Overlooking the iconic St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern, Lewis Silkin hosted another fantastic ESG focused event "FutuRE Proofing the Office: Journey to Net Zero". The event, held at the stunning new Lewis Silkin office with its panoramic 360-degree views, brought together Native Land, the Carbon Trust, Lewis Silkin, and a group of invitees from across various business sectors. The purpose? To engage in a conversation about proactive strategies for future-proofing buildings, achieving net-zero emissions, and enhancing landlord's and tenant's sustainability credentials.
Overlooking the iconic St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern, Lewis Silkin hosted another fantastic ESG focused event "FutuRE Proofing the Office: Journey to Net Zero". The event, held at the stunning new Lewis Silkin office with its panoramic 360-degree views, brought together Native Land, the Carbon Trust, Lewis Silkin, and a group of invitees from across various business sectors. The purpose? To engage in a conversation about proactive strategies for future-proofing buildings, achieving net-zero emissions, and enhancing landlord's and tenant's sustainability credentials.
Expert Panel
The panel featured distinguished experts in their respective
fields. Laura Bougourd and Rachel Francis-Lang represented Lewis Silkin,
while Felicity Masefield shared developer insights
from Native
Land, and Jonathan Winston provided expertise from the
Carbon
Trust. Together, they delved into crucial topics and shared
their views on the obstacles occupiers and developer/landlords must
overcome to achieve a greener future for real estate.
One highlight of the discussion was the Arbor Building, a
cornerstone of the Bankside Yards development. As part of the
UK's first fossil-fuel-free major mixed-use development, the
Arbor Building boasts impressive eco credentials. It operates
carbon-neutral and comprises a pioneering fifth-generation
energy-sharing network. This example of sustainable architecture
was chosen by Lewis Silkin for its office move with its ethos of
kindness and bravery and own commitments to sustainability in mind.
It also serves as an inspiration for occupiers considering similar
moves towards greener headquarters.
Demystifying Sustainability Jargon
The panel took the time to demystify the jargon often associated
with sustainability, particularly concepts like "net
zero" and "science-based targets." The Carbon
Trust's floor in the Arbor Building is a pioneering example of
sustainability in practice. Guests were invited to tour the Carbon
Trust's office space which was met with admiration for its
design and thoughtful execution. 95% of the materials in the Carbon
Trust's fit-out are from re-used and recycled sources. The
remaining 5% is still sustainably sourced, despite being new.
Jonathan nonetheless emphasised that occupiers can reduce their
carbon emissions by up to 15% with smaller immediate wins. By
gathering data and communicating with landlords, occupiers can
analyse and modify their existing M&E and building management
systems to decrease energy waste and increase efficiency.
Challenges and Collaborative Solutions
The floor was opened for discussion, and questions arose about
the challenges of retrofitting older buildings versus constructing
new green structures. It was clear that while "green
offices" are making strides, other asset types like smaller
warehouses and storage solutions lag behind leaving a limited
number of options for prospective occupiers.
The issue of green leases was also examined. These agreements
encourage data sharing between landlords and tenants, with a focus
on sustainable alterations. However, the debate continued regarding
who bears the cost of upgrades and how tenants can ensure landlords
implement the advanced building control systems they are paying
for. Perhaps environmental legislation like the Minimum Energy
Efficiency Standards (MEES), which by 2030 may oblige landlords to
obtain a higher rating of EPC B to lawfully let a property, will
compel landlords to futureproof their assets and ensure that both
parties are mutually obliged to fulfil their green commitments.
Looking Forward
The panel discussion was not only the background for an enjoyable event but also an exemplar of collaboration between a landlord (Native Land) and its tenants (Lewis Silkin and the Carbon Trust). As the real estate sector evolves to achieve its net zero targets, landlord-tenant discussions like these will be the catalyst for future proofing the office space.
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