BPF sets out plans for Net Zero Pledge to unite property sector in decarbonisation of the built environment

The British Property Federation (BPF) has announced it is developing plans for a Net Zero Pledge that will unite its members in tackling carbon emissions from the built environment and achieving net-zero by 2050.

The announcement, made at the UK Government Pavilion at MIPIM, is designed to support all companies in the UK property sector – from global institutions to start-ups – in sharing ideas, best-practice and learnings in real-time to accelerate the pace of change and drive innovation.

The campaign specifically aims to support smaller members on their journey to net-zero by leveraging the BPF’s reach across the real estate industry and connecting small and large members in this common goal.

Through the Net Zero Pledge the BPF will be calling on all its members to:
  • SIGN UP to setting net zero targets and plans, and commit to supporting the UN Race to Zero or similar initiatives by June 2023
  • SHARE information, knowledge and research on an open-source basis, and encourage radical collaboration across the sector
  • SUPPORT each other, and in particular the smaller and medium sized businesses in the sector, by leveraging the experience and expertise of those leading the drive to net zero

Following this statement of intent the campaign will be launched formally at the BPF annual conference in June 2022.

Guy Grainger, President of BPF and Global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG at JLL, said:

“The latest report from the UN makes for serious and sober reading – we must act now to limit the worst of the impact of climate change. The built environment is a major contributor to the climate crisis, so the real estate sector has a particular responsibility to decarbonise our assets as quickly as possible.

“Many of our members are leading the way – during my tenure as BPF President I want to make sure that we share knowledge and good practice, support each other and that every single BPF member has started the journey and is well on the road to net zero.”

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, said:

“The real estate sector has a critical role to play in tackling the climate crisis, and there is now a real sense of urgency and gathering momentum as companies make sustainability a key business priority.

“But this is a shared objective, and our Net Zero Pledge campaign is about accelerating the pace of change by uniting the sector behind this common goal, allowing businesses across all facets of real estate to collaborate, share ideas and learn from each other.

“It is a bold ambition, but radical collaboration is the only way to address this urgent challenge.”

 

Kindly shared by British Property Federation (BPF)

Main photo courtesy of Pixabay