SUSTAINABILITY is now very much on the corporate agenda, and the office sector has to play its part in supporting the various Government initiatives and legislation to reduce the impact on the environment.

The EU Directives (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – EPBD) makes the property market as a whole accountable to the demands of increased energy efficiency.

The UK Government, with a view to meeting its ambitious pledge to cut carbon dioxide by 60% by 2050, has issued new legislation.

Sustainability is not a feature of buildings that can be bolted on as an afterthought.

It has become a phenomenon that is bringing about a revolution in design and new office development. The challenge, particularly in a recession, is to ensure that the cost-value equation is balanced to ensure a viable scheme.

Property has a significant impact on the environment, with buildings being responsible for around 50% of total UK carbon omissions. The commercial office sector accounts for 34% of this total.

The relevant policies make it clear that generation of energy on site from renewable sources will be required. This can be from a combination of solar water heating panels, solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, hydro power, bio-mass, ground or air source, heating and cooling and combined heat power systems.

The sun’s path during summer and winter months is also a key consideration and the elevations designed accordingly.

Achieving good daylight within the building can reduce the reduction of lighting bills by up to 50%. This is particularly significant since lighting is responsible for 40% of the energy costs. Environmental sustainability in its simplest form is fundamentally about minimising waste. Legislation has been introduced to support greener construction and it is now well established that increased investment can improve energy efficiency and reduce running costs over the lifetime of the building.

This makes economic sense as research from the US has identified a premium rental value for the most sustainable buildings.

Once the investment market in the UK appreciates this, the improved yields will enable the cost of providing the sustainable features become more affordable and desirable.