Press Releases

The British Property Federation’s (“BPF”) Net Zero Pledge has seen 24 sign-ups from across its membership since its launch three months ago. Signatories to date have over £75 billion of real estate assets under management, including over 45,000 homes and a combined commercial footprint of just under 80 million sq. ft. They represent a cross-section of the industry from housing associations to real estate investment companies and law firms to property consultancies.

Early adopters of the BPF’s Net Zero Pledge – an industry-wide initiative to cut carbon emissions across the whole of the property sector – include LandSec, Workspace, Gerald Eve and Dolphin Living. The pledge has been launched to unite the BPF’s membership, drive collaboration and speed up the pace of decarbonisation in the sector. 

To sign-up to the BPF Pledge, members must have, or be developing, net zero targets and plans and are encouraged to join industry-leading net zero carbon programmes or frameworks, including those aligned to the UN Race to Zero. Current signatories have committed to the Business Ambition for 1.5 Degrees, Planet Mark, the BBP Climate Commitment, the WorldGBC's Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment and Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.

A core part of the pledge is the sharing of resources through a net zero network. Current signatories are sharing their experiences and insights – from research reports and case studies to technical guides – to help design and professional teams to develop net zero assets. A series of webinars will also be launched in the autumn.

A full list of signatories to the BPF Net Zero Pledge can be found here: BPF - Signatories.

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, says “We know the built environment is responsible for around 40% of carbon emissions and the onus is on the sector to come together to innovate and to work together to decarbonise. The current energy crisis further highlights the importance of making our buildings more energy efficient. Early adopters of the pledge are ideally placed to help our wider membership kick-start or accelerate their net zero programmes and our knowledge hub will be a key resource to facilitate this. Our membership is incredibly diverse and the Net Zero Pledge has been designed to provide the support and guidance needed to help all our members put in place programmes to tackle carbon emissions.”

Guy Grainger, President of BPF and Global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG at JLL, says “Three months after the launch of the Net Zero Pledge it is great to see initial sign-ups from a cross-section of the BPF’s membership. The climate crisis remains as urgent as ever, highlighted by a summer of record-breaking temperatures leading to economic loss, and we need to see action being taking from every part of the industry. Working collaboratively over the next year, we will support the wider membership, especially smaller businesses, to commit to and implement plans to reduce carbon emissions.”

Jennie Colville, Head of ESG & Sustainability at LandSec, comments, “Decarbonising our industry will only be achieved when we all come together to tackle the climate crisis. The BPF Net Zero Pledge brings us a step closer to creating an inclusive and sustainable future for everyone”.

Olivia Harris, Chief Executive, Dolphin Living, comments, “As part of our commitment to improving the sustainability of our business Dolphin Living is committed to achieving net zero carbon. This will support the long-term future of Dolphin Living and our residents. We have signed up to the BPF net zero pledge to highlight our commitment and also to enable us to benefit from engagement and learning with other BPF members on the pathway to achieving net zero carbon.”