Developing a truly representative carbon footprint for the real estate sector has been something of a challenge for the industry. Recent pushes from the bigger players have both served to highlight the trials ahead, as well as provide much-needed leadership for change.
Are you getting recognition for your green power purchases?
Building rating and emission reporting bodies will grade your organization on its carbon footprint and emissions resulting from electricity consumption. The problem is that all kWh are not created equal. To ensure that you’re being fairly graded you should make sure you’re taking advantage of your green power purchases and any green electricity guarantees provided […]
Canada’s first Zero Carbon Building – Performance certified project prioritizes carbon emissions as key metric
With its achievement of Canada’s first Zero Carbon Building – Performance certification in June 2018, Bentall Kennedy’s 100 Murray Street building in Ottawa highlights how any high-performing existing building can reach zero carbon emissions.
Material considerations for reducing building related carbon footprint
Buildings account for almost 40% of carbon emissions generated globally, making them one of the most significant contributors to our carbon footprint [1].
Many leading global businesses would regard the introduction of well-being initiatives as a normal element of their high operating standards, with leading financial institutions and the tech giants setting the standards.
For Landlords, Active Management of Well-being in Existing Buildings Means a Focus on Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort
Well-being is a large and complex space and its arrival as a key issue for landlords was both slow to come and quick to arrive. However, what is becoming clear is that, for building owners, how buildings promote well-being is quickly emerging as a core part of their customer service narrative. But how should they […]
The important role of safety in maintaining a person’s Health and Well-being in the built environment
From Hippocrates to Abraham Maslow, there is a long-held belief that the built environment can play a part in both improving and damaging human health and wellbeing. Maslow highlighted that physical safety comes second only to physiological needs for humans to feel healthy and motivated in their surroundings. More recently, The United Nations Sustainable Development […]
Sitting at a desk all day, staring at a computer screen, eyes strained and shoulders slumped —sound like you? Health Impacts of the Office The typical American spends nearly a quarter of their week at work. Most of us, however, don’t think about the toll that work takes on our health. Many people neglect their […]
Everyone knows that everyone loves natural light. Modern building design has been driven by occupants’ demand for open floorplans, tall ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass. The proverbial “corner office” is the best spot because it has the most windows. And a recent study published in Harvard Business Review confirms that daylight and views are employees’ top […]
Rise of Wellness Across the Real Estate Industry The rise of the wellness market has spurred a new level of innovation across a range of industries as companies strive to differentiate themselves in pursuit of impacting the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profits. And the real estate industry is no exception, with health-promoting […]
Power to the people: Improving health and wellbeing with post-occupancy evaluations
As human health and wellness has become more mainstream within the real estate industry, tenants, developers, and property managers have grown more sophisticated and comprehensive in their approach for addressing it. Results from the 2018 GRESB Real Estate Assessment demonstrate how participation in the 2018 Health & Well-being module has grown significantly since its initial […]
For many professionals working in the built environment, Health and Wellbeing still feel like relatively new buzzwords. In some ways this is surprising given that the subject area has been around for many years; for example, the term “sick building syndrome” was coined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1986. In reality, though, the […]
WSP Calgary creates a healthier workplace through pursuit of LEED v4 certification
As Alberta’s first project to certify under the LEED v4 rating system, receiving ID+C Silver certification in April 2018, WSP’s Calgary office fit-out showcases the company’s commitment to supporting the growth of a healthier and more sustainable society. The new 100,000 square foot space, and WSP’s pursuit of LEED certification, exemplify many features aimed at […]
Employee Health and Well-being – Walk the Talk or Talk the Talk?
To comply with regulatory requirements, more and more listed companies are publishing their sustainability reports or environmental, social and governance (ESG) reports. In these reports, it is not uncommon to see sentences like “To safeguard our people’s physical and mental well-being, we endeavour to create a workplace that is free from work-related injury.” If we […]
Human Nature: the Health and Well-being benefits of nature in the built environment
Despite buildings and cities seeming to represent human disconnection or escape from the wild, nature has always had a place in the built environment. Parks have long been central to urban planning, the design of buildings and structures often incorporates nature or nature-like forms and patterns, and house plants have been utilized to improve the […]
Health & Well-being is making waves in the residential rental market
A changing landscape Developers of residential apartment buildings around the world are betting that residents will value a new suite of health and wellbeing amenities ranging from air filtration, wellbeing coaching, plentiful plants and natural light, to central staircases designed to promote physical activity and communal eating areas to encourage greater social cohesion. Examples of […]
The John O’Halloran Initiative, through the charity LionHeart, is bringing health and wellbeing to the attention of the property industry, writes RealService consultant Claire Middleton Mental health is finally on the agenda in the boardroom. Phrases like “work-life balance”, “mindfulness” and “wellness” have been trending on social media, and high-profile advocates like the Dukes of […]
Gone are the days of office workers figuratively chained to their desks. In today’s winning workplaces, creating opportunities for physical activity and movement can have profound effects on office dynamics, company culture as well as the health and well-being of the employees.
