That was the view of the centre’s head of architecture and sustainability, speaking at the Specifying Low Carbon Buildings conference event earlier this month.

Guy Thompson said the ‘conservatism’ of some letting agents is proving to be a ‘barrier against the provision of buildings that are low on operational cost and CO2 emissions’.

He told delegates the mantra for many surveyors and letting agents continues to be location and cost.

However, according to Mr Thompson the challenges of climate change, building legislation and day-to-day energy bills means the long-term operational performance of commercial buildings is rising up the business agenda of occupiers and tenants.

He said: “They are demanding a new type of commercial building and in order to attract the best tenant premium, developers are finding that it pays to think long-term operational performance and not just short term capital cost.

“For developers, occupiers and tenants there is a new economic focus on the benefits of having a low carbon sustainable building.

“A building that is designed to have low CO2 emissions is one that is designed to have lower energy requirements and, therefore, reduced energy bills.”

Luke Walsh

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