Offices & Property

Climate change means that extreme weather events are more likely than ever, which puts Westminster at greater risk of flooding. WCC have published their Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to help the city become more resilient, and help achieve wider environmental benefits.  
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2024-2030 | Westminster City Council 

Air pollution is a very large public health issue in London. Londonair is the website of the London Air Quality Network (LAQN), and shows air pollution in London and south east England.
This website provides information for the public, for policy users, and for scientists and is provided by the Environmental Research Group of Imperial College London. 

https://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Default.aspx

Due to the climate emergency, spiralling fuel costs, and customer demand, more businesses are considering owning or leasing cargo bikes. 

Are you considering a new cargo bike, looking to get more out of the one you currently own, or considering expanding your fleet? Do you want to address the Climate Emergency by reducing your carbon emissions, reduce your spiralling fuel costs, or have customers asking if you offer low-emission deliveries? 

If you regularly transport bulky cargo or run a small business that makes frequent light freight deliveries locally, a cargo bike could work for you instead of a car or van. If you’ve tried researching cargo bikes before, you know there is an overwhelming amount of information on the Web, making it difficult to know where to start. This Guide from Cross River Partnership will help inform your decision.

https://bizcargobikeguide.london/

The Exponential Business Playbook is a guide for CEOs, managers, and employees aiming to drive and accelerate the rapid economic transition needed to secure a livable planet.

The playbook, grounded in science and global expertise, offers a strategic framework for target setting, transition planning, implementation, and disclosure. It prioritizes simplicity, speed, and compatibility with existing standards and criteria.

The recent version 4.1 was launched in Davos in January 2025. It provides guidance on embedding a strategy for climate action across your organisation through a four pillar approach:

1. Pillar 1: reducing your own emissions
2. Pillar 2: reducing value chain emissions
3. Pillar 3: provide scale solutions
4. Pillar 4: accelerate climate action in society

Source: The 1.5C Business Playbook

This document, the SBTi Buildings Criteria Version 1.0, includes all criteria that shall be met for the buildings sector companies’ near- and long-term target(s) to be validated by the SBTi, as well as recommendations that are important for transparency and best practice.

Source: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/sectors/buildings

The WEF’s Green Building Principles offer guidance for developers to deliver net zero buildings and decarbonise portfolios. The action plan includes ten principles which draw on existing recommendations, as well as signposting to current sector targets at a global and local level.

Source: https://www.weforum.org/reports/green-building-principles-the-action-plan-for-net-zero-carbon-buildings/

RIBA has developed a guide for a more sustainable built environment using an outcomes-based approach, which is intended to resolve the gap between design intent and in-use performance. This guide defines a measurable set of eight sustainable outcomes that correspond to relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals and can be delivered on building projects of all scales. RIBA provides metrics, design principles and evaluation approaches for each outcome.

The outcomes are: Net zero operational carbon; Net zero embodied carbon; Sustainable water cycle; Sustainable connectivity and transport; Sustainable land use and bio-diversity; Good health and wellbeing; Sustainable communities and social value; Sustainable life cycle cost.

Source: https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/sustainable-outcomes-guide 

WWF have collated a comprehensive list of 20 ways to run an office sustainably. Spanning energy, waste, procurement, travel, and finance, this list acts as a go-to for organisations looking for practical ways to run a sustainable workplace.

Source: https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/top-20-tips-workplaces-sustainable 

Contributing 25% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, and with the built environment the largest source of climate emissions after surface transport, our buildings, towns, cities and infrastructure have a clear role to play in enabling the UK to achieve its climate commitments to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050.
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) provide numerous technical reports, leadership networks and policy advocacy to address climate mitigation and adaptation for the building industry.

Source: https://www.ukgbc.org/news/ukgbc-publishes-guide-to-accelerate-industry-action-on-commercial-retrofit/

Sustainable development is action we can take to meet the needs of the present day without stopping future generations from meeting theirs. In 2015, the UN agreed 17 interlinked ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) with the aims of ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Many organisations align their sustainability strategies in support of the SDGs.

Source: Sustainable development goals

The SME Climate Hub Business Carbon Calculator is a free tool allowing SMEs to calculate their emissions and access recommendations about next steps to being cutting carbon.

