Bee Net Zero: Accelerating Climate Action in Commercial and Domestic Property

This is a challenging time for property professionals, we’re faced with a housing crisis that is increasing demand and pressures on our sector while the threat climate change poses to our built environment is palpable in our day-to-day work.

Environmental impacts mean that we have to rethink our ways of working, the materials we use, and how we plan spaces to be fit for purpose in a few years. At the same time, social demand and the need for more affordable housing are adding pressure to build quickly. Both challenges are forcing the industry to change its ways and work more collaboratively, however, the solutions to both could be connected; by embracing net zero.

By working to integrate green solutions we can build truly affordable homes that have less impact on the planet and support. Together we have the solutions, we now just need to work more collaboratively as a sector to implement them innovatively.

On a local level, Greater Manchester will not be able to meet its goal of becoming net zero by 2038 without accelerating the decarbonisation of homes and buildings. 80% of the buildings that will exist in the UK in 2050 have already been built, but they were built at a time when climate change and energy efficiency were less of a concern than they are today.

Whether we’re looking at retrofitting this existing building stock, responding to the UK’s housing crisis by building more new homes or supporting Greater Manchester’s rapid growth by creating new commercial buildings, the threat of climate change presents a huge opportunity for Greater Manchester’s property professionals to be at the forefront of change.

Now is the time for those working across the property sector to adapt how they design, construct and operate buildings to ensure they’re equipped for the challenges of tomorrow and can better serve our local communities. From embedding green spaces and nature-based solutions into our places to prioritising energy efficiency in buildings old and new or embracing green tech, we have the solutions in Greater Manchester, we just need to work more collaboratively and innovatively to make them happen.

When it comes to solving challenges presented by climate change, the Bee Net Zero partnership has a wealth of expertise that can support both commercial and residential developments; bringing social benefits and supporting the region. Acting as a one-stop shop for support, Bee Net Zero brings together public and private sector partners to simplify the journey to net zero.

For companies acting in the property space, some of the initiatives the partnership has worked on include:

Occupier Retrofit Guide

GMCA and CBRE recently joined forces to create a commercial occupier retrofit guide to better support landlord engagement, outline best practices and give clear guidance around green energy, the circular economy and building systems. It makes certifications clear and sets the playing field for occupiers and landlords to work together to accelerate climate action.

The Manchester Climate Change Partnership has also teamed up with GMCA and Bruntwood to create a guide to commercial retrofit, exploring the scale of the challenge, strategies already in place and recommendations for addressing this issue. This report will be launching imminently to support the real estate sector.

RetrofitGM

Greater Manchester introduced the Retrofit Task Force in July 2021 to help the region take a global lead on retrofit. The action plan offers support and grants for residents, low-carbon energy generation and retrofit skills to support the sector. It aims to enable a market that can renovate an average of 61,000 homes each year with opportunities for those within the property sector to get involved and grow the green sector across GM.  The retrofitGM action plan outlines priorities in the sector for the next three years.

Energy Innovation Agency

Bee Net Zero partner and extension of the growth company the Energy Innovation Agency supports the development and commercialisation of green energy systems. Not only do they offer a pool of market-ready green tech energy solutions but they are always looking for testbeds for new energy technologies. Having recently announced a partnership with Bolton at Home to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of 198 flats, the Agency is bridging the gap between energy innovations and building stock.

Find local suppliers and contractors

If you’re working on a retrofit or new build project and would like to find a local supplier to support the delivery, Green Economy’s online marketplace can connect you with trusted, local contractors who can deliver green tech solutions. Covering everything from renewable energy to waste management, and sustainable travel to land management, Green Economy’s network of local suppliers can help your property projects embrace a greener future.

Campaigns Activity

To support businesses in their sustainability journey, Bee Net Zero launched some campaigns demystifying access to green finance and green tech including solar PV and electric vehicle infrastructure. Through these campaigns, we brought together all of the localised and national information so that businesses including those in the property sector could better understand and take advantage of the support available.

Networking and peer learning

Across the partnership, there are many opportunities for networking and peer learning so that we can all work together to tackle the challenges presented by climate change. Events like pro-manchester’s property lunch are vital in helping us to deliver our mission because they bring multiple voices and perspectives into the room and enable collaboration. With its green economy and property networks, pro-manchester is bringing together like-minded businesses and offering vital support as well as the opportunity to grow your networks.

Similarly, Green Economy has launched groups to address some of the challenges presented by climate change and remove barriers through collaboration. These peer groups offer the chance to support other business leaders and learn from their successes while also creating innovative solutions and opportunities for collaboration and sharing good practices across sectors.

Bee Net Zero Commitment

Now, Bee Net Zero is asking businesses of all sectors in Greater Manchester to make the Bee Net Zero Commitment and show their dedication to sustainability and driving positive change. In the property sector, making this commitment is a way of showing that you’re aiming to prioritise sustainable practices and drive to make your developments, buildings and places as green as possible; supporting our region’s future goals.

Businesses that commit will be the first to hear about new funding initiatives and support available, will join a like-minded community of businesses to network and share ideas and will be given a toolkit to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

pro-manchester’s Property & Regeneration Lunch

Bee Net Zero will be sponsoring pro-manchester’s Property & Regeneration Lunch on Thursday 10th October 2024. The lunch will provide an opportunity to network with other professionals and discuss the challenges around net zero. In the panel sessions, you’ll hear from experts in the property sector discussing the current housing crisis and how we can collaborate to provide, safe, affordable net-zero homes as well as how to decarbonise commercial buildings and the challenges and opportunities that exist within this.

To learn more about the property lunch, click here.