Property Week is publishing its forecasts for 2021 with predictions from key players in the real estate sector. Conrad Davies, Osborne Clarke's head of urban dynamics, is among the experts.
Conrad Davies: "The UK will be at the centre of global climate change discussions when COP26 kicks off in November. Ahead of the event, an increasing number of countries have announced how they plan to meet net zero goals.
"Responding to the carbon challenge will continue to be a top priority for the global real estate sector as it looks to reduce emissions from the built environment.
"Investors are demanding more visible sustainability across the lifecycle of assets – from sourcing of materials, development, and operation and management.
"While office and retail occupiers are gradually shifting towards sustainability, there is huge demand from students and young professionals who are highly motivated by climate change and want to live in energy-efficient and environmentally friendly properties.
"There are encouraging signs of adoption of cleaner construction practices and methods, retrofitting buildings, new scheme and mobility options, infrastructure design, investing in renewable energy and use of data-driven technologies. But legal considerations will be important this year and beyond as businesses will increasingly be held accountable by new climate-reporting regulations."
The predictions for 2021 start on Property Week's website via this link (please note that a subscription is required).
For more information on COP26, now due to take place in Glasgow in November, read our Insight.
If you would like to listen in to our second webinar in our ‘Countdown to COP26’ series, run in partnership with our Scottish friends, Harper Macleod, please register here.
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