(11 January 2023, Hong Kong) As businesses grapple with the current energy crisis and prepare for it to worsen, new research from JLL finds that rising energy costs are expediting the move towards more efficient buildings.
JLL’s Retrofitting Buildings to be Future-Fit research reveals that net-zero carbon (NZC) intervention measures directly impact a building’s bottom line and that failing to decarbonise leads to significant financial risk. For many buildings, meeting 2050 decarbonisation targets put forward in the Paris Climate Agreement is grounded in retrofitting current spaces, which can also garner higher rents, reduce financial risk, and generate higher occupancy rates and tenant satisfaction.
“Retrofitting existing buildings is the quickest and most cost-effective way to accelerate decarbonisation in the built environment,” said Guy Grainger, JLL Global Head of Sustainability Services and ESG. “Whether it is lenders on real estate or occupiers of buildings, requirements are changing and real assets will become illiquid unless there is a plan to transition them.”
JLL’s research reveals that in the global north, retrofitting rates need to triple from barely 1% today to at least 3% of existing buildings per year to meet decarbonisation targets. An estimated USD 3 trillion will be required in the office sector alone to meet these targets. In the developing world, new commercial and residential real estate will need fresh approaches prioritising carbon and energy efficiency to improve resilience to climate change and contribute to a more sustainable future. Addressing the knowledge gap, upskilling the workforce and scaling technology will be critical to accelerating the pace of retrofitting.
“Retrofitting does not need to be an all at once endeavour. But, reporting and disclosure is not enough – this requires intentional investment and a strategic approach,” said Grainger. “Retrofits are both more viable and responsible when considered in tandem with broader asset repositioning that responds to changing workplace dynamics and climate resilience. We have enough proof points that show we have been underestimating the return upside of intervention and underestimating the value downside of inaction.”
Helen Amos, Head of Sustainability at JLL in Hong Kong said: “Data from the JLL research not only indicates retrofitting buildings is essential to reduce energy costs and combat the global energy crisis, it emphasises the immense importance that we start right away, as currently we are behind the rate of retrofitting that is required JLL’s asset decarbonisation roadmap, which examines three levels of retrofits, from light, focusing on performance optimisation, to deep, for whole-building refurbishments which result in greater energy efficiency gains, emissions reduction, and cost-savings. JLL aims to continue to lead by example and help drive change in the real estate industry while continuing our journey to decarbonisation.” Retrofitting buildings to be more energy efficient will also require owners and occupiers to deepen relationships and form new business models to gain the significant value they both have when investing in sustainability. The alignment of stakeholders extends beyond just the landlord and tenant as suppliers, building operators, management teams, on-site teams, and even local governments must work together to transition to a low-carbon economy.
