What is a COP?

The United Nations (UN) annual climate change conference, also known as the ‘Conference of the Parties’ or ‘COP’, brings together world leaders, ministers, and negotiators to agree on how to address climate change.

Since 1995, almost every member nation on Earth has come together in a different country each year, except for 2020.

The UN describes the COP as “the supreme decision-making body” of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It includes representatives of all the countries that are signatories, known as parties, to the UNFCCC. During each COP, the parties review the progress towards the overall goal of the UNFCCC: to tackle climate change.

The negotiating parties include governments that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and/or the Paris Agreement. The COPs are also attended by thousands of representatives from civil society, the private sector, international organisations, and the media.

Why is this conference called COP28?

COP28 stands for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Where will COP28 be hosted?

The COP is hosted by a different country each year. COP28 will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will take place between 30 November–12 December 2023 in Dubai.

Why is COP28 important?

It is hoped COP28 will help keep alive the goal of limiting long-term global temperature rises to 1.5C. This was agreed by nearly 200 countries in Paris in 2015. The 1.5C target is crucial to avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change, according to the UN’s climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Long-term warming currently stands at about 1.1C or 1.2C compared with pre-industrial times – the period before humans started burning fossil fuels at scale. However, the world is on track for about 2.5C of warming by 2100 even with current pledges to tackle emissions. The window for keeping the 1.5C limit in reach “rapidly narrowing”, the UN says.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the COP28 talks and agendas to close the climate ambition gap. He also stated that “Leaders can’t kick the can any further. We’re out of road,” condemning a “failure of leadership, a betrayal of the vulnerable, and a massive, missed opportunity. As the reality of climate chaos pounds communities around the world – with ever fiercer floods, fires, and droughts – the chasm between need and action is more menacing than ever.”

What are the key issues to watch at COP28?

  • COP28 is important for several reasons, not least because it marks the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake (GST), the main mechanism through which progress under the Paris Agreement is assessed.
  • Getting the loss and damage fund (established at COP27) up and running and agreeing on a framework for the Paris Agreement’s Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
  • Other issues that are likely to receive much attention, and which may be reflected across several negotiating streams, include energy transition and food systems transformation.
  • Discussions and negotiations on climate finance.

For more information on COP28

www.evia.ie

https://unfccc.int/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143567

Considerations when planning a Solar PV Project

 

We are all familiar with the wider requirements for ESG compliance including improved sustainable real estate. Solar PV is considered a Sustainable Solution. Solar PV can benefit your real estate asset through;

  • Reduced operating costs.
  • Protecting your business against future price changes.
  • Gain Green Business Credentials.
  • Marketing your Green Initiatives.
  • Reduce CO2 Emissions.

However, installing Solar PV Systems can be a complex process with multiple considerations to be assessed. The team at Evia Sustainable Real Estate can coordinate and project manage the process to ensure that a Solar PV installation achieves your sustainability goals whilst adding value to your real estate.

Our in-depth knowledge and expertise can assist in the economic and application assessment of integrating Solar PV within an asset. Talk to Evia Sustainable Real Estate in advance of your next Solar PV Project.

Nabers UK

NABERS UK is an adaptation of the highly successful rating programme NABERS that operates in Australia. Launched in 1999, NABERS is widely considered to be a world-leading environmental performance rating tool for commercial buildings.

Energy for offices measures the energy efficiency of an operational office building based on metered data and rates its performance. Offices can be rated in three ways…

Read more

LEED

Read more

BREEAM

BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology. Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990, BREEAM evaluates a building’s environmental performance across a range of categories:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Water management
  • Waste reduction

How?

Assessments are carried out by independent assessors who evaluate the building’s

  • Design
  • Construction
  • Operation

The assessment process considers factors such as the building’s

  • Location
  • Materials used
  • The management of its environmental impact.

What value does it offer in-use?

