The value of sustainability in real estate development

By Maresce Stephanus and Niamh James

OnePlanet has recently been listed on UKGBC’s solutions page supporting them on their mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment. The OnePlanet platform is being used on a number of real estate developments, delivering benefits such as: 

• Providing consistent and transparent management of compliance to reduce risk
• Automatic reporting to improve engagement and save time
• Centralising all data and information in a consistent format to increase its value

We know that incorporating sustainability into everything we do is better for the planet and people. OnePlanet’s unique technology helps our customers see how all this fits together. However, real estate developers are faced with the question: how financially viable are these practices? 

Sustainability measures implemented on buildings can cost more than conventional ones. Currently, best practice costs for building sustainably are around 8% higher. However, as these practices become adopted as standard, this figure could come down to 4%. Further, research has concluded that certain sustainability measures have a positive effect on operational costs. In cases where there is an increase in building costs, this can often be paid back within two to five years due to the savings in operational costs. 

However, real estate development is not just about cost. It is also about value. Here are our top three ways in which sustainability increases financial value to the developer:

1. Increased sale price 

Certified green buildings have sale prices increased by up to 30% compared to conventional buildings. If mortgage rates are lower for good Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), sale prices can be set higher without impacting the cost to the buyer. 

2. Increased sale velocity

Sustainable properties sell faster than conventional properties, not just for social and environmental reasons, but for financial reasons too. Buyers are prioritising high energy performance, less long-term maintenance and higher asset values. 

3. Increased number of units 

With an emphasis on active travel, developers can increase the number of units by allocating less parking space and creating more saleable area. For example, the initial planning permission for One Brighton was 70 units with underground parking. Due to its sustainability commitment, this was amended to 170 units with just four parking spaces – two car-share and two disabled. 

To learn more about how OnePlanet is being used to implement sustainability in real estate developments, read a case study here. If you would like to get in touch with us and see a demo of the OnePlanet platform, click here.