Climate change improvements must come now; Property in-site commercial property.

Byline: Paul Nicholson 

AS long ago as 1987, the Brundtland Report alerted the world to the urgency of making progress toward economic development that could be sustained without depleting natural resources or harming the env ironment.

Published by an international group of politicians, civil servants and experts on the environment and development, the report provided a key statement on what sustainable development actually is - "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

What has happened over the intervening 20 years? Quite clearly there has been a detailed focus on the issue of sustainable development, ever more so as the planning process demands greener development.

To this end the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets out the sustainable stall and the Directive Implementation Advisory Group (DIAG) advises our Government on the energy performance of buildings and the implementation of the EPBD which was published just over four years ago.

The principal objective of the EPBD is to "promote the improvement of energy performance of buildings taking account of outdoor climatic and local conditions as well as indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness".

In any language this is a clear indication that buildings need to be improved in terms of energy efficiency, ultimately producing a commercial market in a number of tiers with the best buildings at the top commanding the best rents and investment values and those at the bottom having little value and little prospect of attracting occupiers.

Behind all this are better known climate change commitments such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Energy White Paper and so on. The message is that improvement must take place, and the timetable for achieving better standards is summarised in one word - now.

With DIAG at the helm, a key objective will be to highlight the business, as well as environmental, benefits of a proactive approach to energy performance in buildings.

These benefits include employment, investment opportunities, cost savings and risk management.

Property development is a complex business. Some would say that the sustainable route adds to the complexities of design and building but the bigger picture is preferable - not only a contribution to the issue of climate change but the delivery of buildings fit for the needs and aspirations of the 21st Century occupier and investor.

Paul Nicholson is director of agency at Atisreal in Newcastle.