benefit Oldham’s residents and visitors long-term. We’re creating up to 2000 new affordable and sustainable homes, for families and young professionals, allowing for a truly mixed community. Alongside these homes, will be extensive green space for Oldhamer’s to move through and spend time in. 

As first published by Muse, read more here.