Green Building Design Consultants’ Post

Green leases are here - and although adopting them is not law, some of the provisions in them can be. Commercial landlords - and tenants - both need to understand what this means.

Have you heard of the green lease? For commercial landlords and tenants alike, it spells change - and you need to understand its scope and purpose. A green lease is an agreement that, in addition to the standard lease clauses, includes sustainability-specific provisions aimed at both landlords and tenants, in an effort to improve the environmental performance of the leased premises. And though the law doesn't currently require green leases, the provisions in a green lease can indeed have the force of law, in areas as diverse as: 🌱 Energy efficiency and renewability 🚰 Water use ♻️ Waste reduction and increased recycling 🏗 Sustainable choices of building materials for works, repairs, and alterations 📊 The sharing of consumption and environmental performance data. Read more about green leases - and how we at Green Building Design can help you take the steps to conform to them - here: https://lnkd.in/euhMdZPF #greenbuilding #buildingdesign #greenbuildings #commercialproperty #greenlease

With the 2030 deadline for the UK’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) approaching, commercial buildings must meet an EPC rating of B to comply. However, many properties currently fall short, posing financial and legal risks to landlords. Retrofitting unsustainable buildings offers a practical solution to improve energy efficiency and avoid non-compliance. In this interesting article, key retrofitting steps are highlighted including: - -Structural assessment: Ensure buildings can handle the required upgrades. -Fire safety and hazardous materials: Address these concerns as part of the retrofit process. -Navigating restrictions: Heritage and planning regulations must be factored into retrofitting decisions. Examples like the 22 Ganton Street retrofit in London show how upgrading older properties can enhance energy performance while increasing property value and marketability. Retrofitting helps landlords meet stringent energy regulations while providing long-term benefits such as reduced operational costs and higher tenant demand. With a growing emphasis on sustainability in the real estate sector, it’s essential for building owners to act now to future-proof their properties for the 2030 MEES deadline. Beyond compliance, retrofitting can unlock additional value by making properties more desirable and energy-efficient, which is critical in an increasingly competitive market. https://lnkd.in/egw4eUmY

In case you missed it: Scottish Government consultation on building regulations, focusing on determining principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard and how we build for a more sustainable future Key points: • First of two consultations on improving building regulations • Aims to support Scotland's journey to net-zero by 2045 • Considers technical, commercial, and policy implications • Explores minimum standards for new buildings and renovations The consultation closes on 23 October 2024. Participate in the consultation here: https://ow.ly/hHCv50TGG1f #ScottishBuilding #Sustainability #NetZero #Passivhaus #BuildingRegulations

🏛️ The UK’s New Green Building Standards: Shaping the Future of Construction 🇬🇧 As part of its Net Zero by 2050 commitment, the UK government is rolling out ambitious green building standards that are set to redefine the construction landscape. These new regulations are more than just guidelines - they’re a call to action for the industry to prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency in every project. At Build Greener, we’re ahead of the curve, offering eco-friendly materials like EPS Insulation, Render Systems, and Low-VOC Paints to help you meet the latest Building Regulations and achieve BREEAM ratings. Our products ensure that your buildings don’t just comply, they excel in energy efficiency, sustainability, and performance. 🌍 🔹 What this means for you: ✅ Rising demand for sustainable materials – Builders and developers need to act now to stay compliant and competitive. ✅ Building certifications – Achieving green credentials such as BREEAM ratings will make your projects more attractive to eco-conscious buyers and investors. ✅ Cost-effective solutions – Save on long-term energy costs with energy-efficient materials that improve building performance and reduce carbon footprints. By choosing Build Greener, you’re not just investing in top-tier eco-friendly materials - you’re future-proofing your projects and contributing to the UK’s green building revolution. 🌱 💻 Discover our range of sustainable products designed to meet new building standards: www.buildgreener.co.uk #GreenBuildingStandards #NetZero #SustainableBuilding #BREEAM #EcoFriendlyConstruction #BuildingRegulations #BuildGreener #FutureProofYourProjects

🔍Building Performance Standards: U.S. Cities Aim for Net-Zero Emissions🌿 🌆 Rising Standards: State and local governments are adopting Building Performance Standards (BPS) to cut emissions and meet climate targets. 🏙️ Growing Numbers: 13 U.S. cities currently have BPS in place, covering 25% of U.S. buildings. By 2026, over 40 cities plan to implement BPS. 🌍 Net-Zero Goals: Many cities are setting ambitious net-zero targets by 2050 or earlier, urging building owners to improve energy and emissions performance. 📉 Compliance Costs: Initial compliance costs are lower, but penalties increase significantly in subsequent rounds, urging proactive action from building owners. 🔄 Performance Over Prescriptive: The National BPS Coalition supports shifting from prescriptive codes to performance-based standards, offering flexibility in achieving emission reductions. 🌟 Municipal Examples: Cities like New York, Boston, and Seattle have implemented varied BPS and penalty structures, highlighting different approaches to achieving goals. 📊 Cost-Benefit Analysis: Retrofit investments consider broader factors like energy savings, property value, and market demand for low-carbon spaces. How do you think these new standards will impact the construction industry? 🏗️🌱 #Sustainability #NetZero #Construction #UrbanDevelopment

If you're a tenant of a non-domestic building, or about to become one, you may find that your landlord wants you to sign up to a green lease. Should you comply? Green leases have been developed to encourage more sustainable behaviours on the part of both the landlord and the tenants, which is definitely a positive move, but before you sign up, it's important to understand the detail, including the following points, amongst others: ❇️ A green lease may range from a simple acknowledgement of shared values to a legally binding set of sustainability obligations ❇️ Complying with a green lease can have financial impacts ❇️ Some landlords may, for reputational reasons, choose not to deal with tenants who won't sign up to a green lease ❇️ Green leases aren't a legal requirement, but they can strongly reinforce existing statutory obligations around EPC, MEES, etc. Want to learn more about what green leases could mean for you? There's more detail in our short article, here: https://lnkd.in/euhMdZPF #greenbuilding #buildingdesign #greenbuildings #commercialproperty #greenlease

Nice description of Mortgage Portfolio Standards and the EU Renovation Loan in this article by Sean Carroll at Foresight

Another informative article from the Big Green Build series showcases powerful examples of what's achievable when sustainability and long-term vision intersect. Thrilled to see a new generation of developers and architects transforming our built environment and leading the way with net-zero and green retrofit designs. They're proving that a cleaner, more profitable blueprint is not just possible but essential.   UnitiWall is proud to be part of this movement with our innovative solutions for both new buildings and retrofitting. Canada’s private sector has a critical role in driving this transformation by promoting, adopting, and investing in green buildings.   More than just meeting targets, it’s crucial to rethink how we construct, invest, and sustain our communities for generations to come.   Let’s keep pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and embracing the opportunity to create better and more sustainable environments through innovation and collaboration. https://lnkd.in/dJ5xtCGt #Sustainability #GreenBuilding #NetZero #ConstructionInnovation #BigGreenBuild  

Many cities are implementing or considering new building #emissions performance standards. What do owners and tenants need to know about these new green building codes? https://stantec.co/4aJoBAM #LocalLaw97 #GreenBuildings