BENCHMARKING
Understanding performance in your organisation or property
portfolio aids the understanding of good versus poor practice.
Comparing against your peers, using the most appropriate
benchmark systems, and monitoring the same aspects helps
performance management and furthering efficiency.
DTZ is working with clients to develop and deliver responsible
property investment (RPI) strategies. As part of these
strategies we measure:
• Third Party indices
• Resource consumption
• Utility cost
• Waste.
LEGISLATION AND REGULATION
There is an increasing amount of legislation filtering down from
the EU and from member governments. Much of this legislation
differs between states and can be a challenge to keep on top of
for those organisations with multi country portfolios.
UK examples include:
• CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
• Mandatory Carbon Reporting
• EPCs
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting.
THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE IN THE UK
Energy policy in the UK is confusing and volatile.
Occupiers need to be aware of the increasing risks
of emerging legislation and rising resource costs.
The full impact on owners and occupiers is unknown,
but both should be preparing for the following:
1. 2015 (December) — Energy Efficiency Directive — all large
organisations will need to have undertaken energy efficiency
audits of their business. These audits will need to look at
all aspects of energy use from property, process, industry
and transport. The government also has targets for
refurbishment of their estate.
2. 2018 (April) — it is proposed that it will be unlawful to rent
out a property which is less than an ‘E’ EPC rating (UK
Energy Act 2011). This legislation potentially has far reaching
consequences for both landlords and tenants.
TENANT ENGAGEMENT
Working with tenants, to keep them engaged and informed
about ongoing initiatives is important. After all it is ‘people that
use energy not buildings’. Properties that DTZ manages are
soon to benefit from an online tenant portal, where they can
access live data about energy consumption in the property and
provide a forum for discussion.
TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS
Energy cost savings is still a big driver for building upgrades.
DTZ is measuring water, gas, electricity and waste to help
tenants manage utilities and service charge costs. It is certainly
not just a box ticking exercise, but an overall strategy to retain
tenants, reduce costs and ensure compliance.
ALAN SOMERVILLE
Director, Energy and
Sustainability
+44 (0)131 222 4540
DTZ | In Situ 27
