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Sustainability

Real estate and net zero: why reducing building emissions is key

Real estate accounts for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

BlackRock Alternative Investors and NatWest Group have co-authored a paper, Net Zero: A Collaborative Way Forward, that considers how the journey to net zero will impact the real estate sector and why it’s crucial for the industry to act now.

With more than 40% of global greenhouse emissions caused by the built environment, 2022 and beyond will be a time for special focus on real estate’s environmental performance.

Alison Rose, CEO, NatWest Group, says: “The journey to net zero requires a coming together of stakeholders across industries including real estate, and NatWest Group is proud to be partnering with BlackRock to further this important conversation.”

Understanding the challenges and opportunities

Research cited in the report

  • According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the built environment contributes more than 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these are due to the energy required to heat, cool, light and run properties.

  • The International Energy Agency says by 2030 all new buildings need to be net zero carbon-ready. Further to that, by 2040, 50% of existing buildings will need to be retrofitted to be net zero carbon, and by 2050 that will rise to 85%. Delays in action now will pose difficulties for meeting the 2050 target. 

  • Landlords must realise the benefits of moving to net zero now. These include the ability to attract and retain tenants, more attractive financing, and mitigating asset depreciation. 

  • Different industry players – government, lenders, landlords, occupiers, asset managers, developers and consultants – need to collaborate.

  • The biggest transitional risk in Europe is regulation. The UK government’s Net Zero Strategy, announced in October 2021, increases the minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) requirement for the letting of commercial property to B, from the current minimum of E, by 2030. 

The role of real estate: report recommendations

Stephen Cohen, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at BlackRock, says: “Real estate plays a critical role in the journey to net zero carbon. Like other sectors, industry collaboration is essential to maximise the impact of our actions.”

This can be done, the report suggests, by addressing challenges such as data sharing, agreement on works, maintenance, upgrades and retrofitting.

Advanced data monitoring

On average, landlord energy supplies within a typical UK office relate to less than 30% of the total floor area, highlighting the need for whole-building measurements.

Tenant-controlled energy consumption tends to far exceed that of landlord-controlled consumption, and so needs to be measured. Both active tenant engagement and the automation of metering are key to delivering good data.

Reducing and offsetting emissions

Landlords and asset managers have key roles to play – for example, by scaling up the sourcing of renewable energy across portfolios and financing the installation of on-site renewables, such as rooftop solar.

There is also a role to play in scrutinising every procurement decision, to ensure capital expenditure is used efficiently to reduce energy wastage, improve energy performance and eliminate operational greenhouse gas emissions.

To download the full report, click the link below. 

Download the full report

Net Zero: A Collaborative Way Forward (PDF 1,630KB)

This material is published by NatWest Group plc (“NatWest Group”), for information purposes only and should not be regarded as providing any specific advice. Recipients should make their own independent evaluation of this information and no action should be taken, solely relying on it. This material should not be reproduced or disclosed without our consent. It is not intended for distribution in any jurisdiction in which this would be prohibited. Whilst this information is believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified by NatWest Group and NatWest Group makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) of any kind, as regards the accuracy or completeness of this information, nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising in any way from any use made of or reliance placed on, this information. Unless otherwise stated, any views, forecasts, or estimates are solely those of NatWest Group, as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Copyright © NatWest Group. All rights reserved.

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