Editor: Deepki’s recent report on poor ESG performance devaluing UK commercial real estate reflects the industry mood of transitioning from just communicating an aspirational ESG vision to actually delivering measurable, asset-level ESG action (‘Poor ESG performance devaluing UK commercial real estate values, research shows’,)
If more than 60% of investors plan to invest in improving energy efficiency or risk the potential of depreciating values by more than 20%, then property managers have a vital role to play in achieving those goals.
The correct application of intelligent building technology, the aggregation and analysis of meaningful data and collaborative occupier engagement are just three weapons in the property manager’s arsenal for creating efficiencies.
Property managers can also help lead the way towards net zero through detailed energy audits that establish a baseline position for operational improvements, while broader net zero asset plans can enable investors to make effective change from the ground up.
One key approach is through smart building technology, which enables the automisation and optimisation of building systems, making them responsive to levels of occupancy and providing the required data platform for improving performance. Importantly, it can also combine landlord and occupier data, which through proactive engagement with occupiers can enable a whole-building view and therefore improve whole-building performance.
However, energy efficiency, while currently focusing a lot of industry minds, is only one part of the ESG equation. Health and wellbeing and social impact, for example, also need to be key components of the industry’s approach to ESG.
Smart technology also has a significant role to play in creating healthier environments for occupiers, through improved indoor air quality.
The need to prioritise health, wellbeing and social impact as part of a holistic view of ESG performance is really the key to unlocking a building’s value, as occupiers place more emphasis on employee retention and enticements back to the workspace.
Vicky Cotton, sustainability and wellbeing director, Workman
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