The calculator covers Scope 1, 2 and some scope 3 emissions, as listed below:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from the combustion of fuel in assets that a company operates, such as fuel emissions from company-owned cars, diesel generators, gas boilers and air-conditioning leaks.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of energy purchased from a utility provider, such as heating, cooling, steam, and electricity.

Scope 3: Upstream emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transport and distribution, and business travel, all of which can be calculated from accounting expenses.

Source: https://smeclimatehub.org/start-measuring/

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the international standard framework for emissions reporting. Within the GHG Protocol, a full carbon footprint is made up of three levels of emissions sources called ‘scopes’, which are outlined below. The scopes are split out in this way to demonstrate the level of control that an organisation has over the emissions being released.

Scope 1 – direct emissions from gas and other fuels

Includes emissions from activities owned or controlled by your organisation that release emissions into the atmosphere. Examples of scope 1 emissions include emissions from combustion in gas boilers and vehicle emissions from company owned cars.

Scope 2 – indirect emissions from electricity

Includes emissions released into the atmosphere associated with your consumption of purchased electricity, heat, steam and cooling. These are indirect emissions that are a consequence of your organisation’s activities under your operational control, but which occur at sources you do not own or control. The most common example of scope 2 emissions is the electricity purchased from a supplier.

Scope 3 – other indirect emissions

While many companies report on emissions from their direct operations, emissions from a company’s value chain – its scope 3 emissions – often have the biggest GHG impacts. In some cases, scope 3 emissions can account for up to 90% of a business’ total carbon footprint. There are 15 GHG Protocol categories for Scope 3, covering purchased goods and services, waste, transport, as well as investments and energy use throughout the supply chain.

Source: GHG protocol

The National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses, (FSB) is a member organisation which provides knowledge, advice and training to help small businesses to reach their ambitions. FSB has developed a variety of resources designed to support small business owners to take their first steps in sustainability. The resources include explainer articles on topics such as ESG and carbon footprints, as well as practical advice and signposts to training.

Source: FSB

The UK Business Climate Hub is a collaboration between the UK Government, businesses and business groups across the UK. The Hub is the UK partner of the SME Climate Hub, the global initiative which empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to take climate action by providing practical, step-by-step guides to support SMEs to take practical steps to cut carbon,

Source: Business climate hub

UK Business Climate Hub is a collaboration of the UK Government and a conglomerate of business groups. The Hub is particularly aimed at SMEs and is based on a framework of seven steps to sustainability, endorsed by the Net Zero Council.

The Hub includes various resources including a funding list, case studies and advice articles to assist businesses in measuring, reporting, and reducing emissions. Businesses can browse the site by theme (such as waste and recycling) and by sector. There is also an events listing page for relevant webinars and in-person events.

Source: https://businessclimatehub.uk/

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has unveiled a duo of reports aimed at catalysing corporate action and facilitating the development and execution of beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM) strategies. BVCM, a cornerstone of the SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard, aims to prompt economic and social actions to avoid, reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions outside of a company’s carbon footprint boundary. The reports, titled “Above and Beyond: An SBTi Report on BVCM Design and Implementation” and “Raising the Bar: An SBTi Report on Enhancing Corporate BVCM Adoption,” serve to provide comprehensive insights and guidance in advancing BVCM initiatives.

• Sectors: Built environment, retail, hospitality & leisure
• Source: https://www.edie.net/sustainability-communications-and-disclosure-handbook-2024/

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has published guidance aimed at aiding developers, owners, contractors, investors, lenders, and facilities managers in effectively reporting on embodied carbon for ambitious carbon reduction initiatives. This guidance outlines strategies for utilising embodied carbon assessments to report on an asset’s scope 3 emissions throughout its lifespan. Moreover, it provides insights on how architects, engineers, and other professional services can employ project-based emissions disclosure tailored to embodied carbon, filling a gap not readily addressed by the GHG Protocol.

• Sectors: Built environment
• Source: https://ukgbc.org/news/ukgbc-publishes-new-guidance-on-embodied-carbon-emissions-reporting-for-more-rigorous-carbon-reduction-strategy/#:~:text=Scope%203%20represents%20a%20proportion,methodology%20rather%20than%20siloed%20efforts

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has introduced the inaugural edition of its Nature Investment Standards, which is currently open for consultation. This standard aims to stimulate private sector investment in initiatives that promote the restoration and conservation of natural habitats.Top of Form

• Sectors: Built Environment
• Source: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/media-centre/press-releases/2024/march/bsi-launches-uk-nature-markets-principles-standard-for-consultation/

Edie has just launched an enhanced edition of their guidebook on sustainability communications and disclosure. This handbook is designed to assist companies in their sustainability reporting endeavours, whether voluntary or obligatory. Its primary emphasis is to address issues like greenwashing, enhancing disclosures, and refining storytelling techniques. Through the integration of sustainability reporting, marketing strategies, and communication tactics, the handbook strives to enhance transparency and foster constructive shifts in behaviour.

