Sustainability as a Strategic Pillar
Sustainability has ceased to be an option and has become an unavoidable priority. Companies seek offices that prioritize energy efficiency, waste reduction, and employee well-being. This search not only responds to a desire to comply with regulations, but also to the positive impact on corporate image and productivity.
In fact, regulatory pressure, especially from Europe to decarbonize buildings, and the sector's need to align with the Sustainable Activities Taxonomy, have significantly driven demand for sustainable buildings. The real estate sector is responsible for a considerable portion of global energy consumption and emissions, which underscores its fundamental role in decarbonization.
The Value of Certifications: BREEAM and LEED Leading the Way
In this scenario, sustainability certifications such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) have become essential for both tenants and owners. These internationally recognized seals set the standards for construction and operation of sustainable buildings, addressing aspects from energy efficiency and use of sustainable materials to indoor air quality and impact on the local environment.
A revealing fact is that, by the end of 2023, a quarter of the office market in Madrid and Barcelona, equivalent to 5.5 million square meters, already has sustainability certifications such as BREEAM and LEED. In Madrid, 27% of the total surface area is certified (3.8 million m2), while in Barcelona it is 26% (1.7 million m2). The number of certified properties has doubled in Madrid and tripled in Barcelona since 2020, reflecting the rapid growth of this trend.
Although LEED is more popular in the United States and BREEAM in Europe, both certifications share similar objectives of eco-efficiency and sustainability. The BREEAM certification, for example, stands out for greater profitability for the builder or operator, reduced environmental impact, and greater comfort and health for tenants.
Tangible Benefits for Companies and Properties
Investing in offices with sustainability certifications offers multiple advantages:
- Talent Attraction and Retention: Employees increasingly value healthy and sustainable work environments. Offices with better air quality, natural lighting, and thermal comfort contribute to well-being, which in turn translates into lower absenteeism and higher productivity. But let's look in detail at the main concepts of this point:
- Health and Well-being: Here the WELL certification stands out, the first focused exclusively on how buildings impact people's health and well-being. This seal goes one step further and analyzes ten key concepts such as air and water quality, lighting, thermal comfort, sound, nutrition, and movement promotion. A space certified by WELL guarantees an environment that actively cares for its occupants, which is reflected in greater satisfaction and productivity. Visit their page for more information here
- Inclusion and Accessibility: Designing spaces without architectural barriers, adapted for people with reduced mobility and following universal design principles, ensuring that each team member feels included and comfortable.
- Community: Fostering interaction and collaboration through well-designed common areas, rest areas, and spaces that generate a strong sense of belonging and team culture.
- Improved Corporate Image and Reputation: By choosing certified spaces, companies demonstrate a real commitment to corporate social responsibility and the environment, improving their perception in the market and among their stakeholders.
- Reduction of Operating Costs: Certified buildings are designed to be highly energy efficient, which translates into significantly lower energy and water consumption (between 30-40% less energy and up to 40% less water with BREEAM) and, therefore, substantial long-term savings.
- Increased Asset Value: Offices with ESG certifications are not only more attractive to tenants, but can also increase their market value by between 10% and 15%. Additionally, average rents in these spaces tend to be higher, regardless of the year of construction of the property.
- Resilience and Future: Sustainable buildings are better prepared to face future regulations and market changes, ensuring their relevance and long-term profitability. The obsolescence of non-sustainable office stock is a real risk if it is not modernized and adapted to these new requirements.
With all this we can affirm that the present is green: The transformation of the office sector towards sustainability is a natural evolution in accordance with the demands of current society, not to mention that it is the most intelligent strategy to generate economic, social, and environmental value.
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