Making sustainable investments in the real estate sector has become an increasing priority for investors, developers, and property managers alike. As climate change continues to threaten communities around the world, embracing sustainability practices has become crucial for the future viability of the real estate industry. From incorporating energy efficiency into building design to considering environmental impact during construction and renovation projects, the range of options for enacting sustainability in real estate is vast.
What Does Sustainability in Real Estate Mean?
Sustainable real estate refers to properties that are designed, constructed, and operated with environmental stewardship in mind. This includes minimizing the carbon footprint through energy and water conservation, using environmentally friendly building materials, implementing waste reduction practices, preserving green spaces, and promoting biodiversity.
The overall goals for sustainability in the real estate sector include:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use
- Conserving water resources
- Reducing and managing waste sustainably
- Creating healthier indoor environments
- Prioritizing green space and supporting natural habitats
Benefits of Sustainable Real Estate Investments
There are compelling reasons for property investors and managers to incorporate sustainability into their portfolios:
Financial Savings
Energy efficient and environmentally friendly buildings have been shown to offer cost savings in the form of lower utility bills and operational expenses over time. The use of green building materials, renewable energy sources, water conservation fixtures, and effective waste management programs directly translate to savings that provide financial value and strong returns on investment.
Increased Property Values
Real estate markets are beginning to favor sustainable buildings that offer higher occupancy rates, rental premiums, and overall asset value. As investor preferences and government policies increasingly reward sustainable construction, owning future-ready and environmentally friendly properties can lead to higher property valuations.
Competitive Advantage
Sustainable buildings allow property owners to tap into the growing segment of environmentally conscious tenants and stand out from less efficient properties. In addition, sustainable certifications like LEED and Energy Star ratings can boost a property’s reputation and give it a competitive edge.
Risk Mitigation
Factoring climate change risks into investment decisions through sustainability best practices enables the mitigation and adaptation of portfolios over the long term. This approach hedges against future regulatory changes, environmental pressures, and resource constraints.
Future-Proofing Assets
Constructing durable and efficient buildings with sustainability in mind reduces life cycle costs and ensures long-term viability amidst changing market forces. Focusing on resilience and self-sufficiency makes real estate assets attractive over multiple decades.
Challenges of Sustainable Real Estate Investments
However, implementing sustainability does come with certain challenges, including:
Higher Upfront Costs
The use of energy efficient building materials, systems, and renewable technologies often increases initial construction/renovation budgets, even though lifetime costs are lower. Accessing financing for these higher upfront investments can be difficult.
Longer Payback Periods
The payback timeframe for certain sustainability features can exceed generally accepted periods for conventional real estate investments. This requires a long-term outlook and commitment from property developers and investors.
Lack of Standardization
While sustainability certification programs like LEED, Energy Star, and BREEAM are helping advance standardization, there is still a lack of universal benchmarks and mandatory disclosure requirements for sustainable real estate. This can obstruct accurate valuation.
Split Incentive Barrier
The split incentive barrier occurs when the costs of sustainability investments are borne by property owners, while tenants enjoy most of the direct savings through lower utility bills. This misalignment de-incentivizes owners from making improvements.
Awareness and Expertise Shortcomings
Limited awareness of the benefits of sustainable buildings and a shortage of specialized green real estate expertise across industry professions are still key obstacles to overcome.
Implementing Sustainability in Real Estate
Despite the challenges, the compelling advantages of sustainability in real estate are driving adoption across the sector. Investors, developers, and property managers can implement sustainability through various strategies:
Sustainable Site Selection
Seek sites that allow access to public transit, walkability/bikeability, existing green spaces, renewable energy infrastructure, and ample sunlight exposure for natural lighting and solar power generation.
Green Building Certifications
Acquire recognized sustainable building certifications like LEED, Energy Star, and Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) to validate and get credited for sustainability initiatives.
Energy Efficient Building Envelope
Incorporate a high-performance building envelope with ample insulation, energy efficient windows/doors, cool roof systems to reflect heat, and exceptional air sealing to optimize energy use.
Water Conservation Fixtures
Install low-flow toilets, faucets, showerheads as well as rainwater harvesting systems and graywater reuse to substantially reduce water consumption.
Renewable Energy
Incorporate on-site solar PV systems, solar water heating, geothermal HVAC systems, and purchase renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel-based power usage.
Smart Lighting and Appliances
Invest in automated LED lighting, occupancy sensors, Energy Star appliances, and smart home technology like programmable and WiFi-enabled thermostats to increase efficiency.
Sustainable Construction Materials
Use recycled, regional, low VOC, and non-toxic construction materials to reduce environmental impact. FSC certified wood is a great option.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Provide recycling infrastructure and implement composting programs to reduce landfill contributions. Construction waste should also be recycled.
Future-Proofing Investments
Evaluate climate risk exposure and build resiliency against flooding, wildfires, extreme heat, and other environmental factors made worse by climate change.
Investing in Location Efficient Areas
Seek properties near central business districts, established neighborhoods, and along transit corridors. These areas offer natural demand from renters/buyers drawn to amenity-rich locations that enable a low-carbon lifestyle.
Embracing Green Leases
Implement green lease structures that align financial incentives between landlords and tenants to encourage energy efficiency upgrades that are mutually beneficial.
Conclusion
As sustainability becomes increasingly prioritized in the real estate sector, investors and property managers have a timely opportunity to pursue value creation and future-proof returns through sustainable building practices. The environmental, social, and economic case for embracing sustainability is compelling.
While the path towards full adoption still faces hurdles like policy and pricing alignment, by proactively investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, waste reduction, and overall emissions reductions, the real estate industry can build climate resilience and drive the transition towards a carbon neutral economy.
The extensive benefits clearly outweigh the manageable challenges involved with executing a sustainability-oriented real estate investment strategy. The real estate leaders who act today to make their portfolios sustainable will be well positioned to capitalize on public sentiment, government support, and market forces that reinforcing sustainability in the built environment.
FAQs
What are some key benefits of sustainable real estate investing?
Some major benefits are financial savings, increased property values, competitive advantage, risk mitigation, and future-proofing of assets against climate change impacts.
Do sustainable buildings cost more to construct?
Generally yes, the use of energy efficient materials, systems, and technologies does increase upfront costs but provides payback through lower operating expenses over time.
What are some common sustainability certificates for buildings?
The most common green building certifications are LEED, Energy Star, Passive House, Living Building Challenge, and Green Globes. Each has rating systems that validate sustainability measures.
Do tenants prefer sustainable buildings?
Surveys show that 88% of tenants think sustainability is important. A majority prioritize energy efficiency, water conservation and access to public transit when choosing rental space.
Which sustainability feature has the fastest payback period?
Upgrading to LED lighting typically offers the fastest payback of any major sustainability upgrade, often recovering costs in less than 3 years through drastic energy savings.
