Arup is helping shape a major report from the World Economic Forum that highlights the multi-billion dollar market potential for energy-efficient buildings.
The report makes a compelling case for upgrading commercial buildings to reduce costs, as well as delivering environmental gains, jobs and growth.
The WEF report – A Profitable and Resource Efficient Future: Catalysing Retrofit Finance and Investing in Commercial Real Estate (PDF, 10.6mb) – was produced by a team of world-leading experts in sustainability and building design, including several from Arup.
The authors present a compelling case for green investment in commercial properties, suggesting that the market potential for retrofitting commercial properties could reach US$400 billion per year in the US alone. In the UK, the market could be worth some US$16 billion per year, generating green jobs and cleaner cities, while similar potential exists in other countries around the globe.
The WEF report highlights many of the fiscal and policy challenges that need to be overcome to unleash the full potential of the retrofit market and suggests coordinated action from governments, property owners and tenants.
“This report provides clear insight into the opportunities and barriers to success, and suggests effective public policy measures to drive increased energy performance in commercial buildings. Its recommendations should be a call to arms for every country and city concerned about the threat of climate change, and also for property owners who want to remain cost-competitive in the face of rising energy costs.”
- Colin Dyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle and Chair of the World Economic Forum Retrofit Finance & Investing Project
“This report offers a clear set of actions for policy-makers and industry, starting now, making the low-carbon economy a reality for all our futures.”
- Chris Luebkeman, Director of Global Foresight and Innovation at Arup
Buildings are responsible for 40% of the world’s energy consumption and generate 40% of all carbon emissions. As such, retrofitting buildings to improve their energy efficiency presents a tremendous opportunity to reduce costs and impact on the environment.
To make the most of this potential, the report suggests several policy recommendations, including standardised efficiency ratings for buildings and tax and investment incentives to promote energy efficiency.
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