Sustainability may be on the back burner due to the economic downturn, but savvy investors and landlords are still steaming ahead with the development of eco-friendly buildings, according to Eric Peeters, partner at Cushman & Wakefield and responsible for office and industrial occupier agency in Europe. 'In 15 years time, we will see a growing number of buildings that produce more energy than they need to supply their own needs.'
Sustainability may be on the back burner due to the economic downturn, but savvy investors and landlords are still steaming ahead with the development of eco-friendly buildings, according to Eric Peeters, partner at Cushman & Wakefield and responsible for office and industrial occupier agency in Europe. 'In 15 years time, we will see a growing number of buildings that produce more energy than they need to supply their own needs.'
Sustainable buildings are also becoming more affordable, he added. ' You can compare it to the computer industry. Fifteen years ago, the latest technology cost a fortune. But now we're seeing new technology being introduced at an increasingly competitive price. We will see new techniques and technology in the property industry as well.'
Pointing to Unibail-Rodamco's Tour Phare in Paris, Peeters noted that the building would produce 50% of its energy needs through a wind turbine that will be placed on the roof. 'The facility will already be in place. All we need is a breakthrough in technology to boost that figure to more than 100%.'
