Sustainability – one of the most important issue for European offices now – will remain so for the next decade; 83% of real estate professionals identify it as the key strategic issue facing decision makers in the real estate industry. Sustainability, driven by strict legislation (e.g. 2011 Energy Act in the UK, Grenelle in France etc etc), will become the key to industry success.

Although happening at different speeds, the emphasis on sustainability cannot be denied. France, Germany and the UK are driving the development of best practice, whereas in Greece, Italy and Spain the midst of economic struggles, will most likely cause delays. Subsequently, new legislative requirements, such as the requirement by the EU that all new buildings must be “nearly zero energy” by 2020, are causing growing gaps between countries.  The UK has set an earlier deadline of 2019 but other countries  risk falling behind over the next decade.

Nonetheless, sustainable real estate and social sustainability will increase in importance and drive performance. Sustainable buildings will come to mean quality buildings. Already it is clear that the pricing gap between sustainable and non-sustainable buildings will widen significantly. Simultaneously, the success of social sustainability will continue to be defined by productivity and employee satisfaction as they become further intrinsically linked.  Greater emphasis will be placed on the social value of sustainability.

For further details, contact Bill Page on +44 (0)20 3147 1212 to book a workshop; check out Offices 2020 for more information. A great place to keep up to date is our LinkedIn page  for  regular discussions and informal idea sharing.