Review of the UK corporate real estate market with regard to availability of environmentally and socially responsible office buildings

Abstract

If a company wishes to lease office space that reflects its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and brand aspirations, is there property out there to match the demand? Are developers really resistant to building properties that are environmentally and socially responsible, or is that an outdated myth? If true, what are the pressures driving change in the marketplace and who is applying them? Are the barriers hindering the uptake of sustainability in the corporate real estate market insurmountable? This paper summarises the findings from a stakeholder review carried out as part of the Cambridge University Programme for Industry, Sustainability Learning Network 2003 course, where key players in the corporate real estate arena were asked these questions. It identifies those sectors engaged in driving sustainability uptake and those resistant. It illustrates the level of activity through case studies.