8.3. Added Value(s)
The move towards more sustainable - and even regenerative - development brings significant commercial benefits. Truly sustainable buildings not only enhance asset value but also offer energy cost savings, improve staff retention and satisfaction and elevate brand reputation ⁴² . Aligning with accredited third-party sustainability assessments ensures CO2 reductions. By aiming for certifications like BREEAM and consistently striving for Outstanding ratings, the tangible benefits become clear, reinforcing the value of these ambitious sustainability goals ⁴³ . Crucially, this paradigm shift is reflected in the commercial benefits as well. Saul D Humphrey LLP exclusively takes on projects committed to a sustainable ethos. Accepting traditional, less sustainable projects would not only be hypocritical but would miss out on the premium value associated with sustainable construction. The same projects that have saved 94,526 tonnes of carbon also show a net added commercial value of £50 million compared to peer-reviewed benchmarks ⁴⁴ ⁴⁵ ⁴⁶ . A BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ office is valued at a premium of 12.3% ⁴⁷ ⁴⁸ to 30% ⁴⁹ above standard Building Regulation-compliant properties. According to the World Green Building Council ⁵⁰ , BREEAM certification can boost rental rates by up to 24.9% compared to conventional buildings. This premium will likely increase as more organisations seek to showcase their sustainable credentials with buildings that offer excellent insulation, renewable energy, low embodied carbon, rainwater recycling and clear improvements in ecology and air quality. In contrast, poorly insulated, Building Regulation-compliant offices with an EPC rating of ‘C’ may soon risk becoming stranded assets.
The value of a BREEAM “Outstanding” office is estimated at a premium of 12.3% to 30%
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