In the dynamic world of retail, where every square foot counts, there lies a paradox: the very spaces that drive commerce also contribute significantly to our environmental footprint. Our latest whitepaper delves into this intricate relationship, revealing the hidden costs and opportunities for change. The paper introduces the concept of Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA), a comprehensive approach to understanding a building’s carbon emissions throughout its lifecycle, and its potential to inform strategies for emission reduction.
In the dynamic world of retail, where every square foot counts, there lies a paradox: the very spaces that drive commerce also contribute significantly to our environmental footprint. Our latest whitepaper delves into this intricate relationship, revealing the hidden costs and opportunities for change. The paper introduces the concept of Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA), a comprehensive approach to understanding a building’s carbon emissions throughout its lifecycle, and its potential to inform strategies for emission reduction.
Retail buildings are not just physical structures; they are significant catalysts in the life cycle emission, energy consumption and waste flow. The energy embodied in every stage of a building’s life—from its initial design and construction, through maintenance and renovation, to its operational stage—is a potent force driving climate change. In fact, buildings across Europe are responsible for absorbing 50% of all extracted materials and consuming 42% of the final energy, while contributing to
35% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 32% of waste flow (Gervasio & Dimova, 2019). This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action.
This call to action directs us towards the critical question of responsibility. Who should be held accountable for these emissions? The answer to this question is complex and multifaceted. In this context, the allocation of responsibility for a building’s emissions becomes a critical factor. This responsibility is often contingent upon the sector and the specific stipulations of the lease agreement. Frequently, the onus falls on the occupant or leaseholder, especially in sectors such as retail where the tenant exercises substantial control over the building’s operations.
In this whitepaper, you will read more about:
- The role of WLCA in providing a comprehensive view of a building’s carbon emissions and identifying key areas for emission reduction.
- The unique challenges and opportunities in assessing and managing whole life carbon emissions in the retail building portfolio.
- The importance of technology enablers and data sharing in supporting WLCA and facilitating effective carbon management strategies.
- The critical role of scenario planning in enabling retailers to simulate the response of their building portfolio to various carbon reduction strategies.
- The potential benefits of implementing WLCA within the retail building stock, including carbon visibility, cost reductions, compliance with regulations, and improved customer experience.
Maria Nikolaidou, Lead of Sustainable Retail and Consumer Goods, Cognizant