Environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies are the future, and companies that are slow to catch on risk more than just the resilience of their business.
The building and construction industry is one of the bigger global pollution culprits. According to the World Green Building Council, 39 per cent of global emissions and 40 per cent of energy use is generated by the industry.
A report done by the Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook 2022 Australia and New Zealand looks at the industry and its impact on the environment. The report found that occupiers favour real estate that aligns with ESG values, citing buildings with a NABERS energy rating of five or more stars exhibit higher occupancy.
However, it’s not just the operational performance of buildings that needs to be considered. The usage of building materials, including how materials are harvested, their adaptability and ecological impacts, are highly relevant to the overall environmental impact of construction output.