Change has come from multiple directions at once. A significant number of companies are subject to sustainability reporting, and their premises form part of their footprint. If a property cannot provide data on energy consumption, emissions, or indoor air quality, it complicates the tenant's own reporting. At worst, this may lead to choosing a different location.
What does responsibility mean in practice?
A responsible space is not a single action but a holistic concept. The energy classification indicates the building's technical efficiency. Certifications such as BREEAM or LEED provide a broader view of how the space has been designed, constructed, and how it operates in daily use. WELL certification focuses on user wellbeing, addressing lighting, indoor air quality, acoustics, and healthy solutions.
Certification can be obtained during the construction phase or retrospectively for an existing property. More important than the certificate itself is how the property is continuously developed: how energy consumption is measured, how occupancy rates are optimised, and how property management functions year after year.
Why does this affect the leasing?
Responsible properties attract high-quality tenants, retain them longer, and perform better amidst market fluctuations. ESG requirements have also altered the criteria of institutional investors, which is directly reflected in property valuations.
From the tenant's perspective, a responsible premises is not just an expression of green values. Good indoor air quality and lighting have a direct impact on work productivity. An energy-efficient property means lower ancillary costs. Certified premises facilitate the company’s own sustainability reporting. These are tangible benefits, not abstract promises.
What happens if responsibility is neglected?
Properties without well-considered sustainability strategies already face challenges in the market. Rental periods lengthen, rental prices decline relative to competitors, and attracting high-quality tenants becomes more difficult. This trend is not slowing down. Sustainability requirements are tightening through both legislation and companies' own objectives, and properties not at the forefront of development will have to catch up.
