Achieving green certifications of any level requires early and frequent engagement between leadership, asset stakeholders, and project teams, including design teams for construction projects and on-site operational teams for existing buildings.

Business-wide alignment is essential. “While leadership sets organizational sustainability goals, it is crucial they communicate to facilities teams and project managers how these goals should be supported by commercial real estate projects and operations – and ideally provide the financial support to realize them,” says Dum.

Wider collaboration between landlords and tenants on co-funding certification-aligned upgrades can also help both parties progress towards decarbonization goals as well as lower operational costs, Dum adds.

As corporate carbon commitments increase demand for sustainable buildings amid lacking supply, tougher green certification standards can provide a clearer pathway for decarbonization and realizing the benefits of energy efficient, socially inclusive and climate resilient real estate.

“Ultimately, best-in-class certifications such as LEED and BREEAM provide a reliable roadmap for creating high-performing, healthy buildings, and can help organizations to progress on their decarbonization journeys. That’s why green certifications should be considered across all industries and asset types,” says Dum.