Sustainable refurbishment: the potential of the legacy stock in the UK commercial real estate sector

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show three principal aims – to highlight the gap in the international energy efficiency and carbon emission targets in relation to existing commercial real estate; to examine the contribution that such legacy stock could make to the various targets; and to provide commentary on some of the measures that are being introduced to support sustainable refurbishment in the legacy stock.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper critically reviews recent academic, policy and practitioner publications.

Findings

The international sustainability agenda is being driven through via a “top‐down” approach. Targets are largely concentrated on new‐build provision and there is a limited focus on existing stock. The annual rate of replacement of commercial sector stock is minimal. Unless the existing commercial stock is addressed in a meaningful way, other measures used to address anthropogenic climate change will be undermined.

Originality/value

The paper offers an applied examination of the potential of the existing stock of commercial real estate to contribute toward achieving targeted energy efficiency and carbon dioxide reduction targets.

Citation

Mansfield, J.R. (2009), "Sustainable refurbishment: the potential of the legacy stock in the UK commercial real estate sector", Structural Survey, Vol. 27 No. 4, pp. 274-286. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630800910985072