BPF Spotlight Series: The BPF Net Zero Pledge

As the climate talks at COP29 enter their second week, we caught up with our sustainability lead Rob Wall to find out more about the BPF’s Net Zero Pledge and how the BPF is supporting the sector’s drive to decarbonise. Here’s what he had to say:

❓What is the BPF Net Zero Pledge?

🗣️The Pledge is a BPF-led initiative designed to encourage radical collaboration across the sector and help BPF and SPF members decarbonise.

❓How does it work?

🗣️We’re asking our members to do three things: to make a meaningful commitment to be net zero carbon by 2050 at the very latest; to actively engage with other Pledge signatories and the wider BPF membership to support the transition to a net zero carbon industry; and to cooperate and collaborate with others across the sector, sharing insights and experiences.

❓Who’s taken the Pledge so far?

🗣️We have a really diverse range of signatories to the Pledge, from small property companies to international investors, and from all parts of the professional real estate supply chain. In total, signatories to the Pledge have around £125bn of assets under management in the UK, including around 20,000 homes and 130 million square feet of commercial real estate space.

❓Why does it matter?

🗣️We know that buildings are responsible for around 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. In short, our sector has a sizeable carbon footprint and a significant environmental impact.

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

❓Has the BPF taken the Pledge itself?

🗣️Absolutely! We have baselined our carbon emissions and are working with Planet Mark a UN Race to Zero partner, to develop our own net zero targets and plans. Planet Mark has also independently certified the progress that we have made to date.

❓How can members take the Pledge?

🗣️You can take the Pledge via our website. And in a week where climate change is in the headlines, what better time to join our net zero community!

Find more information and take the Pledge here.