While COP26 didn’t deliver the full range of motivation needed to address climate change, it did provide many of the building blocks for future action. The Secretary-General finished off the conference by saying: “I know we can get there. We are in the fight of our lives. Never give up. Never retreat. Keep pushing forward. I will be with you all the way. COP27 starts now”.
One in three of the largest public companies in G20 countries now has a net zero target, up from one in five last year. It is clear that climate change needs to be at the top of the strategic agenda for businesses moving forward, and that mandatory emissions reductions are going to increase and Carbon tax is going to become a way of life.
In England and Wales, landlords, especially, are in for a shock.
Since October 2008, rental properties in England and Wales have required an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). In 2018, EPC requirements changed for landlords through the introduction of a minimum energy rating of ‘E’ or above for new tenancies. Now, this rule applies to all tenancies, not just new ones.
In 2021, changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards were announced that will affect landlords and rentals from 2025.
The government has stated that all rental properties will need an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above by 2025. Similar to the previous changes, the new regulations will be first introduced for new tenancies, followed by all tenancies from 2028. This means that rental properties will need to increase their energy efficiency from a minimum of 39 to a minimum of 69, a 177% increase.
Three years isn’t long, so it is important that landlords start working to improve the energy efficiency/ sustainability of their properties.
Platinum Facilities has committed to be Net Zero by 2030 and we have been helping our clients, many of whom are Landlords, improve their energy efficiency and sustainability for years. In the coming weeks we will be sharing examples of energy efficiency projects implemented to date and the impact that these have.
If we can help you improve the energy efficiency of your commercial properties, please call us on 0207 977 5650 or email info@pfms.co.uk.