Commercial property 'must go green'

A new study has suggested that the commercial property sector has to improve its green credentials if any targets related to climate change are to be reached.

The report from green organisation the Carbon Trust has suggested that the UK will not meet its target of cutting 80 per cent of carbon emissions by 2050 if the efficiency of existing buildings is not tackled, according to the Daily Telegraph.

At present, the sector is believed to account for almost a fifth of the UK's total emissions, although levels are thought to have remained static across the past two decades.

Stuart Farmer, the author of the report, said energy performance certificate standards are needed to ensure the efficiency of buildings can be improved from grade E to C by 2020.

Last month, a number of the country's leading property developers, such as British Land and Hammerson, welcomed government plans to introduce zero carbon commercial property buildings from 2018.