by Brianna Crandall — August 12, 2015—Figures released in a recent report by the Germany branch of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) show that the number of commercial properties in Europe now carrying a sustainability certification mark has increased by 64% since the preceding survey in 2013.
Using data provided by the leading international certifications bodies for buildings, the report reveals that U.K.-based Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) maintains its status as the preferred sustainability standard for new and existing commercial real estate across Europe, with an 80% share of the market.
French mark Haute Qualité Environnementale (HQE) has an 11% stake in the market, with U.S.-based Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the German Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) system both coming in with less than a 5% share.
The report shows that the existing buildings certification market has increased by 295%, with BREEAM in-Use again at the forefront with 80% of the market. Growth in the existing buildings market is seen as a response to considerable legislative and economic forces, which the organizations believe will continue to drive more work in this area.
The report’s authors also highlight how sustainability is now the norm for commercial property: “Over the last few years, sustainability moved to mainstream in the real estate industry. The main driver for the expansion of certified office space is the Corporate Sustainability Responsibility (CSR) agenda adopted in most international corporations. Based on CSR-guidelines, the companies are committed to lease green office space — verified by a green building certificate. Therefore, landlords are seeking to certify their assets to fulfil the standards of international companies when acquiring them as tenants.”
A copy of the German/English report, Grün kommt! – Going for Green 2015, is available for free download from the RICS Web site.
