As companies reassess their office needs in the wake of the pandemic, a new arms race to deliver net zero carbon space without the need for offsets is taking place in London, according to a recent Bloomberg report.
Dutch developer Edge, for example, recently committed to reach absolute zero carbon on its new developments by at least 2050. Its future projects will eventually be built and operated in a way that requires no tree planting to mitigate their impact. Australia’s Lendlease Corp. and Copenhagen-based Nordic Real Estate Partners A/S have made similar pledges.
If the firms achieve that goal, they will outpace net-zero developments being promoted by many of Europe’s largest landlords that require offsets to reach zero-carbon goals. Edge will continue to build projects that include offsets for now as it seeks to build more sustainable buildings that won’t need any offsets to reach net-zero.
Edge plans to immediately reduce embodied emissions for any new projects by at least 50%. That would mean a maximum upfront embodied carbon target of 500 kilograms of CO2 for each square meter.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2020
Midtown Manhattan’s empty offices could be converted to affordable housing
Advocates envision idle offices re-zoned to alleviate housing crisis.
Codes and Standards | Nov 16, 2020
New concrete detailing manual includes downloadable CAD files
American Concrete Institute document contains guidance on codes for structural concrete.
Codes and Standards | Nov 12, 2020
California rent control measure defeated
Golden State voters reject Proposition 21.
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2020
NY court ruling makes it easier for condo boards to sue investors for construction defects
Investors would be tapped for damages on such cases.
Codes and Standards | Nov 10, 2020
Researchers and industry leaders will form national institute for AI in construction
Goal is to identify high-impact areas for application in design and construction.
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2020
Jobsite injuries in New York City decline 20% since 2017
Safety training cited as a cause of improvement.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2020
Commercial building owners having tougher time securing insurance policies and renewals
Insurers’ fears of civil unrest in wake of election prompt builder’s risk coverage moratoriums.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2020
Turn rooftops into revenue generators with solar arrays
Lease or ownership models for PVs make more sense than ever.
Codes and Standards | Nov 3, 2020
The argument against gas stoves includes degraded indoor air quality
Asthma seems to be aggravated by cooking with flame.
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2020
Wildfires can make drinking water toxic
Updated building codes could mitigate the danger.
