Our buildings need to go green

[Re: Bill Gates says Britain has ‘all the ingredients’ to be a net-zero leader, Feb 15]

Global tech billionaire Bill Gates recently commented that the UK “has all the ingredients” to lead a net-zero world, citing cleantech businesses, innovators, and policy makers coming forth to make this nation a “climate leader.”

Yet if we plan to get there, we need to look at all areas of eco-friendliness to change.

The UK’s built environment is responsible for 25 per cent of the total carbon footprint and offices are often an overlooked contributor. In fact, 80 per cent of London’s offices need upgrading to meet energy efficiency regulations by 2030, with Minimum

Energy Efficiency Standards set to tighten even further.

Office buildings will have to decarbonise, if they want to stay fit for purpose.

Efforts must go beyond the basics of recycling and reducing waste. Introducing green spaces as part of office complexes can help offset emissions.

Eliminating full-time heating and lighting, especially during off-peak hours, reduces costs and eliminates excess power being used. Occupancy must also be considered, with fuller, multi-tenant buildings often more sustainable than a single occupier building.

We need sustainability at the heart of the built environment strategy, if we want to look forward to the green Britain that Gates speaks so highly about.

Simon Eastlake Office Space in Town (OSiT)