Good data is key to decarbonisation

Written by Hugh Dugdale, Associate Principal, Introba (Previously published in Property Week)

Reading your story on the British Property Federation and JLL’s Towards Net Zero report, it’s clear the industry wants to deliver on climate goals, but this is currently reliant on individual efforts. More government incentivisation and greater regulation are needed to accelerate change. 

Government funding streams need to significantly improve, with more money being made available for whole building improvements. Funding must then be allocated where it will maximise carbon reduction, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.

The property sector is also being held back by its own lack of knowledge. As respondents to the report’s poll noted, access to reliable and accurate building energy consumption data is critical.

However, getting the numbers is just the starting point – we’ve got to turn this information into clear decarbonisation roadmaps for owners and occupiers.

These should give asset holders a benchmark of how their buildings are performing and identify the practical ways they can be improved. It is about establishing priorities for investment, so that it becomes easier to plan and upgrade budgets.

Teams must take a long-term view. This will allow improvements to be sequenced with maintenance or refurbishments that have already been planned and budgeted for, helping to lower the capital expenditure needed.

Refurbishments should typically focus on the building fabric first, then building services – reducing energy demand should be the first step, then we can focus on how to deliver the energy required more efficiently.

Clients have got to think ahead and accept there are significant upfront costs, but design and engineering experts need to help make the decarbonisation process manageable and achievable for them. Data and good planning hold the key to getting it right.