BPF Net Zero Pledge

The Net Zero Pledge is a BPF-led initiative to encourage collaboration across the sector and help BPF members decarbonise.

All BPF, SPF and UKPA Gold members are eligible to take the pledge.

Buildings are responsible for around 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Our sector has a sizeable carbon footprint and a significant environmental impact.

As the voice of the UK property sector, we have a responsibility to champion higher environmental standards across the industry and lead the sector’s fight against climate change. BPF, SPF and UKPA members have a critical role to play in the transition to net zero carbon, and in helping the Government deliver its net zero targets and ambitions.

If you take the pledge, you will be joining a community of organisations committed to tackling climate change and driving the decarbonisation of their businesses and assets.

You will be able to learn from the experience of others and share your experiences with peers.

You will also be making a public commitment, helping to show how the industry is determined to play its part in the transition to a net zero carbon economy.

Members who take the pledge must:

Commit: Make a meaningful commitment to be net zero carbon by 2050 at the very latest.

Connect: Actively engage with other pledge signatories and the wider BPF membership to support the transition to a net zero carbon industry.

Collaborate: Co-operate with others across the sector and share insights and experiences.

There are many ways to evidence a 'meaningful commitment' to net zero. This includes developing net zero carbon targets and plans, signing up to robust climate commitments and frameworks, or reporting publicly on progress or action.

However, the BPF membership is broad and diverse, and we want to ensure that as many members as possible, no matter how small or how resourced, are able to take the pledge and benefit from the initiative. That is why we have not been overly prescriptive at this stage on how to evidence your commitment. We will explore this in more detail during the application process.

Yes - we welcome members who already have net zero targets and plans, and will be encouraging them to share their knowledge and experiences with those who have only recently started their journey to net zero.

There will be many ways to connect and engage with your peers, through in-person and online events, by joining relevant committees and working groups, and by supporting our research and thought-leadership. We will share opportunities to engage on a regular basis.

As a minimum, you will need to contribute to our Net Zero Insights series.

However, we want to encourage 'radical collaboration' across the sector and foster a culture of cooperation to deliver joint initiatives and deliver on our climate change commitments.

We recognise there are legal limits on what can be shared, but we are asking all members who take the pledge to share knowledge, research, insights and information on an open-source basis as far as is practicable.

The sharing of resources and research is something the BPF is uniquely placed to provide between its members. Without this radical collaboration, we won’t find the radical solutions we need.

No. There is no fee or charge involved in taking the pledge.

We're working with Planet Mark, a UN Race to Zero partner, to develop our own net zero targets and plans. They have also certified the progress that we have made to date.

The BPF Net Zero Pledge campaign is designed to complement and support wider sector and industry net zero initiatives.

For example, we encourage members to sign up to existing initiatives to provide independent verification of net zero targets and plans, such as the BBP Climate Commitment or by joining the UN Race to Zero. We will not be developing our own authorisation or verification processes.

Not found an answer to your question? Contact us at membership@bpf.org.uk.