First guide launched to report on sustainability of commercial buildings

The first industry-wide guide on how to measure and report on the sustainability of commercial buildings has been launched by leading property organisations.

The Green Property Alliance report, called 'Establishing the Ground Rules for Property,' gives property investors, owners, landlords and tenants the first set of industry-agreed standards that can be used to measure and compare energy use – and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste generation in commercial buildings.

The report aims to improve clarity around regulations and proposals relating to commercial sustainability and encourage everyone involved in the commercial sector - from property owners and occupiers, advisors, sustainability framework providers and government - to work from the same hymn sheet. Currently, there are over 100 different measures of sustainability used in the UK, according to the Green Property Alliance.

Simplifying the measuring and reporting via the guide may help drive greater sustainability from commercial and non-domestic buildings, which account for almost one-fifth of UK carbon emissions.

Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation said, “It has traditionally proven difficult to clearly articulate sustainability performance in rented offices and shopping centres due to the split responsibilities of landlords and tenants.

“The publication of this report sets out some helpful ways that landlord and tenant performance can be measured, improvement can be motivated and achievements articulated,” she added.

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