The British Property Federation (BPF) launched its Net Zero Pledge yesterday (15 June 2022) at its annual conference. The Pledge is an industry-wide initiative to cut carbon emissions across the whole of the property sector. With the built environment accounting for up to 40% of global green-house gas emissions, the property industry has a vital role to play in supporting the government to reach its net zero targets.
The BPF, whose members range from developers to investors, lawyers to lenders, architects to agents, is uniquely placed to bring members together to support each other to speed up the pace of change. The Net Zero Pledge is designed to complement and support wider sector and industry net zero initiatives, with members encouraged to sign up to existing net zero carbon programmes and frameworks.
The core part of the Net Zero Pledge is sharing of best practice, knowledge and innovation among members. Members who already have advanced carbon reductions plans in place will commit to supporting and mentoring other members who are starting out on their net zero journey – speeding up the pace of change across the industry.
“The built environment has a critical role in the UK reaching its net zero target by 2050. Currently responsible for up to 40% of emissions globally the industry needs to be at the forefront of innovation. Our membership is broad and diverse, with members at different stages of their journey to net zero. The Net Zero Pledge aims to bring members together to support each other and share resources in order to effectively tackle carbon emissions before or by 2050 at the very latest.”
Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation
As part of this collaboration and co-operation, the BPF is launching a net zero network, which includes an online knowledge hub where resources will be collated and made readily available and members will be able to exchange ideas and best practice. Members will also have access to a programme of webinars and events.
A mentorship programme is also being piloted to connect sustainability leads at big and small businesses to share best practice and support each other to reach net-zero.
Members can sign-up to the Net Zero Pledge on the BPF website and they will be expected to measure and report publicly on progress. To take the Net Zero Pledge and join the campaign, members must commit to three principal actions:
- Sign-up: by setting verifiable net zero carbon targets and plans.
- Share: research, knowledge and insight on an open-source basis.
- Support: each other, and the wider industry, to accelerate the transition to net zero.
“I have spoken before about the need for radical collaboration in order to deliver on net zero and we need to see it happening. The onus is on every single organisation to commit to tackling the climate crisis, this means signing up to verifiable targets and reporting publicly as well as working together to share best practice and help each other. In the next 12 months during my Presidency at the BPF, I want to see all of our members working together to start or accelerate their journey to net zero.”
Guy Grainger, President of BPF and Global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG at JLL
