Corporate carbon reduction commitments will have a significant impact on office leasing over the next few years.
Businesses that have pledged to reduce their organization’s impact on climate change must ensure their next lease allows them to show material progress on their goals, according to a report by JLL. This factor will have a significant impact on the office market over the next 12 to 24 months and beyond.
“Tenants are prioritizing buildings that are energy efficient, free from onsite fossil fuels and powered by clean energy,” JLL says. “For construction projects, occupiers are beginning to focus on lower embodied carbon designs.”
With the increasing adoption of work-from-home and hybrid models, demand for new commercial real estate construction drastically slowed since the Covid pandemic, and low-carbon office space supply is struggling to keep pace with an uptick in demand. So, businesses will be challenged to find space that meets their corporate environmental goals.
“Today, rightsizing and ‘flight to quality’ are driving leasing decisions,” JLL says. “The concept of 'flight to quality' is evolving to encompass energy performance and sustainability credentials.”
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Jul 5, 2019
This will become the tallest shipping container building in the world
Patalab is designing the building.
Design Innovation Report | Jun 25, 2019
2019 Design Innovation Report: Super labs, dream cabins, office boardwalks, façades as art
9 projects that push the limits of architectural design, space planning, and material innovation.
Office Buildings | May 29, 2019
Smart buildings can optimize wellness
Employees want wellness initiatives built into their work experience, especially when they’re in spaces that can leave them feeling stiff, stressed, and sick.
Office Buildings | May 29, 2019
HQ2 in cue: Amazon’s Arlington, Va., headquarters has energy-efficient design
With more than two million sf of LEED-certified office space planned, Amazon's new designs for its second headquarters in Arlington, VA, also will have green space, a one-acre park, and bicycle and public transportation access.
Sustainability | May 28, 2019
Carrier’s world headquarters in Florida goes green
The structure is the first commercial building in Florida to achieve LEED Platinum v4 Certification.
Office Buildings | May 14, 2019
Sail on, Royal Caribbean: HOK-designed headquarters celebrates cruise ship industry
The building’s design is inspired by the design of its fleet of cruise ships—with flowing lines.
Mixed-Use | May 2, 2019
A series of green bridges will connect these two towers in Shenzhen, China
Steven Holl Architects designed the project.
Office Buildings | May 2, 2019
HOK’s latest study takes a new look at tech workplaces
The report provides insight into the relative importance of such things as amenities and occupant health for recruiting and retaining workers.
Office Buildings | Apr 25, 2019
Study: Half of corporate and government offices offer wellness programs
Nearly 30% of worksites offer programs for physical activity and fitness, according to the CDC.
Office Buildings | Apr 8, 2019
It’s time for office amenities to get to work
Amenities with the greatest impact on effectiveness and experience are those that directly support the work needs of individual employees and their teams.