Source: https://www.edie.net/sustainability-communications-and-disclosure-handbook-2024/

The CBC is a group of organisations in Europe working on making construction more circular. Partners include the Ellen McArthur Foundation, the World Green Building Council, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. ‘Blueprint’ projects are done across Europe with local partners. In London, the CBC is working on two projects – ‘London Circular Construction Coalition’ with ReLondon, which aims to reuse construction materials and ‘The Building Passport Alignment project‘ in partnership with University College London to make real estate more ESG-focused. Both projects have white papers.

https://www.circularbuildingscoalition.org/about

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has rolled out an updated version of its Biodiversity Standard to tackle the pressing issue of biodiversity loss worldwide. This decline has triggered ecosystem degradation and pushed numerous species toward extinction, posing a potential threat to half of the global economy. The revised framework establishes universal standard for assessing biodiversity impacts to support companies to disclose their contributions, whether positive or negative, to biodiversity conservation.

The enhanced Biodiversity Standard concentrates on four aspects: supply chain transparency, location-specific reporting, new disclosures concerning the direct catalysts of biodiversity decline, and requirements for evaluating societal impacts, including those on communities and Indigenous groups. Through the implementation of these measures, the GRI aspires to reduce the strain on natural ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity for forthcoming generations.

Source: https://www.globalreporting.org/news/news-center/transparency-standard-to-inform-global-response-to-biodiversity-crisis/

The World Green Building Council has launched the Circular Built Environment Playbook, which provides more than 20 strategies that organisations can use to embed circular design principles across all stages of building development. The document encourages built environment actors to adopt four core principles of a circular economy:

• Reduction in consumption of materials and resources
• Optimisation of lifespan for material and product use
• Design for disassembly, reuse and recycling, and the elimination of all waste
• Regeneration of nature

Source: https://worldgbc.org/article/circular-built-environment-playbook/

The UK Green Business Council has developed a series of factsheets to support the built environment industry to comply with and exceed Biodiversity Net Gain regulations. The four Factsheets offer an insight into the key concepts of Biodiversity Net Gain: local nature recovery; the proximity principle; the mitigation hierarchy; as well as using and contributing to existing targets. This is the first in a wider series of resources designed to help organisations meet Biodiversity Net Gain, developed with support and advice from Defra and Natural England.

Source: https://ukgbc.org/resources/biodiversity-net-gain-factsheets/?mc_cid=669168b007&mc_eid=de3f271a42

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) has released a draft guidance document to support the buildings sector with setting science-based targets. The guide is intended to be used by actors throughout the entire buildings value chain, including architects, engineers, developers, construction firms, owner-occupiers, owner-lessors and tenants. The document provides the scientific basis for sector-specific 1.5°C pathways and guidance on target-setting for in-use operational emissions and embodied emissions.

SBTi is consulting on this draft guidance until July 2023.

Source: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/DRAFT_SBTI_Buildings_Guidance.pdf

Source: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTxxvuAmDdJbWF2yKo1_Je9sWyyL5K-VBHOQ5wvKzeP3CWXA/viewform

This guide has been produced by UCL and the architecture practice AHMM to support architects and anyone in the built environment to design net zero carbon buildings. The guide includes definitions of net zero and embodied carbon in the context of the built environment; in-depth analysis of the lifecycle of a building and the issues involved in each stage; a summary of key net zero resources and frameworks for the built environment; and a wealth of case studies for inspiration.

Source: https://www.ahmm.co.uk/assets/uploads/Delivering_Net_Zero_2022_1.pdf

In Westminster, the built environment contributes towards 86% of emissions. Many of the borough’s buildings are historic, presenting unique challenges in improving energy efficiency, which is vital to reaching the Council’s target on net zero by 2040. The Westminster Property Alliance has produced a research paper to support owners and operators of old buildings to retrofit their properties. The paper provides practical advice through a range of case studies, recommendations and retrofit measures which include low-cost and light-touch interventions as well as comprehensive retrofits.