  • Lower running costs. BIU identifies ways to continuously improve efficiencies through monitoring, evaluation and setting performance targets that are assessed against tangible benchmarks.
  • Increased asset value and recognition. Improved asset performance means that BREEAM-certified buildings support lower vacancy rates, higher rental premiums and provide a reputable and meaningful route to ESG.
  • Improved health and well-being. High standards of internal environments, such as air quality and lighting, and the promotion of active, healthy lifestyles are recognised to improve wellbeing, productivity and satisfaction of people living or working in the asset.
  • Recognising resilience. BIU considers an asset’s exposure to a range of risks from climate change and other drivers including flooding, pollution, natural hazards, and security.
  • Supporting a circular economy. BIU adopts circular economy concepts to rethink how resources are considered, from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ approach to a more efficient and circular approach towards waste and materials.
  • Bridging the performance gap. Measuring and understanding the performance of buildings helps achieve designed levels of performance. BIU users can start planning improvements and stimulating positive change based on actual performance data and transform modelled outputs into actual outputs.
  • Leading the way to net-zero carbon. The world is heading for a net-zero carbon future in response to global challenges and growing demand from consumers, governments, and investors. BIU provides a pathway towards achieving operational net-zero carbon and beyond, using an integrated energy tool to measure stepped performance that is based on robust research, development, and many years of experience as a world-leading environmental assessment methodology.

Have you considered ways to measure Water Conservation within your scheme?

It is crucial to prioritise and establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy for any asset. Some factors to consider include:

  • How much water are we using and for what?
  • Are conservation measures in place?
  • Are there any leaks?
  • Have we a Water Strategy and Water Management Plan with goals?

The primary water conservation objective of an asset is to conserve a natural commodity.  It is based on efficiencies like reduced flows, leak detection and the introduction of rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable use (e.g., toilets, general cleaning). Conserving water reduces the need for costly infrastructure expansion and maintenance, providing a positive impact on the environment and service charges.

 

Once you have developed and integrated water conservation, there is a secondary sustainable measure that can explored.

When we think about sustainability measures, several projects typically come to mind. Solar PV Panels, EV Charging Stations, LED Lighting, Rainwater Harvesting – the list goes on. Asset Managed Water Wells are one of the least utilised sustainability initiatives explored in Ireland. What a missed opportunity given the wet summer we just experienced!

Asset Managed Water Wells are renewable sources that have the potential to provide water to common area facilities such as toilets and tap water (not for consumption) in public spaces. Take shopping centres for example. There are a small number of shopping centres in Ireland that have implemented Asset Managed Water Wells, but why are more centres not doing the same? One barrier is that the drilling process on-site is not a simple option. The site must meet many conditions and most importantly, the drilling must find a water source.

Exploring the eligibility of your site is worthwhile. In line with a decision by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on non-domestic tariffs, a new set of national water and wastewater business charges came into effect on the 1st of October 2021. There has been no change to charges since 2014. Historically, customers would have paid charges based on their local authority. The newer system introduced four bands based on the level of usage. Having an Asset Managed Water Well on site would remove the need for public water which in turn would reduce water rates.

A well-developed and integrated strategy can be used in line with public water systems. This is a visionary objective that should be embraced to protect the long-term vulnerability of this natural resource. From a commercial perspective, the savings are significant.

Be a visionary! Talk to Evia Sustainable Real Estate or Bannon Property Management team in advance of your next budget year to discuss potential savings and projected payback.

 

Biodiversity and its positive effects – A small change to reduce an asset’s carbon impact.

Animal populations have experienced an average decline of almost 70% since 1970. This was a result of human actions, mostly in development and agriculture. These actions have led us to an era in which ecosystems are suffering losses that affect us, humans, too.

Deforestation, for instance, is one of the culprits in accelerating climate change. The loss of biodiversity is a serious problem and one that we must take seriously. It is not just about animals and plants, but also about humans. We cannot live without nature. The loss of biodiversity means losing the benefits it provides. The extinction of species has far-reaching effects on ecosystems and, consequently, on humans. A study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) shows that the disappearance of plants and animals can reduce crop yields by up to 30%.

There is a growing global concern over the rate at which species are disappearing. To face this challenge, corporations around the world have started to collaborate and pledge their commitment towards creating a more bio-diverse environment.

Eliminating bio-diversity loss isn’t just a goal for environmentalists, it is crucial to sustainable economies. Companies like McDonalds are leading the way toward more sustainable policies as well as implementing bio-diversity programs.

