Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment in respect of the ‘Refurbishing the City – Insights from Current Best Practice’ Report, which was one of the actions in the Climate Action Strategy’s Square Mile Project Plan for 2023/24.  The report presented evidence of current policy and practice in the refurbishment and retrofit of commercial buildings in the City, London and beyond.

Officers gave a presentation during which the following points were made:

•         There was an ambition for the square mile to be net zero by 2040.

•         Commercial buildings accounted for 65% of the emissions.

•         There was a shift towards retention of building or building elements in the City, in Central London and beyond, driven by landlords, develops, tenants and investors with their own sustainability goals and also being shaped by policy and regulatory framework.

•         The report pulled together 17 case studies from the City and beyond in different types of major commercial developments.

•         Publishing the report would highlight current policy and best practice and contribute to discussions and knowledge sharing.

•         The recommendations from the report would feed into planning guidance, and in particular the Sustainability SPD which would shortly be out for consultation.

A Member asked for clarification on the chart related to air conditioning. He also asked for the glossary. Officers advised they would circulate a response and the glossary to Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED, that -

1.        The report be approved for publication;

2.        The intention to develop a series of Square Mile Refurbishment Case Studies, drawing on the template set out in the report, be noted; and

3.        The proposal to share and discuss the findings through a dedicated event be noted.