Source: https://www.westminsterpropertyassociation.com/zero-carbon-westminster-a-focus-on-retrofit-in-historic-buildings/

The Better Buildings Partnership have developed a guide to support real estate companies to understand, assess and report on the climate resilience of their portfolios. Drawing on best practice case studies, the guide includes a definition of climate resilience incorporating climate mitigation, adaptation and disclosure; an overview of eight key themes to be addressed by an organisational climate adaptation plan; and a deep dive into climate disclosure and TCFD requirements.

Source: https://www.betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk/bbp-climate-resilience-guide

Some banks offer green loans to support small businesses with green projects and activities. Banks will often stipulate a list of qualifying projects, which may include renewable energy generation, electric vehicles and retrofit. The loans sometimes have more favourable terms, such as cash back or no arrangement fees. Some of the banks offering this service are:

Lloyds – https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/commercial-banking/clean-growth-financing-initiative.html

Natwest – https://www.natwest.com/business/loans-and-finance/sustainable-finance/green-loans.html

HSBC – https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/solutions/green-sme-fund

For new businesses seeking investment, the Clean Growth Fund offers funding for innovative, low-carbon start-ups that are developing sustainability solutions.

https://www.cleangrowthfund.com/

The Government has pledged to support businesses in the transition to net zero. This tends to be through periodic grant-giving programmes, focused on specific topics. It is worth keeping an eye on the dedicated page for green funding programmes, as there may be future opportunities around energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in other sectors.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-funding-to-help-your-business-become-greener

This report by the UN was launched at COP27 and is entitled Integrity Matters: Net Zero Commitments by Businesses, Financial Institutions, Cities and Regions. It was developed by a taskforce which aims to bring integrity, transparency and accountability to net zero by establishing clear standards and criteria, addressing concerns around greenwashing. The report lays out key criteria and recommendations for businesses setting net zero commitments, such as: “Non‑state actors cannot claim to be net zero while continuing to build or invest in new fossil fuel supply”.

Source: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/high-level_expert_group_n7b.pdf

The Science Based Targets Network has released the first science-based targets for nature, enabling companies to assess their nature impacts and develop scientific pathways to addressing them.

Source: https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/take-action-now/take-action-as-a-company/what-you-can-do-now/

The WWF has created a new screening tool to support businesses and investors to assess and respond to nature-related risk in their supply chains. There are two complimentary ‘risk filters’, on biodiversity and water, enabling companies to identify industry-specific impacts and dependencies, and assess physical and reputational risks. This can act as a valuable starting point for prioritising corporate action, and an upcoming ‘Respond’ section to the tool will provide support and guidance for this.

Source: https://riskfilter.org/

The Net Zero Toolkit is designed to help time- and resource-constrained SMEs to begin to take action on the climate. The resource is designed in eight steps, which invite businesses to address different elements of their operations. From understanding and mitigating the impact of extreme weather occurrences to recognising and working on creative ways to reduce scope three emissions. Each step provides question prompts, a bank of resources and the opportunity to align actions with targets.

Source: https://www.iso.org/netzero

Edie has partnered with the Woodland Trust to produce this explainer guide to the relationship between biodiversity and business. The guide discusses the impacts your operations may be having on biodiversity and outlines the business case for addressing this.  With nature and biodiversity becoming a more prominent topic in the sustainability discourse, the guide can help businesses understand the steps that can be taken to reverse nature loss and restore natural habitats.

Source: https://www.edie.net/edie-explains-biodiversity-and-business/

FSB, or the National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses, is a member organisation which provides knowledge, advice and training to help small businesses to reach their ambitions. FSB has developed a variety of resources designed to support small business owners to take their first steps in sustainability. The resources include explainer articles on topics such as ESG and carbon footprints, as well as practical advice and signposts to training.

Source: https://www.fsb.org.uk/knowledge/knowledge/sustainability.html

For most companies, the majority of their scope 3 (indirect) emissions will arise from their value chain. The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) offers the option for businesses to set supplier-engagement targets instead of absolute reduction targets for their scope 3 emissions, but achieving these targets can feel daunting. SBTi has released a new guidance document to support businesses in addressing supply chain emissions, outlining how larger companies can encourage their suppliers to set their own science-based targets. The guidance includes how to identify and prioritise suppliers for reduction targets, securing buy-in, training and engagement tools and methods, and monitoring progress.

