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and failure to comply with regulations . Essentially , stranded assets become liabilities rather than investments .
However , retrofitting is not straightforward and may also contribute to carbon emissions as renovations invariably demand new materials and additional energy use .
Property owners and their construction partners need to have a clear plan in place based on thorough analysis of the evidence to understand the best course of action that will demonstrably reduce both embodied and operational carbon emission in the future .
From challenge to opportunity
Reliable ESG data is the cornerstone for driving successful decarbonisation across the construction and buildings sector - without it , there are no meaningful insights into a building ’ s environmental impact , hindering the ability to develop and implement effective carbon pathways . No data means no insights , and no insights means no action - a critical gap that prevents the sector from achieving its netzero goals .
At present , the real estate market lacks a standardised methodology to assess the gain or loss in asset value due to its environmental performance , and there are inconsistencies in global policymakers ’ approach to meeting net-zero targets .
However , technology is emerging as a powerful lever , with innovative platforms and SaaS solutions transforming how real estate asset managers handle ESG data . The aim is to leverage environmental performance data to improve real estate valuation and inform construction and retrofitting strategies .
The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change is clear that the buildings and construction sector can make a material difference to carbon emissions if it acts now . While the challenges are significant , the opportunities to overcome them have never been greater , and the dream of hitting net-zero targets may yet become a reality .
How to build better
Retrofitting - reusing and recycling buildings during the operation and use stage rather than constructing new ones offers a straightforward solution to tackling embodied carbon in buildings .
Choose low-carbon concrete mixes – concrete production typically relies on powdered coal or natural gas as fuel , consuming vast energy and releasing significant CO 2 emissions . Using alternatives during the construction process makes a notable difference to harmful emissions .
Select less carbon-intensive material - when retrofitting existing buildings or constructing new buildings , more sustainable , lower-carbon materials are crucial in reducing a building ’ s embodied carbon footprint .
Prioritise the reuse of materials and products - building materials represent a critical focus for reducing a building ’ s carbon footprint . Two key strategies are retention and reuse , which avoid the introduction of new carbon by preserving existing structural elements . Retention and reuse are important during construction , retrofitting and the end-of-life stages of a building . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Jeff Blaylock www . deepki . com
Jeff Blaylock is Head of Delivery UK at Deepki . Founded in 2014 , Deepki has developed a SaaS solution that uses data intelligence to guide real estate players in their net-zero transition . The solution leverages customer data to improve assets ’ ESG ( Environmental , Social and Governance ) performance and maximise asset value . Deepki operates in 52 countries , with over 400 team members across offices in Paris , London , Berlin , Milan and Madrid . The company serves clients including Generali Real Estate , SwissLife Asset Managers and the French Government , helping to make their real estate assets more sustainable at scale .
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