With government sustainability targets looming, now more than ever businesses are putting strategies in place to mitigate any negative impact their operations might be having on the environment. What’s clear, however, is that many of these goals are simply not achievable without technology and innovation.

In short, the efficiencies created through the use of technology have been instrumental in the progression we have seen in recent decades. Everything from solar panels to battery generated power has led to the continued roll-out of low-cost green energy.

Take the UK Government’s own commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. In order to reach this target tools need to be put in place within the built environment. In fact, technology is the explicit focus for sustainability as the fiscal benefits of measures such as smart energy management systems, ventilation, lighting efficiency and temperature control is beneficial not just to the bottom line, but for health and wellbeing as well.

Technology has also provided the ability to measure this progress. With resource management data now available for energy, water, emissions and waste, as well as sensors that make it easier and more affordable for companies to detect, visualise and manage a wide array of environmental impacts.

Software platforms are enabling data collection and reporting systems to easily be put in place. What’s more, by automating this process it reduces the potential for human error, shifting the focus from data collection to data quality.

Undoubtedly the last few years have seen a significant step in the right direction, but with the clock ticking there is still much to do in the next 30 years. Looking ahead, there are a number of exciting initiatives that could prove game changing for the real estate sector and its impact on the environment.

For instance, the chemical recycling of plastic rather than mechanical, which could help solve the problem of unrecyclable materials. There is also the growth of vertical farming, which relies heavily on data analysis to prevent the overuse of resources, or perhaps the proliferation of rapid charging hubs for electric vehicles.

On an even larger scale is the European Commission’s smart cities proposal, which would use technical solutions to improve the management and efficiency of the urban environment. Although this is currently on hold due to Covid-19, the advantages are clear to see.

While these advances are largely positive, the UN’s latest Sustainable Development Goals report released in July suggested that climate change is still occurring much faster than anticipated. In fact, 2019 was the second warmest year on record.

With this in mind, we need to act faster. Essentially, technology and innovation will accelerate the journey, not only towards net zero, but also towards the myriad sustainability goals that need to be met in order to safeguard our future.

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Contact Tanya Broadfield

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