South: Tuffin Ferraby Taylor reports improved attitudes towards sustainability not changing practice

The TFT Energy Survey 2016 published by Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, the leading property and construction consultancy, has found that 92% of commercial property landlords believe that attitudes to energy efficiency have improved since the last recession, and 90% are clear that energy efficiency is a higher priority in their portfolios than it was before 2008. Only 35% of investors, however, have introduced a formal energy management system or implemented energy efficiency improvements. 

80% see a lack of government incentives as the single biggest barrier to widespread energy-efficiency measures being introduced across UK commercial real estate; and 75% feel that the current regulatory framework is too complex to navigate.

Mat Lown, partner and head of sustainability at TFT, said: “60% of investors can see the clear investment potential of energy-efficiency projects, but to date investment has been targeted towards the large-scale projects.”

He added: “It now remains to be seen exactly how much European legislation will be retained and whether the UK Brexit vote means a simpler approach to energy regulation and policy.”