Footprint

Law firm Taylor Wessing has found some interesting conclusions to its survey of the built environment industry’s awareness of and attitudes towards the green agenda.

It’s report, ‘Behind the Green Facade‘, suggests that the current economic climate could actually drive sustainable projects because tenants will be willing to pay higher rents in order to secure them. Indeed, 87% of the 146 end users who responded to the survey in October 2008 said that they would be willing to pay more for environmentally friendly buildings.

This goes against sustainability champions’ concern that the potential cost of producing sustainable buildings will act as a deterrent in the immediate future as the industry concentrates on simply surviving the downturn.

Altogether, over 800 people took part in the survey representing 550 UK based architects, investors, developers, contractors, commercial agents and occupiers.

According to 60% of respondents, the UK already has the right level of technology, resources and skills to push the sustainability agenda of buildings but worryingly over 70% of those ultimately using and funding projects admitted they have ‘no’ or just ’some’ understanding of sustainability issues.

Helen Garthwaite

Helen Garthwaite, had of construction and engineering at Taylor Wessing said ‘the realisation is also dawning that decisive action on sustainabiity may actually stimulate ecnomic activity and job creation, while cost savings can be achieved through less energy consumption and greater waste reduction.

Pages 18 and 28 of the 51 page report are of particular interest - identifying other drivers of sustainable design and obstacles respectively.