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35 Per Cent of UK Real Estate Businesses Plan to Increase Sustainability Investment

35 Per Cent of UK Real Estate Businesses Plan to Increase Sustainability Investment
08 September 2020
 

According to a survey undertaken by the British Property Federation, supported by JLL, over 35 per cent of the respondents said that they plan to accelerate activity and investment in sustainability as we emerge out of the crisis.

This suggests that business commitments to sustainability remain strong and a priority.

The survey was a representative sample of UK real estate businesses, and also revealed that for over 70 per cent of respondents the delivery of sustainability initiatives continues to be ‘business as usual’ and in some cases, activity has increased.

 

“Ultimately, the ‘new normal’ must be more resilient, more connected and will need to be driven by strong leadership. Taking prompt action to deliver on these priorities will be critical to the future success of the sector, helping shape the future of real estate for a better world.”

–Chris Ireland

UK CEO, JLL

JLL’s new report, “Reimagining Real Estate: Achieving a Sustainable & Just Recovery” outlines three priority areas for the real estate sector:

 

Ensuring Climate Resilience and Accelerating the Net-Zero Carbon Transition

 

JLL supposes in their report that COVID-19 has heightened our collective understanding of risk and the need for rapid action, and this can be applied to approaches to net-zero too. They consider that businesses need to adopt a total systems approach to net-zero carbon; prioritise investment into net-zero carbon technology solutions, manage climate risk in underwriting and investing and recognise the social risks from climate change.

 

Enabling Healthy People and Environments

 

A focus on community, wellbeing, and overall employee engagement due to the pandemic has posed fundamental questions about the way we live and work, according to JLL. There has naturally been a renewed focus on people’s health and wellbeing, and people as a company’s central asset. 

JLL’s guidance states that this focus should include: the delivery of site-level actions to enhance wellbeing, the adoption of an evidence-based approach to wellbeing, prioritisation of investment into technology solutions to deliver wellbeing performance and a focus on the local community.

 

Creating a Fair, Inclusive, and Resilient Society

 

COVID-19 has undoubtedly heightened the existing inequalities and biases in our society, and the social purpose of businesses has therefore come under the spotlight.

JLL argues that organisations must respond meaningfully and transparently and focus on leading with social purpose, developing a deep understanding of social risks and opportunities, investing to drive impact and ensuring a genuine commitment to equality and inclusion.

JLL’s full report can be accessed here

Picture: A photograph of some solar panels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 08 September 2020

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