Office energy demand needs to reduce by 60%

Property needs to reduce energy demand in office buildings by 60% if it is to help the UK government hit its net zero carbon targets by 2050, a new report finds.  According to UK Green Building Council’s report on energy performance targets for commercial offices, “more stretching requirements” are needed for landlords claiming their commercial office operate on a net zero carbon basis. The UK GBC’s targets aim to provide a timeline of how the sector needs to tighten energy performance in commercial buildings. By 2035, offices aiming to be net zero “should be operating at the energy performance standards that will be needed by 2050”, according to the research. Landlords seeking to operate zero carbon offices should first meet the energy performance targets outlined in UK GBC’s report, using renewable energy and offsetting any remaining carbon in their buildings. Data needs to be independently verified and publicly disclosed on an annual basis for landlords to demonstrate how the net zero balance on their offices has been achieved. Richard Twinn, senior policy advisor at UKGBC, said: “At the start of the decade of action, the most important action that the building sector can take is to drive down energy demand. This will be crucial to decarbonising our energy systems in the most cost-effective way, and ensuring that buildings only use their fair share of energy in a net zero carbon economy.” He added: “The industry is already starting to use the framework to meet net zero, but these targets will begin to raise the bar for offices, placing much greater emphasis on energy efficiency before renewable energy and offsets. They will challenge the offices sector and show the way towards buildings that are truly fit for 2050.” To send feedback, e-mail lucy.alderson@egi.co.uk or tweet @LucyAJourno or @estatesgazette