Source: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Supplier-Engagement-Guidance.pdf

The Net Zero Guidelines created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are designed to establish a consistent methodology for organisations to work towards in their transition to net zero. The guidelines aim to set out a common definition of “net zero” and its associated concepts, thereby standardising net zero claims and enabling greater transparency and comparability between organisations. Access to these guidelines is available free of charge on the ISO website.

Expanding on this effort, the ISO has unveiled a standard, ISO 14068, dedicated to carbon neutrality. This standard offers a structured framework for measuring and attaining carbon neutrality.

Source: https://www.iso.org/netzero

The UKGBC has launched an online learning resource to help the built environment sector understand and reduce embodied ecological impacts (EEI) of building materials. Similar to the better-known concept of ‘embodied carbon’, which accounts for the whole life emissions of buildings, embodied ecological impacts consider the supply chain impacts of construction materials on nature and biodiversity. The Embodied Ecological Impacts Knowledge Hub tracks and maps the supply chains of some of the most commonly used construction materials – including sand, timber, metals and ores – and how they are impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural environments around the world.

Source: https://ukgbc.org/resources/embodied-ecological-impacts-knowledge-hub/

‘It’s Now for Nature’ has produced a strategy handbook for the business community to help them act on nature and contribute towards a nature-positive world by 2030.

The Nature Strategy Handbook serves as a practical tool for businesses aiming to create a comprehensive nature strategy. The handbook builds on the ACT-D principles – Assess, Commit, Transform and Disclose – which were developed by global organisations supporting the ‘It’s Now for Nature’ campaign, including WWF and the Science Based Targets Initiative.

The handbook offers a series of essential questions, recommendations, and resources to aid in developing a nature strategy, whether as a separate document or integrated within existing business, climate, or sustainability strategies.

Source: https://nowfornature.org/read-the-handbook/

“Building the case for net zero: retrofitting office buildings” stresses the importance of cost-effective and carbon-efficient retrofitting methods. According to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), projects without clear retrofit strategies often miss opportunities to reduce energy consumption and streamline the process.

The UKGBC estimates that the offices must cut energy consumption by 59% by 2050 to meet net zero goals, highlighting the crucial role of retrofitting. However, many building owners risk falling behind due to expanding sustainability agendas and minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). Given that 77% of office buildings have an energy performance certificate (EPC) below grade B, potentially making them unrentable by 2030, the need for proactive retrofitting measures becomes increasingly urgent.

Source: https://ukgbc.org/news/ukgbc-finds-significant-opportunities-being-missed-to-retrofit-commercial-buildings/

The Better Building Partnership has unveiled the latest edition of its Green Lease Toolkit. Whilst a green lease in simple terms is the legal agreement in a transactional relationship, when seen as part of a wider owner-occupier engagement strategy it can be a powerful tool, unlocking the potential for positive and open dialogue and helping to transform the environmental and social impact of a building.
Originally designed to serve a broad audience, including letting agents, legal professionals, property owners, and investors, the toolkit offers legal provisions covering topics such as the circular economy, waste management, and renewable energy. These clauses can be integrated into leases to enhance the sustainability of commercial properties.

The updated version of the toolkit features the ‘Green Lease Essential’ section, outlining the minimum standards expected for green leases. Given the dynamic nature of sustainability efforts, the Green Lease Toolkit will undergo regular updates to ensure alignment with current industry standards and best practices.

Source: https://www.betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk/better-buildings-partnership-unveils-revitalized-green-lease-toolkit-kickstart-2024

A collaboration aims to establish universal sustainability standards for hotels. The World Travel & Tourism Council and Biosphere have partnered to promote sustainability practices within the global hotel industry through the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative. In a field inundated with information, this effort provides a uniform set of guidelines for hotels to embrace.

The initiative comprises 12 essential criteria grouped into three pillars:

1. Measuring and reducing energy and water consumption, as well as reducing waste and carbon emissions
2. Fundamental actions to protect the environment.
3. Fundamental actions towards a positive contribution to the communities in which they are located.

Source: https://wttc.org/news-article/wttc-and-biosphere-join-forces-to-standardise-international-hotel-sustainability#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20collaboration%20between%20Biosphere%20and,network%20of%20international%20criteria%20homogenisation