- Ten leading companies urge greater collaboration on renewable power, electric vehicle charging and smarter energy use in tenanted buildings;
- Pledge to help make London a beacon of climate action and clean growth
LONDON: The capital’s commercial landlords and business tenants can – and must – work together to accelerate the clean energy transition, say a group of leading UK and multinational companies.
Canary Wharf Group, Derwent London, E.ON, Landsec, LeasePlan, Royal HaskoningDHV, RBS, Schroders, Signify UK&I and Vattenfall UK – which have leased property in London or the surrounding area – made the call to action to London business in a statement coordinated by The Climate Group, the international non-profit dedicated to accelerating climate action.
It says that with business premises accounting for 40% of the capital’s greenhouse gas emissions, commercial landlords and business tenants should lead by example on clean energy and transport solutions, helping London to become a beacon of climate action and clean growth.
The statement comes during The Mayor of London’s inaugural London Climate Action Week (1-8 July) and days after the UK became the first G7 country to enshrine a net zero by 2050 target in UK law. All signatories are members of at least one of The Climate Group’s global business actions initiatives on renewable power, electric vehicles and smart energy.
Last week, a report by Edie and Big Clean Switch, in association with RE100 (led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP), showed that while the vast majority of major UK businesses surveyed are switching to renewable energy, four in five find it difficult to do so in tenanted properties.
Members of The Climate Group’s EV100 and EP100 initiatives have reported similar challenges around the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and energy efficiency measures.
Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group, said,
“There are huge rewards up for grabs for business as we transition to a net zero economy, from a cleaner carbon footprint to financial savings and increased competitiveness.
“But it’s not always straightforward for corporate landlords and tenants to align their clean energy ambitions, whether LED lighting and renewable power or charge points for electric vehicles.
“I’m delighted to see our member companies taking the lead on this vital issue, and we need many more to follow suit – by working together, the private sector can accelerate a cleaner future for London.”
Speaking at a unique event by The Climate Group for London Climate Action Week today, exploring ways for landlords and tenants to innovate and make progress towards decarbonization, Deputy London Mayor for Environment and Energy, Shirley Rodrigues, said,
“As the Mayor leads London’s efforts to tackle the Climate Emergency, it is imperative that companies step up and play their part, as London’s workplaces are responsible for around 40 per cent of the capital’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Mayor is introducing zero carbon standards for all new developments in London. But we urgently need to make our existing building stock more energy efficient. We support this business call to action to landlords and tenants to come together to break down the barriers to achieving low carbon buildings.”