EDITOR’S COMMENT While the government fannies about putting a cap on the uncapped commercial energy market, the real estate market is leading the way. Again.
Now, those of you that regularly read this page will know that I’m not accustomed to writing about how the real estate industry is leading the way. More often than not I use this page to poke a bit, to dig the real estate sector in the ribs and say, “Oi! Come on, do better.”
But not this week.
I’m not saying that a reduction in energy bills for residents and for businesses up and down the country is not going to be hugely beneficial. It will help scores of businesses keep the lights on, and bravo to that. But it is just a short-term measure.
The best energy cost saving we can make – as individuals and as businesses – is to use less of it. Efficiency is key in this current crisis. And being able to produce more of our energy from greener sources. And to have had some foresight on that decades ago. And some cross-party agreement on key issues for this country’s people and economy. But, again, I digress.
Real estate’s leadership on this matter is leaps and bounds ahead of anything we see in government. The sector is pulling together on the big issues and is working hard to make things happen. Much of this may well be for the benefit of companies’ own bottom lines but, regardless, it is having – or indeed, will have – the right impact on the planet and on people.
The appointment of David Partridge this week as chair of the governance board of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is just one example of where real estate trumps politics. This is an example of the industry coming together to bring clarity to really muddied waters.
The government has pledged that the UK will be net zero carbon by 2050. Businesses around the country have made similar pledges, many with an even earlier deadline. But does anyone, anywhere, really know what net zero really means and how on earth we actually get there? And if you do, does the person next to you have the same definition?
Probably not.
As one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, real estate has to get this right. This is this sector’s opportunity to go from zero to hero, to throw off its villainous reputation and be the saviour. But it has to do it together and it has to do it properly.
And this is where Partridge comes in. Well, him and the numerous bodies – Better Buildings Partnership, UKGBC, BRE, the RICS, Carbon Trust, RIBA, etc – that make up the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard project. Together they are working on a single, defined methodology for what constitutes a net zero carbon building. An antidote to greenwashing, fiddling the data and throwing around some (paid for) certifications – my words, not theirs.
“If the real estate industry and built environment is to seriously address its impact on climate change, a universally adopted Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is absolutely essential,” says Partridge.
It is “absolutely vital”, says FORE Partnership’s Basil Demeroutis, if the sector is to unlock the delivery of sustainable towns and cities.
We need “radical collaboration” across the whole sector, adds the BBP’s Sarah Radcliffe.
They are all so right. And they are doing it. If only we saw this in government too. Imagine where we might be. We might not have been able to prevent a war between Russia and Ukraine, but radical collaboration, a focus on a single goal, applicable to all – shareable with all – may well have cushioned us, the people and our economy from this mess in which we currently sit.
So, this week real estate, you lead the way. You win. Keep it up.
To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews
