How Environmental Sustainability is Impacting Commercial Real Estate

​The commercial real estate sector has undergone multiple transformations, influenced by evolving consumer trends, climate change, global economic shifts, and technological advancements. Sustainability is one of the key factors that have a significant impact on the commercial real estate sector. Recent concerns about climate change and resource depletion have necessitated a focus on the environmental sustainability of commercial real estate projects. As a result, areas such as building design, energy efficiency, and recycling have become major topics of discussion related to commercial real estate sustainability. The need for environmental sustainability has caused an increased demand for sustainable and green offices as real estate firms seek to attract environmentally conscious tenants.

Recently, companies have begun to prioritize eco-friendly practices and occupy green-certified buildings designed using sustainable materials, lowering energy consumption and promoting recycling. Other sustainability features in commercial real estate include optimizing natural lighting, incorporating green spaces and water-efficient fixtures, and introducing renewable energy sources such as solar. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7, 11, and 12 provide guidelines to help the commercial real estate sector align its practices with achieving global sustainability goals. In anticipation of new environmental regulations and standards, commercial real estate companies have begun to gradually implement policies geared towards achieving zero-carbon emissions.

Derek Copeland

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