The benefits of wild meadows in retail and industrial parks are vast, growing, and complex. It’s hard not to feel concerned about what is happening to our planet through deforestation and climate change, so it’s great to see how meadows can give back.

Over the last few decades, wildflower meadows have become a positive force for change. They are helping to mitigate climate change and reduce the effects of pollution by trapping carbon dioxide, filtering air and water, creating habitats for wildlife, and providing pollinators with nectar.;

Evia carryout an extensive wilding project at Alexandra house for our Bannon Property Management.

Carbon Offsetting: Great Industry or Falsity? : The positives and negatives of carbon offsetting.

Carbon offsetting is becoming more popular, especially with companies who are passionate about protecting our planet. It’s also growing in popularity because it allows companies to make money from their efforts to reduce emissions. But is all this good news for the environment?

The idea behind carbon offsetting is simple: if you emit a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2), you can reduce your emission levels by investing in an alternative clean energy source. For example, if your company produces significant CO2 through its manufacturing processes – such as making plastic or paper products – it could invest in solar panels to produce power for its facility. The theory is that solar panels would offset the company’s CO2 emissions. In other words, it would be as if your company didn’t produce any CO2 at all.


However, there are some problems with this system – and they may not be immediately apparent to consumers who want to make a difference in their own lives and those of others. One of the biggest problems is that this method doesn’t actually reduce carbon emissions. All it does is offset them.

This means that you’re still producing greenhouse gasses but can offset their impact by introducing sustainable energy production. In theory, this would mean that a company could keep polluting while also helping the planet by offsetting its emissions.

The Positive Aspects of Offsetting:

It’s good for companies that are unable to make changes in their production and distribution processes. It allows them to be part of the solution without having to change their business model.

This is especially important for small businesses that don’t have the funds or resources to make these changes. This can help them avoid the high cost of pollution, which is a good thing. It helps companies that want to make changes but aren’t sure how. And good for those that have already made changes but want to be more sustainable.

Carbon offsetting is not a perfect solution to an increasingly urgent problem, but it is a step in the right direction.

What is Carbon Net-Zero?

Carbon net zero for investors and commercial asset owners

The growing demand of climate-conscious consumers is pushing the building industry to develop ‘carbon-neutral’ properties that use renewable energy sources for power, heating and cooling. Investors and commercial asset owners are looking for ways to mitigate their carbon emissions.

Carbon-neutral buildings are more efficient, use less water and generate less waste. These improvements can be achieved by using materials that require less energy to produce and install, as well as by designing buildings with improved thermal performance.

Creating a pathway to Carbon Net-Zero

Report: Identify the steps for reducing both direct and indirect emissions. Place a high priority on ESG throughout the life cycle of your investment.

Implement: Create a business case for climate strategy and understand the effects on your business/asset.  Engage a consultant to ensure that all ESG-related projects themselves are undertaken in an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable way.

Measure: Create an annual, ongoing process for measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. Implement a reporting platform which enables benching marking.

Improve: Drive continuous improvement by engaging with occupiers, staff, and customers. Establish an ongoing review process that assesses climate ambition and carbon reduction potential.

The Evia promise is to deliver all our services through a sustainability lens, taking a holistic view of the asset or portfolio. We are leading Ireland’s real estate on the journey to zero carbon. Talk to us today about your journey.

An interesting article on employers and ESG obligations by the Irish Times.

View Source – irishtimes.com

All employers in Ireland have ESG obligations and a strategy based on alignment with UN sustainability goals makes sense and creates a clear road map for tackling environmental impact.

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed upon by all UN member states, are designed to address some of the world’s most urgent sustainability challenges. Using the 17 goals as a way of benchmarking your ESG policy is a very effective way of creating well round policy.

Holistic approach to ESG policies:

  1. Every business or asset is different and an ESG strategy must be bespoke if it is to be effective.
  2. Establish your goals and desired outcomes.
  3. Engage with all stakeholders.
  4. Carry out a costing report.
  5. Appoint a ESG team lead or champion within your business.
  6. Certifications ensure showcase accountability.
  7. Include your supply in all ESG policies.
  8. Strategies need to evolve to all aspects of ESG and business operations.