Part of a Climate Innovation Network series profiling the firms making real climate progress.
Emissions from buildings represent an enormous part of the world’s carbon budget, accounting for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions, so the pressure’s particularly on real estate to address it. Here we profile one firm that’s made solid progress, despite planning constraints.
Who:
Grosvenor, a London-based real estate firm with properties across US and UK markets.
What particular challenges do they face?
A portfolio of heritage properties with strict planning restrictions, forcing them to work closely with both developers and authorities.
What did they do?
Reduced their reported emissions 32% on a 2019 baseline.
How did they do it?
A three-pronged strategy:
- Halved supply chain emissions through preference for suppliers with science-based targets.
- Cut building emissions through air source heat pumps and sub-metering.
- Set an embodied emissions target for new developments.
Where you can find out more:
Grosvenor published an update on its net zero plans in mid-September 2023. Follow Tor Burrows, Group Sustainability Director at Grosvenor Group, on LinkedIn for ongoing updates.